Types of waste we accept
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Find out what types of household waste we accept at our recycling centres.
If you are bringing trade waste visit Types of trade waste we accept to find out what you can bring.
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Item | Including | Info | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Aerosol cans (empty) | Not applicable | Accepted. You can also put them in your kerbside recycling bin. | Free |
Aerosol cans (full or part-full) | Not applicable | Only accepted on hazardous waste days | Free |
Air conditioners | Not applicable | Accepted | Free |
Antifreeze | Glycol | Only accepted on hazardous waste days | Free |
Asbestos | Not applicable | Not accepted. More information on asbestos disposal. | Not accepted |
Ash | Not applicable | Not accepted as it's a fire risk. When the ash is completely cold you can put it in your kerbside waste bin. | Not accepted |
Audio Visual |
| Accepted. Put them in the non-recyclables container. May also be accepted at reuse shops. | Free |
Batteries |
| Accepted. Not accepted as trade waste. Household batteries are also accepted at retail outlets and supermarkets. Batteries may be a fire hazard if you put them in your household rubbish bin. Please recycle responsibly.
| Free |
Beer barrels or kegs | Not applicable | Not accepted. Contact Keg Watch on 0808 100 1945 | Not accepted |
Bicycles | Not applicable | Accepted. Put unusable bicycles in the scrap metal container. Good bikes may be accepted at reuse shops | Free |
Blades |
| Accepted. Let a member of staff know you are disposing of them. Wrap them safely, label them and put them in the scrap metal container. You can also wrap them safely and put them in your kerbside rubbish bin. | Free |
Books | Not applicable | Accepted. Put them in the cardboard container May be accepted at reuse shops | Free |
Brake fluid | Not applicable | Only accepted on hazardous waste days | Free |
Bubble wrap | Not applicable | Accepted. Put it in the non-recyclables container. Some online recycling groups or websites will accept bubble wrap that's in good condition. | Free |
Business and trade waste | The following waste types created by businesses or trade activities:
| Accepted at some recycling centres for a charge. Visit Types of trade waste we accept for more information about what is and is not included. | Business and trade waste charges |
Cans/tins/foil (washed) |
| Accepted, but these can go in your kerbside recycling bin. | Free |
Card and cardboard |
| Accepted, but these can go in your kerbside recycling bin. | Free |
Carpets and underlay |
| Accepted. These go in the non-recyclables container. Laminate is classed as DIY waste. More about DIY waste. | Free |
Chemicals (listed) |
| Only accepted on Hazardous waste days. Not accepted as trade waste. | Free |
Christmas trees | Not applicable | Accepted. Real Christmas trees can go in green waste container. Fake trees may go in the non recyclable, metal or electrical container. Please check with staff. Fake Christmas trees and decorations in good condition are accepted at reuse shops. | Free |
Clinical waste |
| Not accepted. Your local district, borough or city council might offer a collection or disposal service, but may charge. You could also contact a reputable private waste disposal contractor. Ask to see a waste carriers licence and find out where they will dispose of the waste. | Not accepted |
Clothes | Not applicable | Accepted. See textiles for more information. | Free |
CO2 canisters | Not applicable | Only accepted on Hazardous waste days. Or contact Keg Watch on 0808 100 1945. | Free |
Coat hangers (wire and plastic) | Not applicable | Accepted. Put plastic in non-recyclables and metal hangers in metals. Or offer to reuse shops. | Free |
Cooking oil | Not applicable | Accepted. Not accepted as trade waste. | Free |
Cushions (not part of upholstered seating) |
| Accepted. Put them in the non-recyclables container. Or donate good quality cushions at reuse shops. | Free |
Cushions (part of upholstered seating) |
| Accepted at some recycling centres. Undamaged, clean items with a fire safety label attached may also be accepted at the reuse shops of the sites that accept upholstered seating. Visit Upholstered seating for more details. | Free |
Electrical items (large, non-commercial) |
| Accepted. Not accepted as trade waste. Your local district, borough or city council may offer a collection service for large electrical goods but might charge you. Reuse shops may take some items. Check with staff. | Free |
Electrical items (small, non-commercial) |
| Accepted at recycling centres. Not accepted as trade waste. May be accepted at reuse shops. It is your responsibility to remove all personal data from your electronics before you recycle them. Some items may go on to be reused. More information on deleting your data. | Free |
Engine oil (used) | Not applicable | Accepted. Please bring engine oil in a reusable container. Empty containers cannot be disposed of at the recycling centre. Not accepted as trade waste. | Free |
Explosives, boat flares, fireworks, fire arms/BB guns and ammunition | Not applicable | Not accepted. Read our advice on disposing of explosives. | Not accepted |
Facemasks | Not applicable | Not accepted. | Not accepted |
Fibreglass | Not applicable | Accepted. Classed as non-recyclable DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. | More about DIY waste |
Fire extinguishers | Not applicable | Only accepted on hazardous waste days. Maximum 2 per household. Some extinguisher supply companies also offer a disposal service - check the label. | Free |
Flat glass (DIY waste) |
| Accepted. Classed as non-recyclable DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. | More about DIY waste |
Flat glass (free standing) |
| May be accepted at reuse shops. | Free |
Flooring |
| Accepted. Goes in the non-recyclables container. Laminate is classed as DIY waste. More about DIY waste. | Free |
Foil (clean) |
| Accepted. You can also put it in your kerbside recycling bin. | Free |
Food waste | Not applicable | Accepted in small amounts. Needs to be double-bagged and labelled. Goes in the non-recyclables container. Also goes in kerbside rubbish bin or food caddy in some areas. Not accepted as trade waste. | Free |
Fuel |
| Not accepted | Not accepted |
Furniture (free standing and upholstered) |
| Accepted at some recycling centres. Please do not break this furniture up. Undamaged, clean items with a fire safety label attached may also be accepted at the reuse shops of the sites that accept upholstered seating. Visit Upholstered seating for more details. | Free |
Furniture (free standing, not upholstered) |
| Accepted at recycling centres. May be accepted at reuse shops. Fitted furniture is classed as DIY waste. More about DIY waste. | Free |
Garden/green waste |
| Accepted - apart from ash trees, and leaves and prunings, and injurious or invasive weeds. Read our information about garden or green waste for more information about what we will and will not accept. We also provide advice on how to deal with garden waste that we do not accept. | Free |
Gas bottles and cylinders (empty) | Not applicable | Only some types of empty gas bottles and cylinders are accepted at our recycling centres. Read more about gas bottles and cylinders Not accepted as trade waste. | Free |
Gas bottles and cylinders (full or part full) | Not applicable | Not accepted, under any circumstances. | Not accepted |
Glass bottles and jars (washed) | Not applicable | Accepted - put them in the glass containers. They can also go in your kerbside recycling bin. Flat glass is classed as DIY waste. An example of flat glass is a window pane. More about DIY waste. | Free |
Glue | Not applicable | Only accepted on hazardous waste days | Free |
Hardened lime, cement, and plaster |
| Accepted only if hardened. Classed as non-recyclable DIY waste and it can be put in the rubble container at any recycling centre. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. | More about DIY waste |
Heating oil | Not applicable | Not accepted | Not accepted |
Household bin waste (including food waste) | Not applicable | Accepted. Please separate any recyclable materials out beforehand then bag any remaining waste. We might ask you to open the bags at the recycling centre. This is so that we can recycle as much as possible. | Free |
Incontinence pads | Not applicable | Accepted - but incontinence pads should usually be wrapped and put in your kerbside rubbish bin. We will accept one bag of pads per household, per week. The pads must be double-wrapped and clearly labelled, to reduce human contact with them. | Free |
Kitchenware |
| Accepted. Please don't put heatproof glass (Pyrex) into bottle banks. May also be accepted at reuse shops. | Free |
Lawnmowers |
| Accepted at recycling centres. Please empty fuel tanks completely for petrol lawnmowers. | Free |
Lightbulbs/fluorescent tubes (household) | Not applicable | Accepted. Not accepted as trade waste. For large quantities, or for commercial collection/disposal, contact Recolight (charges apply). | Free |
Litter (bagged) | Not applicable | Accepted. We'll take up to three bags, but you need to let us know before you arrive. Find out how to drop off litter. | Free |
Liquid cartons/Tetra Paks (washed) | Not applicable | Accepted. Put them in the cardboard container. They can also go in your kerbside recycling bin. | Free |
Loft insulation | Not applicable | Accepted. Classed as non-recyclable DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. | More about DIY waste |
Mattresses | Not applicable | Accepted. Put them in the non-recyclables container. | Free |
Medicines and medical equipment |
| Not accepted. Never place leftover or expired medicines or medical equipment in your kerbside rubbish bin or flush them down the toilet. Your local GP or pharmacist will help you dispose of them safely. | Not accepted |
Mercury | Not applicable | Not accepted | Not accepted |
Metals (household) |
| Accepted. Non-ferrous metals are separated out (copper, brass, stainless steel and aluminium). Also see foil. | Free |
Mobility equipment |
| Accepted for recycling. Not accepted for reuse. Do not bring any items that belong to the NHS or NRS, return these to the provider. | Free |
Nappies | Not applicable | Accepted - but nappies should usually be wrapped and put in your kerbside rubbish bin. We accept one bag per household, per week of disposal nappies. They must be double-wrapped and clearly labelled, to reduce human contact with them. | Free |
DIY non-recyclables |
| Accepted. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. | More about DIY waste |
Oil tanks (empty) |
| Accepted as long as they are fully drained. They are classed as DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. Oil tanks will not fit in the bins whole. They must be broken up into smaller pieces that can be carried up steps if necessary. We suggest you visit your recycling centre before you bring the item and discuss it with site staff. Or consider hiring a tank removal company. | More about DIY waste |
Oil tanks (full or partially full) | Not applicable | Not accepted. Look for specialist waste disposal contractors in your local telephone directory or online. Remember to ask to see a waste carriers licence and find out where the waste will be disposed of. | Not accepted |
Paint cans (empty or dried out) | Not applicable | Accepted. Empty metal paint cans go in the metals container, plastic cans go in the non-recyclable bin. Dried out or empty cans also go in your kerbside rubbish bin. | Free |
Paint cans (full or part full containing liquid paint) | Not applicable | Only accepted on hazardous waste days. Not accepted as trade waste. Do not put liquid paint into your kerbside bin. Mix in cat litter or soil to completely dry out the paint first. | Free |
Paper |
| Accepted - but can go in your kerbside recycling bin. | Free |
Pets/animals bedding and housing |
| Accepted. We accept up to 2 bags of vegetarian pet bedding per week (from rabbits, guinea pigs etc). Please double-bagged it and label it clearly. Think about home composting it instead. We also accept household fish tanks/aquariums and animal housing. Put filters or lights in the small electrical appliances container. Good, clean items may also be accepted for reuse shops. | Free |
Pets/animals waste |
| Not accepted, for hygiene reasons. If you have a small quantity, wrap it and put it in a plastic bag in your kerbside rubbish bin. | Not accepted |
Pillows and duvets | Not applicable | Accepted. Pillows and duvets go in the non-recyclable bin. Pillow cases and duvet covers go into the textile bins. | Free |
Plant pots | Not applicable | Accepted at recycling centres. Ceramic pots can go in the rubble container.
Ceramic plant pots may be accepted at reuse shops. | Free |
Plasterboard |
| Accepted at Caister, Dereham, Hempton, King's Lynn, Norwich North, Norwich South and Thetford. Plasterboard is classed as DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. Cost is per item or 50 litre bag. | More about DIY waste |
Plastic |
| Accepted. Things like toys and plant pots go in the non-recyclable container. They may be accepted at reuse shops. We're not able to recycle rigid plastic as we need to ensure we have a secure market for the material. We are searching. Bottles, tubs and trays can go in your kerbside recycling bin. | Free |
Plastic film | Not applicable | Accepted. It goes in the non-recyclables container. Find places to recycle plastic film. | Free |
Polystyrene | Not applicable | Accepted. It goes in the non-recyclables container. | Free |
Powdered lime, cement, and plaster |
| Not accepted. Do not put in your household bin. Add some liquid to the powder to solidify it. Once fully hardened, see our advice on hardened lime, cement and plaster. | Not accepted |
Printer ink cartridges (including laser ink toner cartridges) | Not applicable | Accepted. Put them in the ink cartridges bin. | Free |
Roofing slates | Not applicable | Accepted | Free |
Rubble |
| Accepted. Classed as DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. Cost is per item or per 50 litre bag. | More about DIY waste |
Scrap metal |
| Accepted | Free |
Septic tanks | Not applicable | Not accepted. Anglian Water may be able to help you. | Not accepted |
Soil and turf | Not applicable | Accepted. Classed as non-recyclable DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. | More about DIY waste |
Sports equipment |
| Accepted. Working items may be accepted at reuse shops. | Free |
Storage heaters | Not applicable | Might be accepted if it does not contain asbestos. Get help on checking if your storage heater contains asbestos. If the storage heater contains asbestos then we cannot accept it. Check your make and model on the Armco Asbestos Consultants website. See more information on asbestos disposal. If it does not contain asbestos, we will accept it as DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. | More about DIY waste |
Sweet/chocolate/biscuits tins | Not applicable | Accepted. Tins go in the scrap metal container and plastic containers go in the non-recyclables container. | Free |
Textiles |
| Accepted. Put clean items in bags and place them in the textiles banks for recycling. If the banks are full we may ask you to hold on to items until we have a collection. Put soiled or damaged items in the non-recyclable container. | Free |
Thermometers | Not applicable | Not accepted | Not accepted |
Timber/wood |
| Accepted. Classed as DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. Railway sleepers are not accepted at any of our recycling centres. They are hazardous waste and need to be disposed of through a licenced waste disposal company. | More about DIY waste |
Tools |
| Accepted. Power tools are classed as small electrical items. Tools are not classed as DIY waste. Tools in good condition may also be accepted at reuse shops. | Free |
Turf/soil | Not applicable | Accepted. Classed as non-recyclable DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. | More about DIY waste |
Tyres |
| We accept car tyres for a charge at these sites: Caister, Dereham, Hempton, King's Lynn, Norwich North, Norwich South and Thetford. We accept bicycle tyres for free at all recycling centres. Not accepted as trade waste. We do not accept agricultural or industrial tyres. | More about charges for vehicles and parts waste |
Vehicles and parts |
| We do not accept cars and caravans. Get a list of vehicles and parts waste that we do accept at our recycling centres. | Free |
Wallpaper |
| Accepted. Unused wallpaper goes into the cardboard container. Used/stripped wallpaper goes into the non-recyclables container. | Free |
Water filters | Not applicable | Accepted. These go in the non-recyclables container. These may also be accepted at retail outlets, electrical retailers and in supermarkets. | Free |
Weeds (invasive) |
| Not accepted. Treat them where they are growing. Don't move them,to reduce the risk of them spreading. | Not accepted |
Wood (DIY waste) |
| Accepted. Classed as DIY waste. Charges apply after the DIY waste free allowance. | More about DIY waste |
Wood (free standing) |
| Accepted at recycling centres. | Free |
Wrapping paper | Not applicable | Accepted. Paper goes into the cardboard container, or your kerbside recycling bin. Shiny or foil type paper goes into non-recyclables container or your kerbside rubbish bin. | Free |