What goes where? A simple guide to recycling, waste and composting

A simple guide to recycling, waste and composting.

Sorting your waste correctly keeps recycling clean, reduces landfill and supports our local sustainability goals. This guide brings together what goes in each bin, what you can recycle locally and where to find extra help and rewards for reducing waste.

Blue bin: recycling

Use your blue bin for clean, dry recyclable materials. You can recycle paper, cardboard, glass, tins and some plastics in this bin.

What goes in (examples):

• paper and card: newspapers, envelopes, junk mail, cereal boxes
• cardboard packaging: delivery boxes (flattened), sleeves from ready meals
• tins and cans: food tins, drink cans, clean foil trays
• plastic bottles: milk, drinks, shampoo and cleaning bottles (lids on)
• plastic pots and tubs: yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, clear plastic punnets
• glass bottles and jars: drinks bottles, sauce and jam jars (lids removed)
• Tetra Pak packaging

Quick tips:

• Rinse containers to remove food or liquid.
• Flatten cardboard to save space.
• Keep items loose in the bin (no plastic bags or black sacks).
• If you are unsure, use the online “What can I recycle?” search tool for item‑by‑item advice.

Please enter your post code for specific recycling advice based on your location.

Black bin: general rubbish

Use your black bin for things that cannot be recycled or composted.

What goes in (examples):

• nappies and sanitary products
• tissues, wipes and cotton wool
• greasy or food‑soiled cardboard (for example, oily pizza boxes)
• broken crockery, some plastics that are not accepted in the blue bin

Quick tip:

• If you are unsure whether something is recyclable, check the recycling search tool; if still in doubt, it is usually better to leave it out of the blue bin to avoid contamination.

Green caddy: food waste

All cooked and uncooked food can go into your food waste caddies. We collect food waste weekly from your small silver kitchen caddy (emptied into your outdoor green caddy, or communal food waste bin if you live in a flat).

What goes in:

• cooked and uncooked leftovers
• fruit and vegetable peelings and cores
• bread, cakes and pastries
• meat, fish and bones
• tea bags and coffee grounds

Do not put in:

• plastic packaging (unless it is a council‑approved liner)
• liquids such as oil or milk
• garden waste (put this in garden waste collections or home compost)

Quick tips:

• Use compostable caddy liners if you wish.
• Tie liners securely and empty your caddy regularly to avoid smells.

How to reduce food waste

• Make a shopping list so you can buy what you need.
• Keep your fridge cool (1 to 5 degrees) and chilled food will stay fresh for longer.
• Think of recipes you could use for leftover food, for more information visit the Love Food Hate Waste website.

Home composting

Home composting turns garden and some food waste into nutrient‑rich compost you can use in your garden. We promote home composting as a simple way to reduce waste further and save money on soil improvers.

What you can expect:

• Access to subsidised compost bin offers (subject to availability).
• Simple step‑by‑step composting guides.
• Ideal for garden lovers and anyone wanting to cut rubbish and improve soil at the same time.

Buy compost bins and food waste digesters

Brown bin: garden waste

Your garden waste is collected regularly as part of the council’s garden waste recycling service. Please place your grass cuttings, leaves, prunings, and other compostable garden materials in your brown bin (or garden waste sack if applicable). Collections are made every two weeks.

What goes in:

• grass cuttings and leaves
• small branches, twigs, and prunings
• flowers, plants, and weeds
• hedge trimmings

Do not put in:

• soil, stones, or turf
• plant pots, seed trays, or compost bags
• food waste
• plastic bags or liners

Quick tips:

• Loose garden waste is best—no bags needed.
• Cut large branches to fit comfortably in your bin with the lid closed.
• Avoid compacting waste too tightly so it empties easily when collected.

Subscribe to our Garden Waste Collection Service

Specialist recycling and other services

Some items need special handling and should never go in your blue, black or food waste bins.

Small electricals, batteries and textiles collection

You can book a free doorstep collection for small, broken or unwanted electrical items, batteries and textiles.

Examples of accepted items include:

• small electricals: toasters, kettles, hairdryers, electric toothbrushes
• textiles: clothing, paired shoes, household linens such as towels and bed linen
• batteries

Check the small electricals, batteries and textiles collection page for the latest list of accepted items and how to book.

Small electricals, batteries and textiles

Recycling sites

If you need to recycle extra materials or items that cannot go in your household bins, you can use local recycling sites. These sites take materials such as additional cardboard, paper, glass and other recyclables, and are handy when your bin is full or for specific items.

We do not collect or accept fridges or freezers for disposal. Please contact Furniture Helpline for advice.

Find your nearest site

Batteries and gas canisters

Batteries and gas canisters must be disposed of safely as they can cause fires in collection vehicles and at sorting facilities.

Batteries can be collected separately, and gas canisters should be taken to the recycling centres at Witley or Cranleigh for safe disposal.

Clinical and medical waste

If you produce clinical or medical waste at home, we can collect it separately. Services include: Sharps disposal (for example, needles in approved sharps boxes). Medical waste bag collections for eligible residents. You may need to register for this service; check the clinical and medical waste information for how to apply.

Why sorting matters

• Reduces contamination so more materials can be recycled
• Cuts landfill waste and reduces environmental impact
• Keeps collection crews safe
• Supports local sustainability goals