Website of the UK government

Why recycle?

Recycling cuts down on the need for landfill. It also reduces the use of new materials and saves energy, helping to tackle climate change. Recycling just one aluminium can saves enough energy to run a television set for three hours.

• More on waste and resource use

• Why recycling matters Opens new window

What you can recycle

Your local council will be able to tell you what it can and can’t recycle. Most councils are able to recycle paper, glass and plastics, and some also collect metal and organic waste. Recycling banks and bins usually show pictures of what you can put in them.

Recycling throughout your home

Many items in the kitchen are recyclable, including:

• plastic milk and water bottles
  
• household cleaning products bottles
  
• all glass packaging (bottles and jars)
  
• plastic food trays and wrappings are sometimes recyclable, so check the packaging for more details

Don’t forget you can also recycle items from the other rooms in your house, including: 

• in the bathroom, rinsed shampoo bottles, cardboard packaging and toilet roll tubes 
  
• in the bedroom, packaging from toiletries and make-up, and unwanted clothing
  
• when you’re doing the laundry, washing powder and liquid containers

Batteries

Rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries can contain hazardous substances, so it’s important to dispose of them correctly:

• from February 2010 many shops and supermarkets that sell batteries will provide collection bins for old batteries
• some councils have collection schemes or provide battery recycling banks – contact your local council to find out more
• otherwise, take old batteries, including car batteries, to your local civic amenity site (waste and recycling centre)

Clothes and textiles

More than half of clothing that’s thrown away could be recycled. Most charity shops resell clothing, or you could take your unwanted clothes to clothing banks. Some councils also take textiles in doorstep recycling collections.

• More on recycling textiles Opens new window

• Find a charity shop near you Opens new window

Mobile phones

Mobile phones are designed to last many years, so try to keep yours longer by avoiding unnecessary upgrades. When you need to get rid of your mobile phone:

• many phone shops will now take back old handsets for recycling
  
• there are organisations and charities that accept mobiles for refurbishment and recycling
• you could sell your phone on an online auction site

• How to recycle mobile phones Opens new window

Printer cartridges

Many charities and workplaces collect print cartridges for refilling. More than a third of the 40 million used in the UK each year are already re-manufactured.

• More about refilling printer cartridges Opens new window

Where you can recycle

Many councils collect recycling direct from outside your home. This is called doorstep or kerbside recycling and your council can tell you the times and dates of collections. Most councils also provide recycling banks or bins in the community.

The links below let you enter details of where you live and take you to your local council website. You will be able to find out about collection points and how you can recycle more.

• Recycling services your council provides Opens new window

• Recycling collections and recycling banks in your area Opens new window

• Apply for a recycling bin Opens new window

Full list of items you can recycle

A wide range of other things can be recycled – you can find out more from the RecycleNow website.

• List of what can be recycled and how Opens new window

Remembering to recycle

Make it easier to remember to recycle by:

• putting your recycling bin next to your main bin
  
• making a note on your calendar or fridge of when your recycling is collected, and what can and can’t be recycled

Why do recycling services vary across the UK?

The recycling services you receive can vary from council to council. This is because:

• there are different challenges to cope with when collecting materials in rural or urban areas
  
• the availability of landfill varies from place to place
  
• some councils have better access to sorting equipment or can more easily find buyers for the materials they’ve collected

Check with your local council for more information.

Is recycling worth it?

It’s important to recycle, whatever the economic climate; it saves energy, reduces the amount of raw materials being used and helps to combat climate change.

The global economic downturn may have led to a drop in demand for recycled materials, but 95 per cent of material put out for recycling in the UK is still being recycled. 

Recycling is almost always a better option than burning or sending waste to landfill. In 2008, recycling household waste saved the same amount of CO2 that nearly a million return flights from London to Sydney would produce.

• Why it's important to keep recycling Opens new window

• What happens to your recycling Opens new window

More useful links

• Bins and waste collection (home and community section)

• Disposal of bulky items (home and community section)

• Visit the RecycleNow website Opens new window