Communal bins are for household waste and recycling from properties that do not have wheelie bins. You should not use them to get rid of waste or recycling from a business. Please do not park in front of or block these bins.
Find your nearest communal bin
If a bin is full please use the next available bin.
Report a full or overflowing communal bin
What to do with your waste if you have coronavirus symptoms
Although coronavirus restrictions are no longer in place, and our services are all operating normally, it is important to remember that the virus remains with us. If you have symptoms of coronavirus or live with someone who does, please double wrap used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths securely within plastic bags.
You should also wash your hands before and after putting your bins out for collection.
What to put in each communal bin
Download our recycling guide
Download a communal recycling poster to display in your stairwell
Mixed recycling: green lidded bins
You can put
- paper, cardboard and envelopes
- cans / tins
- drink cartons (e.g. Tetrapak type)
- clean plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
- empty aerosols and foil
in your shared mixed recycling bin.
Watch our YouTube video to find out .
Remember to rinse your plastics, cans and tins and put your recycling in loose.
Watch our YouTube video for .
You can't put
- plastic bags, wrappers, crisp bags
- glass
- photographs
- polystyrene
- plastic toys or plant pots
- batteries and small electrical items
in your shared mixed recycling bin.
Find out more about .
Packaging recycling: green lidded bins
You can put
- cardboard
- clean plastic bottles with tops, pots, tubs and trays
- clean cans and tins
- drink cartons (e.g. Tetrapak type)
- empty aerosols and foil
in your shared packaging bin.
Remember to rinse your plastics, cans and tins and put your recycling in loose. Recycling in bags cannot be sorted.
You can't put
- plastic bags and wrappers
- glass
- photographs
- polystyrene
- plastic toys or plant pots
- batteries and small electrical items
in your shared packaging bin.
Paper recycling: blue lidded bins
You can put
- newspapers and magazines
- envelopes and unwanted mail
- wrapping paper, not metallic
- printed and shredded paper
- other types of white paper
in your shared paper recycling bin.
You can't put
- plastic bags
- glass
- wrappers, crisp bags or photographs
- polystyrene
in your shared paper recycling bin.
Glass recycling: purple lidded bins
You can put
- clean glass bottles - all colours, including bottle tops
- clean glass jars - all colours, including lids
in your shared glass recycling bin.
You can't put
- plastic bags
- light bulbs, glass dishes, broken glass, ceramics, pyrex and window panes
in your shared glass recycling bin.
Food recycling: grey lidded bins
You can put
- all cooked and uncooked food
- pasta, rice and bread
- fruit and vegetables including peelings
- meat and bones
- eggs
- tea bags and coffee grounds
in your shared food recycling bin.
You can't put
- liquids including milk and cooking oil
- food packaging
- animal waste or bedding
in your shared food recycling bin.
Food must be bagged in either a compostable liner or carrier bag. Liners are available at libraries for £1 per roll or at supermarkets.
Non recyclable bin: black lidded bins
This bin is only for items you can't recycle. Don't leave items or bin bags beside the bin or on the street, it's illegal.
Large items like DIY waste or furniture should not be put in the bins or left beside them.
Download what to do if you're having a clear out.
Electrical waste
You can recycle electrical equipment at household waste recycling centres, but if you just have small items you might be able to recycle those at some local shops. The campaign has a postcode search to help.