What goes in the blue recycling bin, blue sacks, or clear sacks

Blue recycling bins, blue sacks, and clear sacks are for recycling only. We won't collect your recycling bins or sacks if they contain non-recyclable household waste.

Recycling tips

squash plastic containers to save space
rinse bottles, jars, cartons, and cans to keep your bin clean
learn more about recycling plastics at Recycling plastics
items for recycling should be placed loose in your bin - please do not place them into your bin in bags

Yes - put these in blue bins, blue sacks, and clear sacks

These recycling items should be placed loose in your blue bin or clear sacks:

aerosol cans (empty only)
aluminium drinks cans
art paper (not glued)
biscuit and sweet tins
books
brochures and catalogues
cardboard (clean)
cardboard egg boxes
cardboard labels
cardboard tubes from toilet rolls and kitchen paper
cling film (clean)
food and drink cartons (rinsed)
glass bottles and jars (clean)
greetings cards (no glitter)
juice cartons
junk mail
kitchen foil (clean)
long life milk cartons
metal food tins
metal lids and bottle tops
newspapers and magazines
paper envelopes (with and without windows)
plastic bottle tops (pop the tops back on bottles before recycling)
plastic bubble wrap
plastic carrier bags - should be empty, do not fill
plastic cleaning product bottles (without the trigger attachment)
plastic drink bottles (squash the bottle then pop the lid back on)
plastic food pots, punnets, trays and packaging including black plastic trays
plastic milk bottles (squash the bottle then pop the lid back on)
plastic sandwich packaging
plastic shampoo bottles
plastic yoghurt, margarine and ice cream containers
shredded paper
telephone directories
white and coloured paper
wrapping paper (no glitter or metallics)

No - do not put these in blue bins, blue sacks or clear sacks

Your blue bins, blue sacks, or clear sacks will not be collected if these items are found inside:

batteries - see Recycling batteries
bedding (donate to charity if possible)
black sacks
chinaware (donate to charity if possible)
clothes and coats (donate to charity if possible)
coffee machine pods - see Podback coffee pod recycling
cooking pots and pans
crisp packets
diy products - take them to Redbridge Household Waste Recycling Centre
electricals - see Recycling electrical items
food-soiled metal cans and tins
glass cookware
glass mirrors
glued or painted paper, card and cardboard
hard plastic, such as storage boxes
jiffy bags - please re-use these as much as possible
kitchen roll
large metal items such as filing cabinets
light bulbs and strip lights
plastic black bin liners
plastic plant pots
plastic sweet and chocolate wrappers
plastic toys
polystyrene foam
shoes (donate to charity if possible)
textiles (clothes, bedding, curtains) - see Recycling textiles
tissue paper
window panes

Everyone is responsible for correct recycling

In the financial year 2023 to 2024, 9.15% of contents in blue bins, blue sacks and clear sacks were non-recyclable items. The recycling plant can turn away entire loads when non-recyclable items are found. Correct recycling is everyone's responsibility and it's important to understand proper recycling methods to save costs and protect the environment.