What can go in each container

If you are not sure if it can be recycled keep it out of the bin

• Keep it loose
  • Recycling must be placed loose into the mixed recycling bin and must not be placed in carrier bags or black bin bags.
  • If recycling is placed in bags it risks the quality of our material and the recycling company can reject the entire load.
• Keep it clean and empty
  • Mixed recycling must be clean and empty of food waste before putting it into the mixed recycling bin e.g. pots, tub, trays, bottle and jars must be rinsed. If recycling has food waste on it, we risk our whole load being rejected for recycling.
• Please wash and squash containers
  • We will collect your mixed recycling every other week. Check your week on Where I live (at the foot of this page).
• If in doubt keep it out
  • Items that are not acceptable are being found in the mixed recycling bin, risking the entire load. Please help us to recycle more: if in doubt keep the items out.

Yes please

• Clean Plastic bottles
  • Shampoo, bubble bath and body wash bottles
  • Fizzy and juice drink bottles
  • Plastic milk containers
  • Bleach and other cleaning product bottles (rinsed please)
  • Roll-on deodorant bottles (we can now take these, but please ensure they are empty) 
• Clean Plastic pots, tubs and trays
  • Yoghurt/dessert pots
  • Coleslaw/dip pots 
  • Margarine/butter tubs
  • Ice-Cream tubs
  • Food and meat trays
  • Fruit punnets
• Clean cans and tins (including lids)
• Empty aerosols (except gardening, DIY, hazardous)
• Clean glass bottle and jars (any colour)
• Clean food and drink cartons (foil & waxed lined) 
  • juice cartons
  • soup cartons
  • milk cartons
• Bottle and jar tops
• Clean foil (including food trays)

No thanks

• Dirty and bagged recycling
• Food waste (use your food recycling caddy please)
• Containers with food or residues of food waste (everything must be clean for recycling)
• Paper/cardboard (use your paper recycling box please)
• Clinical/sanitary waste
  • Nappies
  • Bags from clinical waste
• Black and white bin bags (use your refuse bin)
• Textiles e.g. shoes, clothing, rags (use local recycling centre please)
• Garden waste (visit the garden waste section to become a member)
• Hazardous waste
  • Electrical items
  • Batteries
  • Any kind of liquid
• Polystyrene
• Bubble wrap
• Cling film
• Blister packs
• Confectionery wrapping
  • Crisp packets
  • Sweet/biscuit wrappers
• Plastic carrier bags
• Plastic bags and film e.g. plastic film, salad bags, bread bags, frozen veg bags
• Plastic food packets with foil lining e.g. pet food, sauces
• Hard plastic including plastic toys, plants pots, coast hangers, storage boxes
• Tubes (toothpaste - dried toothpaste can not be washed by recyclers)
• Kitchenware ie pyrex, crockery, earthenware, cutlery, glasses, pots, pans, trays
• Chinaware, mirrors, window panes
• Wood
• Nets, string, rope

Light bulbs and water filters can be recycled at the Surrey County Council community recycling centre at Earlswood and Epsom. Water filters can also be recycled at local retail shops e.g. Robert Dyas.

Please rinse items before putting them in your mixed recycling bin.

Container dimensions

Mixed recycling bin height - 107 cm width - 48 cm depth - 55.5 cm