Welcome to the A-Z of recycling, an on-line directory of recycling information for Warwickshire. If an item you are looking for is not listed below, please contact us.
A
Aerosols
Recycle your aerosol cans in your kerbside recycling bin or box.
Ensure wherever possible, that your aerosol is completely used up before you put it in your kerbside recycling bin or box.
Do not pierce, crush or flatten the aerosol before recycling.
Detach any loose or easily removable parts, such as the plastic lid, and recycle where possible. Don’t worry about removing the plastic nozzle – this will be removed during the recycling process.
Aerosols can be found all over the house, including the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom – so remember to leave no stone unturned!
Aluminium cans, foil and other items
Recycle aluminium cans and foil at all Household Waste Recycling Centres in Warwickshire or place in your kerbside recycling box or bin.
Please wash and squash cans to prevent smells and protect wildlife.
If it is a household item such as a saucepan and still in good condition offer items for re-use.
Animal bedding
- Hay, straw and sawdust can be added to your home compost bin.
- Used hay, straw and sawdust bedding from ‘vegetarian’ animals such as rabbits or guinea pigs can be put in your household garden waste collection (green wheeled bin). Alternatively, it can be taken to a recycling centre and recycled with garden waste at all of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in Warwickshire.
- Pet waste such as cat litter and dog poo should be bagged and put in the general waste bin.
- Old pet blankets or beds made from fabric – please see Clothing and Textiles.
If in doubt, always check with your local council.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate material which was widely used as a building material in the UK before 1999. When asbestos fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases, which are responsible for around 4,500 deaths a year. Asbestos is regarded as the greatest single cause of work-related deaths in the UK.
If you have asbestos to dispose of, we would recommend you contact a private waste contractor who is registered to handle the material. You can find these specialists by contacting members of the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association or visit our hazardous and restricted waste page.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Ash
Ash from wood fires which doesn’t contain toxic material can be used on your garden as it contains valuable minerals which improve soil quality. You can also add it to your home compost bin.
B
Bathroom suites
Unwanted bathroom suites can be offered for re-use or taken to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Batteries
Household batteries – can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or at battery recycling points provided by most major retailers. You may also be able to recycle your batteries as part of your kerbside collection, check with your local council.
Car batteries – can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Bedding
Unwanted bedding in good condition can be offered for re-use.
If the bedding is not in good condition take it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre and place it in the textile bank (no duvets, pillows or quilts). Please also see clothing and textiles.
Bicycles
If your bicycle is beyond repair take it to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre and place it in the scrap metal skip.
Bicycles requiring repairs can be taken to the Action 21 Reuseful Centre.
Biscuit wrappers
TerraCycle recycle collected biscuit wrappers into useful products.
Books
Unwanted books can be offered for re-use, taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or even sold using sites such as Amazon and Zapper.co.uk or swapped on bookcrossing.com. For more information, visit www.recyclenow.com.
Bras
Unwanted bras can be passed onto national charities such as Against Breast Cancer, the Breast Cancer Campaign and Oxfam for recycling. They raise funds for the charities and most bras are sent to developing countries where these items are not readily available. You can find your nearest collection point on their websites.
Alternatively donate your bra to your local charity shop – make sure they accept bras though as not all accept items of underwear unless it is new.
Charity recycling bags that come through your door often take bras – check the list of items normally shown on the bag.
If unsuitable for re-use just recycle them in the clothing and textile containers at household waste recycling centres.
Brita water filter cartridges
Find out where you can recycle your Brita water filter cartridges.
Did you know you can also recycle your filters at all Argos and Homebase stores?
Building waste
Please see DIY Waste.
C
Caravans
Have you tried offering your unwanted caravan for re-use.
Otherwise, search online for more information for a local car and commercial vehicle dismantler or scrap merchant.
Car batteries
Please see batteries.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Card and cardboard
Card and cardboard can be recycled in your recycling bin at home or at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Card and cardboard can also be a useful addition to your compost bin.
Cards (greetings)
You may be able to recycle plain cards in your recycling bin at home. Please check with your local council (please exclude any that are highly metallic or glittered).
Carpets and rugs
Unwanted carpets and rugs in good condition can be offered for re-use.
Carpets can be recycled at some of the Household Waste Recycling Centres. Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Carrier bags
Some supermarkets offer recycling facilities for plastic bags. However, re-using plastic bags or replacing them with re-usable cotton or jute bags is the best environmental option.
Plastic bags should never be placed in either your green wheeled bin or your recycling bin.
Cars (end of life vehicles)
If you have a car that you would like to dispose of, you need to find your nearest Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF).
You can do this by contacting Rewarding Recycling on 0800 542 2002, or Cartakeback on 0330 066 9585.
ATF’s are sites which have been licensed by the Environment Agency to de-pollute end of life vehicles to standards set by Defra. Only ATFs are permitted to issue last owners with a DVLA Certificate of Destruction.
Alternatively look up a local car and commercial vehicle dismantler online for more information.
Cartons (food and drink)
You may be able to recycle food and drink cartons in your recycling bin at home. Please check with your local council.
Cartons can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Catalogues
Place these in with your paper/cardboard recycling or take to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
CDs and DVDs
Your local Library hires out CDs and DVDs saving you money and reducing rubbish.
CDs and DVDs can all be re-used once you have finished with them:
- Take them to your nearest charity shop or a local jumble sale;
- Offer the items on Freegle or Freecycle;
- Hang CD’s in your garden to scare away birds. They don’t like the random glare the CD gives off when it reflects the sun and is moved by the wind.
Unwanted items in good condition can be offered for re-use or taken your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or even sold using sites such as Amazon and Zapper.co.uk or swapped on bookcrossing.com. For more information, visit www.recyclenow.com.
Ceramics and china
Ceramic or china items that are in good condition, can be taken to your local charity shop or Household Waste Recycling Centre. Alternatively items can be offered for re-use .
Broken pieces of china and ceramics can be used as crocks to place in the bottom of plant pots.
Please note: Ceramics and china cannot be recycled and should be placed in your rubbish bin.
Chemicals
All hazardous and chemical waste that is destined for disposal must be cleanly and safely packaged in a container suitable for the purpose, clearly labelled and submitted for disposal. Please visit the hazardous and chemical household waste webpage for disposal advise.
Christmas trees
Take your real Christmas tree to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre and place in the green waste container/skip .
Real Christmas trees may be collected alongside your green wheeled bin please check with your local council.
Clingfilm
Plastic films aren’t usually accepted as part of your household recycling scheme or at your local recycling centres. However, some types of plastic films can be recycled in the carrier bag collection points at the larger stores of most major supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, The Co-op and Waitrose.
Clothing and textiles
Clean and dry items in can be donated to jumble sales and charity shops or taken your nearest household waste recycling centre (HWRC) and place in the textile bank. Please also see bedding.
Did you know: In Warwickshire 10% of any income generated from the sale of textiles from the recycling centre is donated to Guide Dogs.
Your local council may also offer a free textiles collection service please contact them to find out if textiles are collected.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Coffee pods
The single-use pods used in many coffee machines are not accepted in your recycling collections from home. However, some types/brands of coffee pods (and other difficult-to-recycle items) are collected by a company called TerraCycle who recycle them to create new products such as plastic baby bibs, notebook covers and park benches.
The TerraCycle website explains more about their scheme, the other items they collect and how you can get involved.
Coins and stamps
Out of circulation coins and foreign coins are a good way to raise money for charity. Oxfam and the RNIB can find a home for collectors items including coins and stamps.
Composting
Composting is a natural process which produces a rich soil conditioner free of charge. The basic principle is to collect uncooked kitchen and garden waste in a heap or bin which will then start to compost. Alternatively all food (cooked and uncooked) and garden waste can be placed in your green wheeled bin for composting.
For more information, to buy a compost bin or to book a place on a free workshop, visit our composting pages.
Computer equipment
There are a number of organisations that will reuse old computer equipment, this is not only good for the environment but also gives people from all walks of life access to inexpensive computers through refurbishment programmes.
If you have a computer that is not suitable for reuse, please take it along to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centres and deposit in the small WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic and Electrical Equipment) container.
Cookers
See Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) for further information related to both electric and gas cookers as they classed as large domestic appliances and treated in the same way.
Cooking oil
Cooking oil can be recycled at some of the Household Waste Recycling Centres. Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where (map).
Cooking oil can cause problems for the environment if not disposed of properly. It should not be put down surface drains as it can contaminate drinking water and can be very harmful to wildlife.
As an alternative to disposal, leftover cooking oil can be used as a substitute for creosote which is now banned. It is a good preservative, does not discolour wood and is safe to use near animals and plants.
D
DIY Waste
Some unwanted DIY materials may be suitable for reuse e.g brick, slabs etc
For further information on the disposal of DIY materials such as paint, hardcore/rubble/soil and plasterboard please see restricted waste and/or commercial/chargeable waste.
E
Easter egg packaging
Cardboard, foil and plastic packaging can be recycled in your kerbside recycling collection.
Egg boxes
Egg boxes that are made from card can be composted and may be accepted in with your kerbside recycling collection.
Egg shells
Egg shells are a good way to add lime to your compost to reduce its acidity which creatures such as worms dislike. Worms are an important part of the composting process.
Egg shells can be a slug deterrent – crush them and sprinkle them around your prized plants.
Electrical and electronic goods
See Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) for further information.
Engine oil
Please see Oil for more information.
Envelopes
Envelopes may be collected for recycling. Please check with your local council.
F
Feathers
Feathers can be composted in your compost bin.
Fire extinguishers
These must be treated as Hazardous waste and not placed in your rubbish bin.
The correct way to dispose of a fire extinguisher is;
- return to the supplier if possible. Some companies will recondition units or take them in exchange for a new unit purchased;
- pressurised (undischarged) units can be taken to Princes Drive, Hunters Lane or Lower House Farm recycling centres for a minimum charge of £6.00 (depending on size – larger units may be more).
- completely empty units (totally discharged prior to arrival with no tops fitted or valves completely removed) can be accepted free of charge at the above locations – please see site staff on arrival.
- Contact a waste collection company who are licensed to take hazardous waste.
Fluorescent tubes
Fluorescent tubes can be recycled at all our Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Householders may deposit a maximum of 3 fluorescent tubes per month. Excess quantities are chargeable – visit our commercial waste page.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Foil
Recycle foil at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or within your kerbside recycling collection.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Many foil items can be recycled, such as take-away trays, pie and quiche cases and oven-ready meal trays. Remember to clean foil before you recycle it.
However, not all products that appear to be aluminium foil are recyclable. For example, some crisp packets can look like aluminium, but they are actually made from metallised plastic and cannot be recycled. Try the scrunch test to find out which one it is – if it stays scrunched it can be recycled.
Aluminium is the only packaging material where its value exceeds the costs of collection and processing at recycling centres. Other major factors in its favour are:
- recycling can be repeated many times without loss of quality;
- the energy required to produce recycled aluminium is only 5% of that required for primary production from bauxite.
Food waste
Fruit and vegetable scraps can be home composted with garden waste to produce a rich soil conditioner. Do not home compost meat.
Food waste including meat and fish can be placed in a Green Cone or a Green Johanna which can be purchased at discount prices.
Food waste is accepted in the green bin in some areas of the County. Check with your District or Borough Council for details.
Fridges and freezers
Under the WEEE directive distributors and retailers who supply fridges and freezers to householders must ensure they can be returned on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis, free of charge, by offering a free in store take back facility or by paying into a fund to provide alternative sites. Distributors and retailers must inform customers how and when they can do this.
If you are disposing of a domestic fridge or freezer, your waste collection authority (district or borough council) is obliged to provide a collection service for bulky items, although they can charge a collection fee.
Alternatively, you can take your appliance in a car to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for disposal free of charge (fridges and freezers are not accepted at Wellesbourne).
Bulky household electrical and electronic equipment, including fridges and freezers, may also delivered in a van to Household Waste Recycling Centres. This is provided that they are not accompanied by other waste and that the person delivering the items can satisfy the operator of the centre that the items are not commercial (trade) waste.
Commercial fridges and freezers are only accepted at Princes Drive recycling centre in Leamington Spa and a charge applies.
If local traders offer to collect and dispose of your appliance you can help the environment by checking that they intend to dispose of it in accordance with the law. If you are unsure, contact your local office of the Environment Agency or your local District or Borough Council.
In some areas, local traders or charities may accept appliances if they are in good working order search online for charities.
Fly tipping is illegal and dumped refrigerators and freezers pose a real hazard to small children, pets and wildlife who could become harmed if trapped inside.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Furniture
There are several community furniture re-use groups across Warwickshire – many of whom are able to collect reusable furniture from your door or accept donations at their warehouse premises. The reuse shop at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre may also be interested in pieces of reusable furniture subject to stock capacity.
You could offer your items on Freegle or Freecycle
Furniture that can not be reused but will fit in a car can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
If your item of furniture is not re-usable and beyond refurbishment please contact your local Council’s bulky waste collection service.
G
Garden tools
If your garden tool is in working condition and has value, try selling it in a local free advertising newspaper. Pass it on to a friend, take it to a car boot sale or your local jumble sale. Instead of buying tools, why not hire them?
Take your tools to the reuse shop at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
You could offer your items on Freegle or Freecycle
Recycle old tools in the scrap metal skip at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Garden waste
Garden waste is biodegradable and can be home composted at home.
Household Waste Recycling Centres will take green garden waste – please ensure that you do not put plastic bags in with the green waste.
Put it in your green wheelie bin for collection. If you do not have a green wheelie bin contact your local District or Borough Council for details.
Gas bottles
Empty gas bottles should be returned to the original supplier or manufacturer (the manufacturer is normally identified on the side of bottle) this can be done usually by returning it to the original supplier. Alternatively check the websites below for your nearest stockist.
Please see our Hazardous waste page for details on how to dispose of them at recycling centres.
Please note
- We cannot accept halon fire extinguishers. Please search for a relevant waste management company and permitted facility using an internet search
- From 3rd April 2018 we will no longer be accepting any gas bottles or cylinders marked “BOC” or “British Oxygen Company” at any of our centres. These must be processed by your local BOC depot. BOC gas bottle and cylinder disposal – find out more.
Glass
Glass can be recycled indefinitely without compromising quality. It takes less energy to recycle glass than to melt down the original raw materials. Currently, only around a third of all glass packaging is recycled, the rest goes into landfill sites, wasting natural resources.
Recycling facilities can be found at your local supermarket, mini recycling centres, the Household Waste Recycling Centres and kerbside collections (ask your local District or Borough Council for details).
Please do not place Pyrex or sheet glass in your kerbside recycling bin or in the glass recycling bank.
Glasses
- Ask your optician if they collect old spectacles. Many do – they are donated to charities who send them to developing countries
- Vision Aid Overseas can help you find an optician in your area who collect old spectacles
- Search online – many charities will accept unwanted spectacles
Grass
Grass can be home composted but must be mixed with equal quantities of dry materials such as twiggy material, leaves or scrunched up newspaper to stop it from becoming soggy and smelly.
Greetings cards
See Cards.
H
Hair
Hair can be home composted.
Hardcore, rubble and soil
For more information please visit our Hazardous and restricted waste page.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Hard Plastics
Hearing Aids
Collection points for hearing aids can often be found at Doctors surgeries, Hospital audiology departments, Private hearing specialists, some charity shops i.e. Help the Aged and Age Concern and organisations such as The Lions Clubs These collections are usually charity based. Donated hearing aids are repaired, refurbished and sent overseas for re-use in developing countries. Batteries for hearing aids are also wanted.
Household waste
Household waste can be taken to all our Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Visit the household waste page for more information about how to dispose of bulky waste, furniture reuse, junkmail and more.
I
Inhalers
You can now recycle them for the first time in a new scheme, instead of sending them to landfill. Find out where to recycle your old inhalers.
Ironing Boards
Most ironing boards are made from metal and can be recycled at all of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in Warwickshire. Just remember to remove the fabric cover and place in the ‘Textiles’ container for recycling and place the metal ironing board in the container marked ‘Metals’.
J
Junk mail
It may not be as simple as you would like, but it is possible to stop junk mail completely. Follow the guide to stopping junk mail.
K
Kitchen or toilet roll
Kitchen and toilet roll centres are made from cardboard and are compostable.
All Household Waste Recycling Centres offer facilities for recycling cardboard.
Try to use a re-usable j-cloth (often made out of recycled material) instead of disposable kitchen roll. It will save you money in the long run and reduce your rubbish.
Buy recycled loo roll made from recycled paper.
Kitchen knives
All metal knives can be taken to your recycling centre where there will be a skip for scrap metal.
L
Lawnmowers
Electric lawnmowers are classed as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and can be recycled at most of the Warwickshire household waste recycling centres with other electrical items.
Petrol lawnmowers can be placed in the scrap metal skip for recycling. Please make sure that the petrol tank is completely empty.
Push lawnmowers are generally made from metal and can be placed in the scrap metal skip for recycling. If the grass collection bin is made from plastic, this should be removed. Staff at the recycling centre will be able to advise which container you should put this in.
Light bulbs
Fluorescent tubes, sodium lamps and low energy light bulbs can be recycled at your local recycling centre across the County just take it to the fluorescent bulbs section.
Where possible please deposit light bulbs carefully to avoid breakages to prevent the release of toxic dust and vapours and prevent cuts.
If a light bulb needs replacing try using an energy efficient bulb instead. See energy efficient light bulbs.
Both standard and energy efficient light bulbs can be safely recycled at any Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Loft insulation
Old loft insulation is only accepted if you are re-insulating the loft yourself. Please ensure material is wrapped up securely. Please note the loft insulation must not contain or be suspected to contain any asbestos material (see asbestos).
When re-insulating it is normally best to add the next layer of insulation on top of the existing insulation.
M
Magazines
Magazines can be recycled with newspapers at paper recycling banks. Your local District or Borough Council provides a kerbside collection service for paper
Once you have read your magazine why not offer it to friends and family to read or local dentists and doctors surgeries for use in the waiting areas.
Material
Before taking any spare material to the textile bank, why not offer it to friends and relatives or take it to your nearest charity shop or jumble sale or local school.
Offer your material on Freegle or Freecycle.
If the material can’t be re-used, take it to your nearest textile recycling bank. All of the Household Waste Recycling Centres offer textile recycling facilities. Check with your local District or Borough Council if they offer a collection service at kerbside.
Mattresses
Mattresses can be recycled at Burton Farm, Cherry Orchard, Hunters Lane, Princes Drive and Lower House Farm or accepted as residual waste at Judkins, Shipston, Stockton and Wellesbourne. Check with Recycling Centre staff before deposit.
Alternatively your waste collection authority (district of borough council) can collect them from your home (although they may charge a collection fee).
Alternatively, if the mattresses are reasonably clean, you could offer them to Freegle or Freecycle users.
Medicines
Take them to your local pharmacy where the pharmacist will dispose of them free of charge.
Don’t throw old medicines in the dustbin.
Don’t flush medicines down the toilet – they can pollute the water supply.
Metal
Metal household items can be taken to your Household Waste Recycling Centre and put in the Scrap Metal area.
Mobile phones
There are many charities that raise money by collecting old mobile phones. Alternatively, they can be placed in the ‘small WEEE’ containers available at all Household Waste Recycling Centres where all proceeds go to Warwickshire Air Ambulance. Please make sure you remove any sim cards or memory cards from your phone.
Alternatively you can make money from your recycling your old mobile phone. To find out how much it could be worth check out the below websites. (inclusion in this list does not mean that Warwickshire County Council endorses the company in anyway):
Monitors
Recycle your monitors and TV’s at your local Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
N
Nappies
Disposable nappies makes up 6%of the County’s household waste – that’s over 5000 tonnes per year! They can take up to 500 years to decompose, more if disposed of in a plastic bag.
Each household with a baby in disposable nappies generates an extra bag of rubbish each week.
Cotton nappies are a good way of reducing this rubbish. Warwickshire County Council fund a free 2 week washable nappy trial for parents to ‘try before buy’.
For more information visit our cotton nappies webpages.
Newspapers
Newspaper can be recycled at your kerbside. Check with your District or Borough Council for details. Alternatively, take them to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre or supermarket recycling facility.
O
Oil
Engine oil
Engine oil is classed as hazardous waste and must be disposed of correctly in order to prevent harm to the environment. Pouring engine oil down the drain can harm wildlife by removing vital oxygen from watercourses and clogging feathers and gills.
You can recycle engine oil at all of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in Warwickshire, please ask an advisor on site where to place your oil. You should also contact your district or borough council to find out if they collect engine oil at the kerbside.
Householders may deposit a maximum of 10 litres per month of engine oil. Oil should be brought onto site in a sealed container and poured into the engine oil collection tank.
Cooking oil
Pouring cooking oil down sink plugholes or the sewer should be avoided as it can cause a build up of grease and create blockages. Inappropriate disposal to surface water drains pollutes watercourses and can damage vegetation and wildlife.
You can recycle your used cooking oil at Hunters Lane, Princes Drive, Cherry Orchard and Burton Farm and Stockton Household Waste Recycling Centres.
As an alternative to disposal, leftover cooking oil can be used as a substitute for creosote. It is a good preservative, does not discolour wood and is safe to use near animals and plants.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Ovens
See Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) for further information related to both electric and gas cookers as they classed as large domestic appliances and treated in the same way.
P
Paint
Before buying paint use the paint calculator to work out how many litres you need.
Small amounts of non-reusable water based paint can be disposed of by fully drying out your part used tins and disposing in your normal rubbish bin. This should not be done with solvent/oil based paint (those that you need to clean brushes with white spirit/turpentine/solvent based brush cleaner), lead based paint, paint with a hazardous label or any other liquid chemicals.
Large amounts of non-reusable paint will need to be disposed of in a specific way at our Household Waste and Recycling Centres. All visits must be pre-booked and are limited to one visit per household per month. How to book.
Empty paint cans (including spray cans) can be taken to any of Warwickshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres. Empty metal paint cans can be disposed of in the scrap metal container. Empty plastic cans can be disposed of in the waste to landfill container or put in your general waste kerbside bin.
Keeping left over paint
Ensure the lid is on securely and tightly to stop it drying out; tip the container upside down for a few seconds (this will help stop a skin forming on the paint); store the paint containers in an upright position and away from frost and extreme temperatures as these can damage the paint.
Donate it
Paint suitable for being reused can be donated to the 2nd Chance Furniture Store(full tins of paint only) in Nuneaton. Or reuse networks such as Freegle and Freecycle.
Pallets
Pallets are considered to be commercial waste and may sometimes be returned to the originator for re-use. Blue pallets are legally owned the CHEP company and should be returned directly to them either through the company they were obtained from or to CHEP directly. For a free collection, telephone or e-mail them on 0800 515 320 or collect@chep.com or visit their website for further details at www.chep.com.
Paper
Recycling is the accepted best practical environmental option for waste paper, even accounting for the resources used and pollutants produced in collection and reprocessing. The main environmental benefits are summarised below:
- The manufacture of virgin paper is highly energy demanding, and produces large amounts of air and water pollutants. In comparison, producing recycled paper requires around 28% lower energy consumption, and involves greatly less chemical treatment.
- Recovering paper for recycling reduces the quantity going to landfill.
- Although the majority of timber and pulp is imported from managed forests in Scandinavia and North America, a significant quantity also derives from a wide range of countries and forest types. It is well established that some forest clearance for pulp is environmentally damaging. This has major ecological consequences, including reduction in species and structural diversity and acidification of soil.
Paper recycling facilities are available at:
- most local supermarkets;
- Household Waste Recycling Centres;
- kerbside collection in all areas.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
For more information contact your local District or Borough Council.
Pillows
If the pillow is in good condition take it to your nearest charity shop or offer them on Freegle or Freecycle. Don’t forget that feathers can be composted!
Plasterboard and gypsum
For more information please visit our Hazardous and restricted waste page.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Plastic bottles, tubs and trays (soft and mixed plastic)
Plastic recycling facilities are available at all of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in Warwickshire. Before visiting the site please remove any lids from bottles, and wash and squash the plastic to reduce odours and increase the loads collected. Your district or borough council is responsible for the kerbside collection of plastic.
The Household Waste Recycling Centres in Warwickshire collect plastic bottles, tubs and trays. e.g. soft drink bottles, plastic milk bottles, shampoo bottles, household cleaning product bottles, yogurt pots, plastic fruit and vegetable trays.
There are a number of reasons why we should recycle our plastic:
- Plastic is believed to take around 500 years to decompose;
- A more serious problem with plastic is the additives contained in them. Additives such as colorants, stabilisers and plasticisers which may contain toxic components such as cadmium and lead;
- Conservation of non-renewable fuels and energy;
- The energy savings are sufficient to power a 60W lightbulb for six hours, for each bottle recycled! (Recoup);
- Reduced emissions of CO2 and nitrogen oxide.
To find out lots more information about plastic waste visit the pledge for plastics web site
Polystyrene
Polystyrene can exist in many forms some of which can currently be recycled as plastic within your kerbside bin or box and some which currently can’t.
Any polystyrene used as a plastic pot, tub or tray for example a yoghurt pot, a margarine pot or food tray, can be recycled alongside your plastic bottles. Just remember to rinse them first.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS), which is often used as packaging, including that used for take-away food, cannot be recycled and should be placed in your grey/black bin or general waste bin at your Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Polystyrene used for products such as CD cases, disposable cutlery or even for disposable razors cannot be recycled and should also be placed in your grey/black bin or in with the general waste at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Plastic bags
Did you know: Many single use carrier bags are made of oil based plastic, which is a non-renewable resource. Each plastic bag can take up to 500 to 1000 years to decompose, and may never break-down in landfill.
Take your own reusable shopping bags next time you visit the supermarket. Here are some tips to help you remember your bags:
- keep them in the boot of your car;
- keep a fold up type fabric bag in your handbag or coat pocket – then you always have it with you;
- get your children involved, they are great at remembering things and reminding you;
- at work, set up a carrier bag dispenser where people regularly pass in the staff room or by the entrance so they can pick them up.
Some supermarkets offer a plastic carrier bag recycling point.
Never place plastic bags in your recycling bin (recycling should go in loose) or in your green wheeled bin (they contaminate the organic compost).
Hard Plastics
Can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre which are Burton Farm, Cherry Orchard, Princes Drive, Hunters Lane and Lower House Farm.
Here is a list of what items are accepted.
- Crates and Boxes
- Collapsible Crates
- Pallets
- Trays
- Garden Furniture
- Water Containers
- Buckets, Bowls and Baskets
- Bins and Recycling Boxes
- Yellow Gas Pipes
- Orange Construction Netting
- Traffic cones
- Safety Barriers
- Blue Water Pipes
- Black Rigid Pipes
- Acrylic/Polycarbonate and Correx Sheets
- Children’s Large Garden Toys
Plastic bottles
Your District or Borough Council may collect plastic bottles at the kerbside.
You can recycle your plastic bottles at all of the County’s Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Please remember to wash and squash your plastic bottles before recycling them.
Plastic film
Leading supermarket groups are taking back clean plastic film at their larger stores. This is normally at the in-store carrier bag recycling points. Participating stores include Asda, Sainsbury, Co-op, Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose.
Accepted types of plastic film
Any low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film which is sometimes marked with a number 4:
- plastic wrappers from bakery goods
- plastic breakfast cereal liners
- plastic toilet roll wrappers
- plastic bags from fruit and veg
- plastic carrier bags
- plastic bread bags
- plastic freezer bags
- plastic magazine wrap
- plastic shrink wrap
Not accepted types of plastic film
- bubble wrap
- cling film
If you are unsure look out for the label on the packet which should say “recycle with your carrier bags at larger stores – not at the kerbside”.
What happens to the plastic film?
The supermarkets collect it at the front of the store and then they use “reverse haulage” so when new stock is delivered the empty truck takes away all their plastic wrapping. The plastic is recycled at a variety of UK reprocessors who use it to make recycled plastic carrier bags and rubbish bags.
Why recycle plastic film?
The average household gets through about 25 kg of plastic film each year – that’s nearly 5,700 tonnes a year in Warwickshire alone.
Printer cartridges
Printer cartridges can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our interactive map.
For the best ways to recycle both ink and toner cartridges visit www.stinkyink.com
Epson have a recycling programme. Order envelopes for returning Epson inkjet cartridges.
Every year tens of million of inkjet and toner cartridges are thrown away. Recycling cartridges not only reduces waste, but also reduces the need for raw materials; each laser cartridge that is recycled conserves the equivalent of approximately one litre of oil.
Pyrex
While pyrex ovenware is a type of glass – it has been specially treated in the manufacturing process to withstand high temperatures, which makes it non-recyclable.
If you have broken or chipped pyrex ovenware to get rid of, do not recycle it with other glass items. Simply dispose of it carefully in your rubbish bin.
Q
R
Radios
Wind up radios don’t require batteries nor mains electricity and therefore have less impact on the environment.
If you have a radio that you would like to dispose of but still works, please offer it to your local charity shop, the Reuse Shop at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or offer it on Freegle or Freecycle
Radios are covered by the WEEE Directive (see electrical items). Recycle at your household Waste Recycling Centre.
Records
Vinyl isn’t recyclable but records if still in good condition can be taken to a reuse shop or a local charity shop or you might be able to sell them at a car boot or online on websites like eBay and Gumtree. There are still some companies that are interested in buying your old vinyl records including Cash4records, Vinyl Exchange and Vinyl Records.
Alternatively pass them on to family and friends or offer them online at sites like Freecycle and Freegle.
Rubble and soil
For more information please visit our Hazardous and restricted waste page.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Residents should be using bulk bag services offered from local DIY stores or skip hire for more substantial works.
S
Sewing machines
If the sewing machine is still in working order take it to your nearest charity shop or offer it on Freegle or Freecycle
If it is not in working order, take it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Shoes
If you don’t want to keep a pair of shoes you can take them to your nearest charity shop, or recycle your shoes at your nearest Shoe Bank, available at some supermarkets and Household Waste Recycling Centre. Please ensure that shoes are secured together in their pair.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
(Spectacles) Glasses
- Ask your optician if they collect old spectacles. Many do – they are donated to charities who send them to developing countries
- Vision Aid Overseas can help you find an optician in your area who collect old spectacles
- Search online – many charities will accept unwanted spectacles
Stamps
Oxfam and the RNIB can find a home for collectors items including stamps. Once you have collected a bag full pop them into your local Oxfam shop or alternatively, for the RNIB send them to:
RNIB
Stamp Recycling
PO Box 185
Benfleet
SS7 9BH
telephone
0845 3450054.
Steel
Please wash out your steel cans and crush to prevent smells and protect wildlife.
Recycle steel cans at the kerbside, most supermarkets and your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Sticky Tape
Sticky tape is not recyclable and should be thrown away in your rubbish bin. Try to remove all loose strands of sticky tape (where possible) from cardboard boxes and wrapping paper before you recycle them.
T
Tassimo Cartridges
Warwick District Council are working with Tassimo and Suez to pilot a scheme to recycle Tassimo discs. The scheme is currently only available in Warwick District but may be expanded if successful. Watch the video and click on the link to sign up; sign up
Telephone (landline)
Disposal of landline telephones will depend on whether or not it is rented or owned by you.
Rental telephone
If you have a rental telephone that you would like to dispose of call 100 when the rental has ceased. You will receive a padded envelope in the post for you to send it back in. The telephone will be sent to the contractor who rented out the telephone and will be assessed for re-use and recycling.
Privately owned telephone
If you own the telephone and it no longer works, please take it along to your local Household Waste Recycling Centres and place it with the ‘Electrical Equipment’ items. If your telephone still works take it along to your local charity shop.
Telephone directories
Telephone directories are collected at the kerbside and can be put in paper recycling banks. Please do not put Yellow Pages in the paper recycling banks unless otherwise stated on the side of the bank.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Thermometers
All potentially hazardous or chemical waste must be disposed of correctly in order to prevent harm to the environment.
Please visit the Hazardous and chemical household waste webpage for advise on disposal.
Toner cartridges
There are many charities that can raise money from your old toner cartridge – just search the web to find a charity of your choice.
For more information on how to recycle your cartridges, please visit the everycartridge website.
Toys
If your old toys are in good condition take them to your nearest charity shop, the Reuse Shop at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or offer your items on Freegle or Freecycle
Please do not put plastic toys in with the plastic recycling at Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Tyres
For more information please visit our Hazardous and restricted waste page.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
TVs and monitors
If your appliance is still working, take them to the Reuse Shop at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or offer your it on Freegle or on Freecycle
TV’s and monitors can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Find your local recycling centre using our what you can take where map.
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Umbrellas
Umbrellas are always useful particularly with the British weather. If you have an old umbrella that you don’t want, take it to your nearest charity shop and give someone else the opportunity to keep dry.
V
Vacuum cleaners
Ask your retailer if they offer a take back service for your old appliance.
Alternatively vacuum cleaners should be taken to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centres and placed with other electrical goods.
If your Vacuum is in working order take it along to the Reuse Shop at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or offer your items on or Freegle or Freecycle
Video tapes
Offer your videos Freegle or Freecycle.
At present there aren’t any video tape recycling points in and around Warwickshire. Until a suitable recycler is found, please place tapes in your waste bin at home or in the non recyclable waste at the Recycling Centres.
W
Water butts
Water butts are available from Severn Trent Water. Call Severn Trent Waters 24 hour credit card hotline 0845 1308686 and quote SEV15E.
Water filter cartridges(Brita)
Find out where you can recycle your Brita water filter cartridges.
Did you know you can also you can also recycle your filters at all Argos and Homebase stores.
Wood
Take untreated wood to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre and place in the section for wood.
Find which recycling centre you can take this item to using our what you can take where map.
Wool
Take your unwanted wool to your local charity shop or offer it to friends and family. The Cats Protection League have volunteers who use the wood to knit blankets to keep fostered cats warm and the blankets then get re-homed with the cat. Please call their helpline on 01926 334849 or e-mail enquiries@midwarkscats.org.uk
X
Xylophone
If you have a musical instrument which still works you can donate it to local theatrical groups and music groups or advertise it on Freegle or Freecycle
Y
Yellow pages
Yellow Pages can be placed in your kerbside recycling scheme or taken to recycling facilities in your area or recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centres.
North Warwickshire
If you live in North Warwickshire you can place your old Yellow Pages in your red wheelie bin for kerbside collection. For more information on your kerbside collection scheme contact North Warwickshire Borough Council on 01827 719404.
Nuneaton and Bedworth
Residents in Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough can recycle their Yellow Pages in the brown wheelie bin for kerbside collection and at paper recycling banks around the borough. For more information on this service please contact Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council on 024 7637 6170.
Rugby
If you live in Rugby Borough, you can place your old Yellow Pages in any of the paper banks around the borough or in your blue lid recycling bin. For more information please contact Rugby Borough Council on 01788 533328.
Stratford-upon-Avon
If you live in Stratford on Avon District you can place your old Yellow Pages in any of the paper banks around the district and can be put in your blue lidded bin. For more information on your kerbside collection scheme contact Stratford District Council on 01789 267 575.
Warwick
If you live in Warwick District you can place your old Yellow Pages in the red box to be collected all year round. For more information on your kerbside collection scheme contact Warwick District Council on 01926 412464.
Z
Zimmerframes
Disability aids such as wheelchairs, beds and mattresses, walking aids (sticks, frames and crutches), hoists and bathroom aids (bath boards and lifts and toilet aids) can all be returned to a Community Equipment Service store or by collection where they will be reused. To find out how your items can be returned please call Millbrook Healthcare on 0333 321 8986.
Zucchini
Zucchinis can be composted with other vegetable waste in your compost bin.