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A-Z of business waste items

Any waste or recycling from your business should be collected and disposed of by a licensed waste carrier. If the item you wish to dispose of isn't listed you can consult Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) sector-specific guidance.

You can also ask us to collect large unwanted items by adding your business details to your profile after setting up a personal online account.

A

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Aerosol cans Dry mixed recycling Empty aerosols such as deodorants and air freshener style can be put in the dry mixed recycling container.

B

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Batteries None It's essential for the health and safety of staff and members of the public that batteries are not disposed of in waste containers as they pose a risk of fire or explosion with the potential to cause serious injury. Businesses should arrange with a licenced waste disposal company for the safe disposal of batteries.

C

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Cans (food and drink) Dry mixed recycling Cans should be clean and empty before being put in the recycling container.
Cardboard - including corrugated Paper and card Break down large cardboard boxes into smaller pieces to save space before putting in the container.
Cards (greeting) Paper and card Plain cards only, any with foil or glitter should be placed in general waste.
Cartons (food and drink) Dry mixed recycling Cartons that aren't foil or plastic, eg Tetra Pak should be placed in dry mixed recycling.
Catalogues and brochures Paper and card Plain only; any with foil or glitter should be placed in general waste.
Chocolate and sweet wrappers General waste Some wrappers are considered soft plastics and can be recycled at supermarkets and other local locations. Check for the 'recycle at store' logo on the packet. If they don't have them, they need to go in your general waste container.
Chemicals None Its essential for the health and safety of staff and members of the public that chemicals aren't disposed of in waste containers or watercourse as they pose a risk of fire or explosion with the potential to cause serious injury and harm. Businesses should arrange with a licenced waste disposal company for the safe disposal of chemicals.
Coffee pods General waste Most pod manufacturers have a recycling scheme. Please visit their website for more details, otherwise they need to go in your general waste container.
Crisp packets General waste Some crisp packets are considered soft plastics and can be recycled at supermarkets and other local locations. Check for the 'recycle at store' logo on the packet.

E

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Electrical Items None It's essential for the health and safety of staff and members of the public that electrical items aren't disposed of in waste containers as they pose a risk of fire or explosion with the potential to cause serious injury. Businesses should make arrangements with a licenced waste disposal company for the safe disposal of electrical items.
Envelopes Paper and card Plastic window must be removed.
Envelopes padded with plastic General waste We recommend reuse of padded/plastic envelopes where possible. If they're no longer suitable for reuse, split the paper from the plastic and place the paper in your paper and card container. The plastics should be put in your general waste container.

F

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Foil sheets - kitchen foil Dry mixed recycling Clean aluminium foil can go in your dry mixed recycling container. If it's soiled and can't be removed by washing then place it in the general waste container.
Foil trays Dry mixed recycling Clean aluminium trays can go in your dry mixed recycling container. If it's soiled and can't be removed by washing then place it in the general waste container.
Food tins Dry mixed recycling Please wash tins out before disposing in the correct container.
Food waste Food waste Businesses with 10+ full time employees are required to have a separate food waste collection. Businesses with less than 10 full time employees can opt to have a food waste container or dispose of food in their general waste container.

G

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Gas cannisters, bottles and cylinders None

It's essential for the health and safety of staff and members of the public that gas vessels aren't disposed of in waste containers as they pose a risk of fire or explosion with the potential to cause serious injury. Businesses should arrange with a licenced waste disposal company for the safe disposal of gas vessels.

Where possible, we encourage any used gas cylinders, bottles or canisters to be returned to the supplier/manufacturer for safe reuse or recycling.
Glass bottles and jars - any colour Dry mixed recycling Bottles can be collected in your dry mixed recycling container.

I

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Ice cream tubs Dry mixed recycling Please rinse before disposing of these.

J

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Jiffy bags and padded envelopes Paper and card/general waste Some jiffy-style bags can be easily reused. If they're not suitable for reuse, most can be separated down to paper and plastic. The paper can be recycled in your paper and card container and the plastic in your general waste.
Junk mail Paper and card Please make sure to dispose of any outer plastic wrapping and remove windows from envelopes.

K

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Kitchen foil Dry mixed recycling Clean aluminium foil, including foil from items such as chocolate eggs can go in your dry mixed recycling container. If it's soiled then place it in the general waste container.

L

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Lids (metal) Dry mixed recycling -

M

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Margarine tubs Dry mixed recycling Please rinse before disposing of these.
Milk bottles (plastic) Dry mixed recycling Please rinse before disposing of these.

N

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Newspapers Paper and card Newspapers that have considerably aged or are damp will need to be placed into the general waste container.

P

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Paper Paper and card Plain greeting cards, junk mail, envelopes, catalogues, brochures, phone directories, newspapers and magazines can be recycled. These must be dry and free from food contamination.
Plastic bottles Dry mixed recycling Please rinse before disposal.
Plastic film/bags General waste

Use canvas or material bags for durability and longevity, or 'bags for life' that can be replaced for free when they've reached the end of their usability.

Plastic film and bags can be recycled at supermarkets and other local locations. If not, they need to go in your general waste container.
Plastic food pots (eg yoghurt pots) Dry mixed recycling Please place these in your dry mixed recycling container for correct recycling.
Plastic food trays (eg meat trays, fruit punnets) Dry mixed recycling Please place these in your dry mixed recycling container for correct recycling.
Plastic food tubs (eg margarine tubs) Dry mixed recycling Please place these in your dry mixed recycling container for correct recycling.
Polystyrene packaging General waste Please make sure this is removed from cardboard boxes prior to disposal and then place in general waste.

T

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Telephone directory Paper and card -
TetraPak (food and drink cartons) Dry mixed recycling TetraPak should be placed in dry mixed recycling.

V

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Vapes None Its essential for the health and safety of staff and members of the public that vapes aren't disposed of in waste containers as they pose a risk of fire or explosion with the potential to cause serious injury. Vapes should be returned to the retailer for safe disposal.

W

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Wrapping paper - without metal, foil or glitter Paper and card If it's in good condition it could be saved and reused for another occasion.
Wrapping paper - with metal, foil or glitter General waste If it's in good condition it could be saved and reused for another occasion, otherwise it needs to be discarded in the general waste container.

Y

Item Which bin it goes in Details
Yogurt pots Dry mixed recycling Please place these in your dry mixed recycling container for correct recycling.