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Get Yer' Bins Right

Whether you already live in private rented accommodation or you are going to move in to a house next September, it’s really important to get your bins right. If you need to know when your rubbish and recycling collections are, or need to check what goes in which bin, drop by the Recycling Roadshow where our experts can help you get your bins right.

Learn about the different bin types

Recycling Bin

What you can put in your household recycling bin

Paper and cardboard, including:

  • wrapping paper (not foil based)
  • newspapers
  • envelopes
  • directories
  • magazines
  • shredded paper (small amounts - paper wrapped/bagged to stop escape)
  • cereal boxes
  • greetings cards
  • cardboard (including corrugated card)
  • photos

Most rigid household plastics (any colour) from food, drink and household products, including:

  • plastic bottles (including milk, soft drinks, shampoo, shower gel and cleaning products)
  • plastic pots (including yoghurt, cream and soup)
  • plastic tubs (including margarine, butter and ice cream)
  • plastic trays (any colour, including fruit and vegetable punnets)
  • plastic lids (they must be placed back on the plastic bottles, pots and tubs)

Household metal packaging:

  • tins and cans
  • aerosols (including deodorant, hairspray and furniture polish)
  • aluminium foil
  • metal lids

Tetra Pak cartons and glass bottles and jars can also be recycled.

What you cannot put in your household recycling bin

You cannot put the following into your recycling bin:

  • plastic bags and wrapping
  • crisp packets
  • plastic toothpaste tubes
  • anything compostable or biodegradable
  • polystyrene
  • paper tissues and paper towels
  • paper cups
  • glass - sheets, windowpanes, broken glass, oven proof glass such as Pyrex or light bulbs
  • metal
  • food and liquids
  • wood and rubble
  • nappies
  • textiles and clothes
  • electrical items such as batteries and vapes - you can take these to a household recycling centre or check the Recycle your electricals website for local recycling points
  • commercial waste
  • garden waste
  • clinic waste such as syringes or medical sharps
  • lateral flow testing kits
  • personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves

Food Waste Bin

What you can put in your food waste container

All cooked and uncooked food, including:

  • meat, fish and bones
  • fruit and vegetable peelings
  • cheese and dairy produce
  • cakes, bread and pastries
  • leftovers, including plate scrapings
  • tea bags and coffee grounds
  • pasta, rice and egg shells

What you cannot put in your food waste container

  • carrier bags/plastic bags
  • nappies
  • food packaging
  • garden waste
  • pet waste
  • liquids
  • oil or liquid fats
  • paper cups of any kind
  • wooden sticks/skewers

General Rubbish Bin

What you cannot put in your rubbish bin

You can put the following in your rubbish bin:

  • disposable nappies
  • plastic bags and wrapping - these can also be taken to local disposal points for recycling
  • broken glass (wrapped in paper)
  • cold ashes
  • pet waste (including cat litter)
  • medical and sanitary waste
  • disposable razors (wrapped in paper)
  • tissues and paper towels
  • polystyrene
  • lateral flow testing kit (the test, plastic packaging and bag provided)
  • personal protective equipment (masks and gloves)
  • foil based wrapping paper

What you cannot put in your rubbish bin

You cannot put the following in your rubbish bin:

  • garden waste
  • recycling (use recycling bin or box)
  • hot ashes
  • commercial and business waste
  • clinical (such as syringes)
  • hazardous waste (such as paints, oils, chemicals, gas bottles and low energy light bulbs)
  • commercial waste
  • industrial, construction or landscaping waste (such as bricks, rubble and stony debris)
  • electrical items such as batteries and vapes - you can take these to a household recycling centre or check the Recycle your electricals website for local recycling points
  • textiles - please take these to a household recycling centre or recycling bank
  • upholstered seating and soft furnishings for example bean bags and floor cushions - please take these to a household recycling centre or bank

Don’t let bin day sneak up on you. Visit the BCP Council website to see what goes in each bin and when they’re collected. Your future self (and your kitchen) will thank you.


The roadshow is coming your way

Let our bin experts show you some top tips, and maybe you'll win some goodies - if you can get yer' bins right!

Get Yer Bins Right! - Recycling Roadshow
23rd March noon - 2pm
Ground Floor, Student Centre, Talbot Campus
Learn more about getting your bins right.
Get Yer Bins Right! - Recycling Roadshow
26th March noon - 2pm
Ground Floor, Student Centre, Talbot Campus
Learn more about getting your bins right.
The Big Give 2026
20th April midnight - 28th August midnight