It’s important that we all recycle properly, by putting the right things in the right bin. This means that recyclable materials aren't contaminated by things people have put in the wrong bin.
No matter which borough you live in you can put the following items in your recycling bin: cartons, mixed glass bottles and jars, food tins and drinks cans, mixed paper and card, mixed plastic packaging. You can also recycle garden waste and food waste (but not in Barnet).
Cartons Find out more
- Drink cartons (e.g juice, milk)
- Food cartons (e.g soup)
Please empty and rinse items first.
Mixed glass (bottles & jars) Find out more
- Bottles of any colour
- Jars with lids removed
- Non-food glass bottles with lids removed (e.g. perfume, aftershave)
Please empty and rinse items first.
Mixed paper & card Find out more
- Newspapers, magazines and catalogues, leaflets and flyers
- Envelopes (including with a window)
- Cardboard
- Greetings cards without glitter
- Other household paper e.g. computer paper and letters
Plastic packagingFind out more
- Drinks bottles
- Cosmetics bottles (e.g. shampoo, shower gel)
- Standard cleaning bottles (e.g. washing up liquid)
- Pots, tubs, trays and punnets
Please empty and rinse items first.
Food tins and drinks cansFind out more
- Drinks cans
- Food tins
- Empty aerosols (please remove plastic caps)
- Jar lids
- Clean foil and foil trays
Please empty and rinse items first.
A to Z of materials
If you would like to know how to dispose of a specific item then look at our A to Z list of materials.
Recycling in your borough
Visit the 'Contact Your Council' page to find out more about recycling and waste collection in your borough. If you need to find out which borough you live in, please look at your council tax bill.