What can I recycle?

In Southampton, there are six items you can recycle at home. These are paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, tins, empty aerosols and plastic bottles. Although an item may be labelled "recyclable", it's not necessarily recyclable in Southampton.

Use the buttons below to see what goes in each bin, or use the search box to find how to dispose of a particular item.

Blue-lidded recycling bin
Green-lidded general waste bin
Brown-lidded garden waste bin
Grey/black glass recycling box
Household Waste and Recycling Centre
All items
Item Which bin / how to dispose of Alternative ways of disposing Other information
Aerosols Blue-lidded recycling bin (as long as they are not hazardous) Aerosols can also be recycled at out-of-home recycling points such as supermarkets Aerosols need to be empty to be recycled, as any remaining original contents may class as hazardous waste
Aluminium Foil Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now If recycling out-of-home, please make sure your tin foil is clear of food waste
Animal waste Green-lidded general waste bin - Please make sure you bag up your animal waste before placing in bin
Antibacterial wipes Green-lidded general waste bin - Don’t be fooled into thinking these can be flushed! They can not! Most wipes should always be placed in the waste bin
Ammunition Please contact your local police station - -
Asbestos Household Waste and Recycling Centre - There is a charge for disposing of asbestos
Ash Green-lidded general waste bin Household Waste and Recycling Centre Due to high levels of alkaline, wood ash can be really beneficial to your lawn
Baby wipes Green-lidded general waste bin - Although they may be labelled as flushable, these are not!
Batteries Household Waste and Recycling Centre Most supermarkets now have battery collection points Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals
Bed linen Green-lidded general waste bin Textile recycling banks You can also donate these to local charities, and many high street stores now have ‘bring back schemes’
Biscuit tins (metal) Blue-lidded recycling bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now -
Bicycles Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Consider donating your old bicycle to a local charity shop. Alternatively, Halfords work with Re-Cycle to donate bikes to rural communities in Africa. Find out more at Halfords
Blankets Green-lidded general waste bin Textile recycling banks Blankets can be taken to local charities and your local homeless shelters
Bleach bottles Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Books Green-lidded general waste bin Good quality books are accepted at most charity shops for resale. You can also donate books to your local library and schools
Bottles – glass Grey/black glass recycling box Bottle banks Metal bottle lids can be left on clean glass bottles
Bottles – plastic Blue-lidded recycling bin - To recycle plastic bottles correctly, please ensure they're clean and dry. If recycling the bottle lids, these must be secured to the bottle as individual bottle lids can get wedged into and clog our machinery
Bricks Household Waste and Recycling Centre - There is a charge for disposing of bricks
Brochures Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Bubble wrap Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Building rubble Household Waste and Recycling Centre - There is a charge for disposing of rubble
Business waste Commercial waste service - -
Butter and margarine tubs Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now -
Cans Blue-lidded recycling bin - Cans can also be taken to your local supermarket for recycling
Car batteries Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Car batteries are classed as hazardous waste and should never be placed in your kerbside bins. The provider/fitter of your new battery may well be able to dispose of your old battery for you
Cardboard Blue-lidded recycling bin - Remember to take tape off of cardboard boxes before recycling them
Cards Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Cartons, waxed juice or milk cartons Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now Because of the wax coating these items can’t be recycled in Southampton. Some retailers will take clean items back, so give them a rinse before returning them
Carrier bags Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now -
Car tyres You can't dispose of car tyres at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre - please google options - When having your new car tyres fitted, the garage will often dispose of your old ones for you. Tyre companies can also dispose of old tyres for you, for a small fee
Catalogues Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Cat litter Green-lidded general waste bin - Please ensure your animal waste is bagged up before placing in your general waste bin
CDs and DVDs Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now CDs and DVDs will be welcome at your local charity shops, or you can sell them on certain websites
Cereal box Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Chemicals Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Items such as pesticides, lawn treatments, white spirit, varnish, poisons (such as rat poison) and antifreeze are accepted at the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Please take them in a sealed container and speak to a member of staff. There is a maximum of five litres per household per month.
Christmas trees Household Waste and Recycling Centre - See Christmas tree collections
Chocolate bar wrappers Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now Many supermarkets and retailers will take clean empty wrappers back for recycling
Cleaning wipes Green-lidded general waste bin - Wipes with any kind of moisture can not be recycled, or flushed down the toilet
Cling film Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Clothes Green-lidded general waste bin Textile recycling banks You can also donate clothes to your local charity shops
Coats Green-lidded general waste bin Textile recycling banks You can also donate coats to your local charity shops
Coat hangers Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now Some large retailers recycle unwanted coat hangers and charity shops can use them again
Coffee Cups Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now Some coffee chains will take back empty coffee cups so check with your favourite coffee shop for more details
Coffee grounds Green-lidded general waste bin Compost - see the Get Composting website -
Coffee pods Green-lidded general waste bin Some manufacturers offer recycling schemes Pods from 11 major coffee brands can be recycled through the Podback scheme
Computers Household Waste and Recycling Centre - -
Confidential waste Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Cookers Household Waste and Recycling Centre The council also runs a bulky items collection service There is a charge for bulky items collection
Cooking oil Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Corks Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Cotton wool Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Cotton wool buds Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Crisp packets Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Cutlery Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Consider donating cutlery to your local charity shop, or soup kitchen
Curtains Green-lidded general waste bin Textile recycling banks Consider donating curtains to your local charity shop
Diesel You can't dispose of fuel at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre - please google options - Find your nearest hazardous waste disposal point
Directories Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Disposable plates, cups and napkins Green-lidded general waste bin - -
DIY waste (bricks, rubble) Household Waste and Recycling Centre - There is a charge for disposing of rubble
Domestic appliances Household Waste and Recycling Centre The council also runs a bulky items collection service -
Drinking glasses Green-lidded general waste bin - Make sure it is wrapped up so nobody gets cut
Duvets Green-lidded general waste bin Household Waste and Recycling Centre Consider donating your duvet to your local charity shop
DVD player Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals
Egg boxes – cardboard Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Egg boxes – plastic Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Egg shells Green-lidded general waste bin Compost - see the Get Composting website -
Electrical goods Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals
Engine oil Household Waste and Recycling Centre Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now Engine oil is a hazardous waste and as such can be dangerous. Please ensure this is in a sealed container before dropping to your nearest recycling point
Envelopes Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Fireworks Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Fish tank chemicals Household Waste and Recycling Centre - -
Flower pots and trays – plastic Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now Plastic pots tubs and trays can not be recycled kerbside in Southampton yet
Flour bags Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Fluorescent tubes Household Waste and Recycling Centre - These may contain hazardous waste that can not be placed in your general waste bin
Foil Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now If you are recycling foil out of home, please ensure it’s clear of food waste and grease
Food wrap Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Food tins Blue-lidded recycling bin - Don't forget to wash them out!
Food trays and pots (plastic) Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now If you are recycling food trays out of home, please ensure they are clear of food waste and grease
Food waste Green-lidded general waste bin Compost - see the Get Composting website -
Fridges and freezers Household Waste and Recycling Centre The council also runs a bulky items collection service There is a charge for bulky items collection
Fruit peelings Green-lidded general waste bin Compost - see the Get Composting website -
Furniture Household Waste and Recycling Centre The council also runs a bulky items collection service You can also give these away to charity if in good condition. See other ways to dispose of bulky waste
Garden waste Brown-lidded garden waste bin - There is an annual charge for a brown-lidded garden waste bin
Gas bottles Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Many gas bottles can be refilled and re-used. For more information visit LPG cylinder supply and return
Glass bottles Grey/black glass recycling box Bottle banks -
Glass items Household Waste and Recycling Centre - For items like glasses and vases, please consider donating to your local charity shop
Grass cuttings Brown-lidded garden waste bin - There is an annual charge for a brown-lidded garden waste bin
Greaseproof paper Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Hand soap bottle Blue-lidded recycling bin - It’s plastic, and it’s a bottle, so it’s recyclable in Southampton!
Hand soap pump dispenser tops Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Hard plastics Household Waste and Recycling Centre - -
Hats and scarves Green-lidded general waste bin Textile recycling banks Please consider donating hats and scarves to your local charity shop, especially useful for winter time
Hazardous waste Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Hazardous waste can be hazardous to your health and to the environment. It should never be put into any of your kerbside bins
Inhalers Inhalers can contain harmful gases so please return these to your local chemist - Please take unwanted medicines back to your local chemist for disposal
Jars – glass Grey/black glass recycling box Bottle banks Please ensure jars are rinsed out before recycling. Metal lids can be left on clean jars
Jars - plastic Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Juice cartons Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now -
Juice pouches Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now -
Junk mail Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Kettles Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals
Keys Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now Keys can be recycled in the mixed metals facility at most recycling centres
Kitchen roll Green-lidded general waste bin - Kitchen roll must go into your general waste bin, however you can recycle the cardboard tube
Kitchen waste Green-lidded general waste bin Compost - see the Get Composting website -
Laser printers Household Waste and Recycling Centre Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals
Lead pipe Household Waste and Recycling Centre - -
Leaves Brown-lidded garden waste bin - There is an annual charge for a brown-lidded garden waste bin
Leftovers Green-lidded general waste bin Compost - see the Get Composting website -
Lids and tops (metal) Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Lids and tops (plastic)

Plastic bottle tops can be loosely screwed onto their bottle and placed in the blue-lidded recycling bin.

Individual plastic bottle tops or other plastic lids/tops go in the green-lidded general waste bin

- Some organisations and charities will collect individual bottle tops which they sell in bulk to plastic recycling companies in order to raise funds for themselves. Individual bottle lids cannot be recycled as they can get wedged into and clog machinery
Light bulbs (energy efficient and fluorescent tubes) Household Waste and Recycling Centre - These may contain hazardous waste that can not be placed in your general waste bin
Light bulbs (halogen) Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Light bulbs (LED) Household Waste and Recycling Centre - LED light bulbs should be placed in the small electrical appliances container
Magazines Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Margarine and butter tubs Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now -
Medicine Please take unwanted medicines back to your local chemist for disposal - Inhalers can contain harmful gases so please return these to your local chemist
Milk bottles (plastic) Blue-lidded recycling bin - Give it a wash!
Monitors Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals
Nail varnish bottles Green-lidded general waste bin - Some supermarkets and retailers now collect old make-up items
Nappies Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Nespresso pods These can be recycled through Nespresso - Pods from 11 major coffee brands can be recycled through the Podback scheme
Newspapers Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Office furniture Household Waste and Recycling Centre The council also runs a bulky items collection service There is a charge for bulky items collection
Paint Household Waste and Recycling Centre - -
Paper Blue-lidded recycling bin - Never put shredded paper into the recycling bin!
Paraffin You can't dispose of paraffin at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre - please search the web for options - -
Perfume and/or aftershave bottles Green-lidded general waste bin - Empty glass perfume and aftershave bottles can be placed in your glass collection container
PET PET which is bottle shaped can be recycled in your blue-lidded bin. For other shapes please put it in your green-lidded bin - If you're not certain that the item is made of PET, place it in your green-lidded general waste bin
Pet waste Green-lidded general waste bin - Please ensure your animal waste is bagged up before placing in your general waste bin
Petrol You can't dispose of petrol at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre - please google options - Find your nearest hazardous waste disposal point
Photo paper Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Pillows Green-lidded general waste bin - Consider donating pillows to your local charity shop or homeless shelter
Pizza boxes Green-lidded general waste bin - Food or liquids can leak onto paper and cardboard, meaning they cannot be recycled. Greasy cardboard such as pizza boxes, cannot be recycled for the same reason.
Plasterboard Household Waste and Recycling Centre - There is a charge for disposing of plasterboard
Plastic bags Green-lidded general waste bin - Many supermarkets support plastic bag recycling. See Recycle Now
Plastic bottles Blue-lidded recycling bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now These can also be taken to many supermarkets and retailers for recycling
Plastic food trays and pots Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now If you’re recycling these out-of-home, please ensure they’re clear of any food waste or grease
Plastic packaging Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now -
Polystyrene Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Postcards Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Post-it notes Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Pringles™ tubes Green-lidded general waste bin - Can also be recycled through the Terracycle programme at the University of Southampton Students Union.
Printer cartridges Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals
Punnet Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Roll on deodorants Green-lidded general waste bin - Many supermarkets and retailers will take empty deodorant bottles back for recycling
Shoes Green-lidded general waste bin Textile recycling banks Consider donating shoes to your local charity shop
Shampoo bottle Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Shower gel bottle Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Shredded paper Green-lidded general waste bin - Shredded paper can cause issues to our waste facilities
Sponges Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Sugar bags Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Straws Green-lidded general waste bin - The best thing to do is avoid using plastic straws as they can not be recycled due to their small diameter
Take away coffee cups Green-lidded general waste bin Find an out-of-home recycling point at Recycle Now Many coffee shops will allow you to return your coffee cup for recycling. The best option is to buy a reusable cup!
Telephones Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals
Televisions Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals
Tetra Pak Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Textiles Green-lidded general waste bin Textile recycling banks Textiles can also be donated to charity shops
Tissues Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Tins Blue-lidded recycling bin - Give it a wash!
Toaster Household Waste and Recycling Centre - Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals
Toilet roll tube Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Toys Green-lidded general waste bin - Consider donating toys to your local charity shop, or hospital
Trade waste Commercial waste service - -
Tyres You can't dispose of car tyres at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre - please search the web for options - When having your new car tyres fitted, the garage will often dispose of your old ones for you. Tyre companies can also dispose of old tyres for you, for a small fee
Vegetable waste Green-lidded general waste bin Compost - see the Get Composting website -
Vape Household Waste and Recycling Centre Electricals should always be recycled separately from household waste. Find out more at Recycle Your Electricals Vapes should never be placed in either of your household bins. Often, vapes can be returned to the retailer you purchased them from
Wallpaper Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Washing machines Household Waste and Recycling Centre The council also runs a bulky items collection service There is a charge for bulky items collection
Water filters Green-lidded general waste bin You can find your nearest recycling points for Brita filters on their website -
Waxed cartons Green-lidded general waste bin - Waxed cartons include coffee cups
Wine boxes Please separate the box and put that in your blue-lidded recycling bin. The inner plastic goes in your green-lidded general waste bin - -
Wine glasses Green-lidded general waste bin - Make sure it is wrapped up so nobody gets cut
Wires Household Waste and Recycling Centre - -
Wood and timber Household Waste and Recycling Centre - -
Wrapping paper Green-lidded general waste bin - -
Yellow pages Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Yoghurt drink bottles Blue-lidded recycling bin - -
Yoghurt pots Green-lidded general waste bin - -

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