A to Z of rubbish and recycling

Cans

• Before recycling, wash and squash your cans
• Place cans in your grey recycling bin
• For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
• They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Cardboard

• Before recycling, fold and squash cardboard
• Place cardboard in your grey recycling bin
• For shared recycling facilities, place it in the mixed recycling bin
• It can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip 

Carpets

• Can be donated to a local charity or shared through an online reuse network
• Carpets can be disposed of at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip but can not be recycled
• Also see our web page for collection of special or bulky items. There is a charge for this service. Charges vary depending on the size, type or quantity of bulky waste. For further information or to arrange a collection please contact Envirolink on 0345 2000 103.

Carrier bags

• We currently don’t accept carrier bags in the grey recycling bin.
• Many local supermarkets now offer soft plastic recycling points, where you can recycle items such as carrier bags, bread bags and toilet roll wrappers.

Cartons, e.g. chopped tomatoes, sauces, long life milk cartons

• Before recycling, wash and squash
• Place cartons in your grey recycling bin
• For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
• They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Cassette and video tapes

• Some charities may accept donations of these
• Otherwise, dispose of them in your rubbish bin

Catalogues

• Place catalogues in your grey recycling bin
• For shared facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bins
• They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

CDs

• CDs are not currently recycled, put them in your general waste bin
• However, unwanted CDs can be donated to some charity shops

CD cases

• Do not place CD cases in your grey recycling bin
• You can place them in the hard-plastic container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Cellophane

• Cellophane is not currently recycled
• Therefore, please dispose of it in your rubbish bin

Cereal boxes

• Before recycling, remove the inner bag and fold and squash the cardboard box (the inner bag is not recyclable)
• Place cereal boxes in your grey recycling bin
• For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
• They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Chargers

• Small electricals such as chargers can be recycled in the electrical collection boxes around the borough. 

Christmas trees

• Natural Christmas trees can be chopped up and placed in your garden waste bin, recycled at a designated collection point or taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
• ​Artificial Christmas trees are not currently recycled

Christmas decorations

• Baubles (glass and plastic) and tinsel are not currently recycled, but can be donated to a charity shop.
• Broken Christmas tree lights can be recycled in the electrical collection boxes around the borough.

Cling film

• Not currently recycled
• Therefore, please dispose of it in your rubbish bin

Clothing

• Clothing can be donated to charity shops or through an online reuse network
• Alternatively, it can be recycled at some bring sites and the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip. Find your nearest recycling point on our map 

Coffee grounds and filters

• Coffee grounds and filters are not currently recycled
• However, they can be composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online

Computers

• Computers, small peripherals, such as keyboards and printers can be recycled in the small electricals collection boxes around the borough.
• If you’re getting rid of computer equipment, make sure you protect your personal details and destroy the hard drive before disposal.

Cookers

• Cookers can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
• Also see our web page for collection of special or bulky items. There is a charge for this service. Charges vary depending on the size, type or quantity of bulky waste. For further information or to arrange a collection please contact Envirolink on 0345 2000 103.

Cooking oil

• Cooking oil/vegetable oil can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycle Centre/tip (to a maximum of 7.5 litres)
• Or carefully pour into a plastic container and dispose of it in your general household waste bin
• Empty plastic oil bottles must be thoroughly washed before placing in your grey recycling bin

Cream pots (plastic)

• These can be recycled along with the clear plastic lid 
• Remove all food residue
• Wash and dry pots before placing them in your blue bin
• For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin

Crisp packets

• Not currently recycled, though some schools and community centres may collect them. Search online to find your nearest scheme
• Or dispose of them in your general waste bin 

Curtains

• Curtains can be donated to charity shops or through an online reuse network
• Alternatively, they can be recycled at some bring sites and the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip.

Cutlery

• Metal cutlery can be donated to charity shops
• Alternatively, it can be disposed of in the metals container at the household waste and recycling centre/tip, and plastic cutlery can be placed in the plastic containers