This A to Z allows you to search for common waste items to find out how to recycle them. Use the navigation toolbar below to search for an item alphabetically or simply scroll through and browse.
You can also check Recycle Now's recycling locator tool to see if there are any alternative options for that item.
When disposing of your items remember that some may be suitable for reuse. Please always consider donating to a local charity shop or giving away your items on our Borehamwood or Potters Bar Freegle pages before throwing them away.
Recycling Centres in Hertsmere can be found at:
- Allum Lane, Elstree, WD6 3NN
- Cranborne Road, Potters Bar, EN6 3NN
Please check opening times before visiting.
Can't find the item you're looking for?
Email: street.scene@hertsmere.gov.uk
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Empty aerosol cans should go in your brown bin. Please do not put any helium or other cylinders in any of your bins - see separate information on gas cylinders.
Aluminium cans
Food tins and drinks cans should go in your brown bin.
Aluminium foil and foil containers
Clean foil and foil containers should go in your brown bin. Please remove all food residue, if it's too dirty put it in your black bin.
Asbestos
This is hazardous waste and cannot go in your household bins or be taken to the tip. To arrange a collection of small household items containing asbestos please contact WasteAware, email wasteaware@hertfordshire.gov.uk or phone 0300 123 4051. For larger amounts, or asbestos from trade waste you can find a private contractor at the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association.
Baby food pouches
These should go in your black refuse bin.
Batteries should never be put in any of your kerbside bins as this causes a high risk of fire. Recycle your batteries responsibly at recycling centres in the battery container or an electrical recycling point.
Bedding
Duvet covers, pillowcases and sheets can be recycled at one of our textiles bring banks or a Recycling Centre
Duvets, quilts and pillows should not be put in the textile banks but can be disposed of with household waste at a Recycling Centre. Alternatively some animal charities accept donations for use as bedding.
Birthday cards
Plain greetings cards can go in your brown bin. If they have foil or glitter on them please put them in your black bin.
Biscuit tins
These can go in your brown bin.
Black sacks
These should go in your black bin.
Blankets
These can be taken to one of our textile bring banks or to a Recycling Centre
Bones
These can go in your green bin.
Books
These should be donated to a charity shop where possible. If they are paperback they can be put in your brown bin providing the cover is removed first.
Bottle tops
These can go in your brown bin.
Bottles (glass)
These should go in your brown bin. It is not necessary to remove labels.
Bottles (plastic)
These should go in your brown bin. It is not necessary to remove labels. Bottle lids can also go in the brown bin.
Branches
Cut branches up so they fit in your green bin. Branches larger than 6 inches in diameter can be taken to a Recycling Centre
Bricks
DIY waste can be taken to a Recycling Centre
Brochures
These should go in your brown bin.
Brown paper
Brown paper and brown envelopes can go in your brown recycling bin.
Bubble wrap
This can't be recycled and should go in your black bin.
Building rubble
A limited amount can be taken to a Recycling Centre
Butter tubs
Plastic butter/margarine tubs can go in your brown bin.
Cameras in good condition can be donated to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle pages.
Alternatively electronic equipment can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Cans
Drinks cans and food tins can go in your brown bin. Please make sure cans are clean and empty.
Cardboard
This should go in your brown bin. Please cut up larger cardboard items to fit in your bin or if too big take it them to a Recycling Centre to recycle instead.
Carpet
Good quality carpet can be reused, so you can give it away on our Freegle pages.
Alternatively it can be taken to a Recycling Centre.
Cartons
Liquid food and drink cartons e.g. soup cartons, juice cartons, milk cartons should be washed out and put in your brown bin.
Cat food sachets
Flexible sachets/pouches should go in your black residual bin.
Cat litter
Cat litter and dog poop should go in your black bin. Cat litter labelled as biodegradable is not suitable for any of the recycling bins and should not be flushed down the toilet.
Catalogues
These should go in your brown bin.
CDs/DVDs
CDs/DVDs in good, working order can be donated to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle pages.
They can also be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Cellophane
This should go in your black residual bin.
Chargers
Electronic equipment should be taken to a Recycling Centre or a electricals recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Chairs
If in good condition you can donate chairs to a charity shop or give them away on our Freegle pages.
Chairs can also be taken to a Recycling Centre.
Or we can collect chairs from your property as part of our charged bulky waste collection service.
Christmas cards
Plain greetings cards can go in your brown bin. If they have any foil or glitter on them please put them in your black bin.
Christmas decorations
Good condition decorations can be donated or given away on our Freegle pages.
Tinsel and baubles should be put in your black residual bin. Fairy lights can be taken to a Recycling Centre.
Cling film
This should go in your black bin.
Clothing
Good quality clothing can be donated to a charity shop or there are several textiles banks in Hertsmere. Even damaged, torn, stained textiles can be recycled in one of these banks as they will be recycled into things like insulation and stuffing for sofas. Please do not put clothing or textiles in any of the recycling bins.
Coat hangers
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre. Metal hangers should be recycled in the metal container, plastic hangers in the rigid plastic container.
Wooden hangers will need to go in the non-recyclable container or your black bin as they are a mixture of metal and wood.
Hangers should not go in the brown bin.
Coffee grounds
These can go in your green bin.
Coffee jars
Glass coffee jars can be recycled in your brown bin.
Coffee pods
Compostable coffee pods are not accepted in the green or brown bins. They should go in your black bin. Alternatively, there are recycling programmes available - check PodBack to see if your coffee brand participates or Terracycle for additional brand takeback schemes.
Commercial waste
Hertsmere offer a chargeable commercial waste collection service for local businesses.
Compostable plastic
Whilst we recognise the benefit of reducing single use plastic some of the 'compostable' alternatives are not suited to the technologies used in Hertfordshire. For more information please see: Biodegradable Plastic - what you need to know.
Computers
If in good condition computers can be donated to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle pages. They can also be taken to a Recycling Centre or electricals recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Contact lenses
These should go in your black residual bin. Alternatively Terracycle have a contact lens and packaging recycling scheme available with drop-off locations nationwide.
Cookers
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre.
Alternatively, we offer a chargeable bulky waste collection service for this item.
Cooking oil
This can be taken to a Recycling Centre in sealed containers for recycling into biofuel or it can be put in your black bin.
Please do not pour cooking oil down your sink or in your green bin.
Corks
These should go in your black bin.
Cotton wool
This should go in your black bin.
Crockery
Good quality crockery can be donated to a charity shop. It can also be taken to a Recycling Centre
Crisp packets
These should go in your black residual bin. Alternatively Terracycle have a crisp packet recycling scheme available with drop-off locations nationwide.
Curtains
If in good condition these can be donated or given away on our Freegle pages.
Or they can be recycled in one of our textile banks or taken to a Recycling Centre even if they're in poor condition as they will be recycled into things like insulation and stuffing for sofas.
Cutlery
Good quality cutlery can be donated to a charity shop. It can also be taken to a Recycling Centre.
This should go in your black bin.
Deodorant container (aerosol spray)
Aerosol containers can go in your brown bin.
Deodorant (roll-on)
Roll-on deodorant containers should go in your black bin.
DIY waste
DIY waste can be taken to a Recycling Centre
Dog poo
Cat litter and dog poo should go in your black bin.
Drinking glasses
The glass used to make drinking glasses is different to food grade bottles and jars. Drinking glasses should go in your black bin or donate to charity.
Duvets
Duvets, quilts and pillows should not be put in the textile banks but can be disposed of with household waste at a Recycling Centre. Alternatively some animal charities accept donations for use as bedding.
DVD players
Good quality DVD players can be taken to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle pages.
They can also be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
DVDs/CDs
Good quality DVDs/CDs can be donated to a charity shop. They can also be taken to a Recycling Centre
Plastic or cardboard egg boxes can go in your brown bin.
Egg shells
These can go in your green bin.
Electrical appliances (large)
If in good condition these can be donated or given away on our Freegle pages. They can also be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Alternatively, we offer a chargeable bulky waste collection service.
Electrical appliances (small)
If in good condition these can be donated or given away on our Freegle pages.
They can also be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Envelopes
Envelopes (including plastic windows) should go in your brown bin.
There are several textiles banks in Hertsmere where you can take textiles including clothing,
shoes, sheets/covers and handbags.
Fencing
If in good condition fence panels can be given away on our Freegle pages. Fences and other treated wood can be taken to a Recycling Centre
Flowers
Flowers can be put in the green bin.
Foil
Clean foil and foil containers should go in your brown bin. Please remove all food residue, if it's too dirty put it in your black bin.
Food
All food can be put in the green bin - this includes raw or cooked food, bones, shells, peelings, leftovers, etc. Waste from the green bin is used to make compost.
Fridges and freezers
If in good condition these can be donated or given away on our Freegle pages.
Alternatively they can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point or Hertsmere offer a chargeable bulky waste collection service.
Fruit and vegetable peelings
These can be put in the green bin.
Fruit punnets
Plastic fruit containers can be put in the brown bin.
Frying pans
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre and put in the scrap metal container.
Furniture
Good quality furniture can be donated to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle pages.
Hertsmere offer a chargeable bulky waste collection service for furniture
Both electrical and non-electrical tools can be taken to a Recycling Centre.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Garden waste
Leaves/twigs, grass cuttings, prunings, dead flowers and other similar garden waste can go in the green bin.
Gas cylinders
Do not put cylinders in any of your bins at home - they pose a fire risk if they are crushed, they contaminate the other recycling and can damage the equipment. These include pressurised helium and Sodastream cylinders.and damage the machinery at sorting facilities.
- contact the manufacturer or supplier for disposal advice.
- dispose of them at a recycling centre, at the cannister collection point.
- Helium cannisters - as above, but please empty and puncture the cannister first.
- Soda streams - contact Sodastream for a pre-paid shipping label.
- Calor Gas bottles - contact your local Calor centre for collection.
Common household aerosols such as deodorants or room spray are fine to go in your brown bin.
Glass
Glass bottles and jars should go in your brown bin.
Other glass such as cookware (e.g. Pyrex), drinking glasses, mirrors, window panes and spectacles should be put in the black bin as it is a different type of glass to that of food grade bottles and jars.
Grass cuttings
These should go in your green bin.
Greaseproof paper
This should go in the black bin.
Greetings cards
Plain greetings cards can go in your brown bin. If they have any foil or glitter on please put them in your black bin.
Good quality handbags can be donated to a charity shop or there are several textiles banks in Hertsmere where you can take textiles including clothing, shoes, sheets/covers and handbags.
Hairdryers
Electrical items can also be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Hard plastic
Plastic items such as furniture, toys, tupperware and plastic containers other than household/food packaging can be taken to a Recycling Centre and put in the rigid plastic container.
Hats
Good quality hats can be donated to a charity shop or there are several textiles banks in Hertsmere where you can take textiles including clothing, shoes, hats, sheets/covers and handbags.
Hay
This can be put in the green bin.
Hedge Trimmings
This can be put in the green bin.
Hoover/Vacuum
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Hoover bags
These should go in your black residual bin.
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre.
Irons
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Ink cartridges
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre
Glass jars can be put in your brown bin.
These can be taken to a Recycling centre or electrical recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Kitchen roll
This should go in your black residual bin
Kitchen/toilet roll tubes
Cardboard tubes can go in your brown bin.
Good quality lamps can be donated to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle Pages.
Alternatively lamps can be recycled at a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Lampshade
Good quality lamps can be donated to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle Pages.
Lampshades often contain a mix of materials and therefore cannot be recycled. Lampshades should be put in your black refuse bin.
Lawnmower
Good quality lawnmowers can be donated to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle Pages.
Lawnmowers can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Leaves
These should go in your green bin.
Light bulbs
Energy efficient light bulbs can be recycled at a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Old style incandescent or Tungsten light bulbs cannot be recycled. Please put them in your black bin.
These should go in your brown bin.
Mattresses
Good quality mattresses can be given away on our Freegle Pages or they can be taken to a Recycling Centre
Alternatively Hertsmere offer a chargeable bulky waste collection service for furniture.
Meat
Meat should go in your green bin.
Microwaves
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Metal pots and pans
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre and put in the scrap metal container.
Mirrors
These can be donated to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle Pages.
Alternatively they can go in your black bin. Do not put them in your brown bin - mirrors are a different type of glass to bottles and jars.
Mobile phones
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point. Alternatively you can get paid to recycle your phone by searching online to compare and recycle.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
These should go in your black bin.
Nappies
Disposable nappies should go in your black bin.
Have you considered using real nappies? Parents looking for a way to reduce their impact on the planet are turning to reusable nappies as an eco-friendly and cost effective option. The nappy pins and terry towels of old are a far cry from the reusable nappies of today. With fitted designs, a huge array of different materials and styles to suit all routines and needs, reusable nappies are a fun, simple and responsible way to care for your child and their future.
If you live in Hertfordshire and look after children in nappies it’s easy to apply for 15% off products from selected suppliers. Simply visit the Herts Reusable Nappies pages and complete the application form to apply for access to these discounts.
Newspaper
This should go in your brown bin.
Oven gloves, even if in poor condition, can be recycled at a textiles bank.
Oven
Ovens can be recycled at a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Hertsmere offers a chargeable bulky waste collection service for this item.
This can be taken to a Recycling Centre. It should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Paint containers
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre. Do not put them in your brown or black bin.
Paper
White paper, brown paper, newspaper, envelopes and magazines should be put in the brown bin. Shredded paper should be wrapped in a newspaper or envelope to keep it contained and stop it blowing away.
Pet food sachets
These should go in your black residual bin.
Pet waste
Cat litter and dog poo should go in your black bin. Cat litter labelled as biodegradable is not suitable for any of the recycling bins and should not be flushed down the toilet.
Photographs
These should go in the black bin.
Pillowcases
There are several textiles banks in Hertsmere where you can take textiles including clothing, shoes, bedding and handbags.
Pillows
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre or donated to an animal shelter for bedding.
Pizza boxes
Only clean cardboard can go in your brown bin. Used pizza boxes that are greasy or have food residue on them should go in your black bin.
Plasters
These should go in your black bin.
Plastic bags/wrapping
'Soft plastics' such as carrier bags, bread bags, frozen food bags, clingfilm and any other film or bag should go in the black bin. Alternatively there are collection points for soft plastics at many larger supermarkets.
Plastic bottles
These should go in your brown bin.
Plates
Ceramic plates in good condition can be donated to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle pages. Alternatively these can be taken to a Recycling Centre.
Polystyrene
This should go in your black bin.
Pringles tubes
These should go in your black bin.
Printers
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point. If in good condition, printers can be donated to a charity shop or given away on our Freegle pages
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Pyrex
If in good condition Pyrex containers or cookware can be donated to a charity shop or given away on one of our Freegle pages.
Pyrex is made from treated glass which cannot be recycled so should not be put in the brown bin with other glass bottles and jars.
This can be put in your green bin.
Shoes
There are several textiles banks in Hertsmere where you can take textiles including clothing, shoes, sheets/covers and handbags. Please only put paired shoes in the textiles banks - keep them together with a rubber band or tie the laces.
Shredded paper
Shredded paper can go in the brown bin. It should be contained by wrapping in a newspaper or envelope to keep to stop it blowing away.
Soil
This can be taken to a Recycling Centre. Please do not put soil or turf in your green bin.
Sponges
These should go in your black bin.
Straw
This should go in your green bin.
Straws
Plastic drinking straws should go in your black bin. Consider using alternatives such as reusable metal straws that you can take with you on the go.
There are several textiles banks in Hertsmere where you can take textiles including clothing, shoes, sheets/covers and tablecloths. Even damaged, torn, stained textiles can be recycled in one of these banks as they will be recycled into things like insulation and stuffing for sofas.
Tables
Good quality tables can be donated to a charity shop or given away on one of our Freegle pages
These can also be taken to a Recycling Centre or Hertsmere offers a chargeable bulky waste collection service for this item.
Take-away containers
Plastic and foil takeaway containers should be washed out and put in your brown bin. Please make sure they are clean and don't contain any food residue.
Tea bags
These can go in the green bin.
Teddy bears
Teddy bears in good condition can be donated to a charity shop or given away on one of our Freegle pages.
Telephones
Electrical equipment can also be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Televisions
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point.
Alternatively, Hertsmere offer a chargeable bulky waste collection service for this item.
Tetrapak
Food and drink cartons such as milk cartons, juice cartons and soup cartons should be washed out and put in your brown bin.
Textiles
There are several textiles banks in Hertsmere where you can take textiles including clothing, shoes, sheets/covers and handbags. Even damaged, torn, stained textiles can be recycled in one of these banks as they will be recycled into things like insulation and stuffing for sofas. Please do not put clothing or textiles in any of the recycling bins.
Tins
Food tins and drink cans should go in your brown bin. Please make sure they are empty and clean.
Tissues
Tissues and tissue paper should go in the black bin.
Toilet/kitchen roll tubes
Cardboard tubes should go in the brown bin.
Toothbrushes
Plastic toothbrushes should go in the black bin. If you use a bamboo toothbrush this must also go in the black bin or you can use a home composter (not your green bin).
Toothpaste tubes and pumps
These should go in the black bin.
Towels
There are several textiles banks in Hertsmere where you can take textiles including clothing, shoes, sheets/covers and towels. Even damaged, torn, stained textiles can be recycled in one of these banks as they will be recycled into things like insulation and stuffing for sofas. Alternatively you could donate them to a local animal shelter for bedding.
Trade waste
Hertsmere offer a chargeable commercial waste collection service.
Tree cuttings
These should go in the green bin.
Trolley (shopping trolley)
Abandoned shopping trolley's can be reported to TrolleyWise
Tyres
These should be taken to a Recycling Centre
These should go in the green bin.
This should go in the black bin.
Washing machines
These can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point. Alternatively, Hertsmere offer a chargeable bulky waste collection for this item
Washing powder boxes
These can go in your brown bin.
WEEE - (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
Both large and small electrical equipment can be taken to a Recycling Centre or electrical recycling point. Alternatively Hertsmere offer a chargeable bulky waste collection for larger items.
Electrical items should not be placed in any of your kerbside bins.
Wipes
These cannot be recycled and should go in your black bin. Please do not flush any type of wipe down the toilet, even if they say they are flushable - they are not!
Wood
Natural wood can go in the green bin. Waste from the green bin is used to make compost for local farmers.
Treated wood such as fence panels, baskets, furniture, etc. should be taken to a Recycling Centre
Wrapping paper
This should go in the black bin.
These should go in your brown bin.
Yoghurt pots
These can go in your brown bin. Please ensure they are empty and clean.
