How do I dispose of...

Includes: hairspray, deodorant spray, etc. (non hazardous items)

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection - check with your district council

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Before you dispose:

• Make sure it is empty
• Do not squash or pierce

Hazardous aerosols are not collected at the kerbside or at the recycling and household waste sites. Hazardous household aerosols are usually found in the garage or shed (examples include: insect spray, spray paint, WD 40, de icer, etc). To dispose of these items you need a free waste permit and should be taken to Labwaste in Hinckley.

Includes foil, food trays, milk bottle tops, cans etc.

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council. Please make sure they have been rinsed and dried.

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 
• By local charities – check if they accept aluminium 
   

Includes domestic pet faeces, hay, straw, paper, saw dust, etc.

Can be disposed of:

• At your local recycling and household waste site

The sites can accept some animal waste and bedding from domestic animals such as rabbits, hamsters, cats and dogs, in small quantities (up to 7kg within your general non-recyclable household waste). 

We aren’t able to accept:

• quantities above 7kg
• separately collected pet waste or 
• waste from non-domestic animals, eg pigs or equine animals. 

If you are unsure please call our customer service centre. Telephone: 0116 305 0001

Some animal bedding can be recycled and composted:
•    Used bedding from non-meat eating pets i.e. rabbits or guinea pigs can be composted at home with other green waste

Find out more about composting

Hazardous Waste: Asbestos is a hazardous substance and must be disposed of in landfills designed for hazardous waste. Asbestos must not be put in with your general rubbish or recycling.

Only cement bonded asbestos can be taken to recycling and household waste sites i.e. corrugated or flat sheets.

Household cement bonded asbestos can only be disposed at the following recycling and household waste sites:

• Coalville
• Whetstone
• Mountsorrel

You will need a waste permit

Before you dispose:

• Double wrap the cement bonded asbestos in clear plastic sheeting. Please note that cling film isn't acceptable.
• Do not break or cut the cement bonded asbestos cement to fit small bags
• Damp down with water to prevent the release of cement bonded asbestos cement fibres

Includes bath, sink, toilet, bidet, shower etc

Can be reused:

• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Find out more about waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting in Leicestershire 

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• Take to your local recycling and household waste site

Hazardous waste - includes car, dry cell, portable

May be part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Reduce what you use:

• Rechargeable batteries reduce waste and save money in the long term
• If possible use mains electricity

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest
• At some supermarkets

Do not put in your general waste bin as they can cause fires. Batteries contain toxic and corrosive materials so should be recycled. 

Business waste advice:

If you produce or distribute batteries you must be a member of the Battery Compliance Scheme.

Includes fitted bedroom units/fitted wardrobes/fitted units etc.

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites. 
You can at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or through a licensed waste collection company. Find out where you can take business or commercial waste

Find out where you can take business or commercial waste

Includes bed frames, divans, mattresses

Reduce what you use:

• If possible repair furniture items for continued use

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Find out more about waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting in Leicestershire

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes bicycles and bicycle parts

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition or suitable for repair advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local bike recycling project
• List on reuse websites e.g. Freegle, Freecycle or Gumtree

Find out more about waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting in Leicestershire

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Bicycle tyres and inner tubes can be taken to a local Velorim Centre to be recycled - please note that a small contribution towards this is usually requested. If you are unable to get to one of these centres, they can be disposed of in your kerbside waste bin.

Includes central heating boiler etc

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Arrange a bulky waste collection from your district council

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites. 
You can at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or through a licensed waste collection company. Find out where you can take business or commercial waste

Find out where you can take business or commercial waste

Includes books, magazines etc.

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity 
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Find out more about waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting in Leicestershire

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest

Includes bricks, rubble, hardcore, etc

Can be reused:

• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Hire a skip for large quantities
• Take to your local recycling and household waste site

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites. 
You can at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or through a licensed waste collection company.

Find out where you can take business or commercial waste

Includes bricks, slabs, rubble, concrete, doors, window frames, fitted kitchens, bathroom suites, fitted wardrobes etc

Can be reused:

• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Hire a skip for large quantities
• Take to your local recycling and household waste site

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites. 
You can at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or through a licensed waste collection company.

Find out where you can take business or commercial waste
 

Includes any waste that comes from any commercial activity ie agriculture, construction, demolition, retail, manufacturing

Business waste can only be taken to Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or disposed through a licensed waste collection company.

Find out where you can take business or commercial waste

Further information about managing business or commercial waste is available from gov.uk.

Not recyclable/not part of your kerbside collection (includes CD's, DVD's, computer games)

Remove the paper insert and put the CD and its case in the general waste bin.

Reduce what you use:

• Download music/films etc.

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree
• Sell online using companies like eBay, Music Magpie, Zapper, Ziffit. Please be aware some offer free postage, while others will charge you postage.

Includes stand alone, wall mounted, kitchen, bedroom etc.
Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay  or Gumtree 
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree 

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site if broken down and separated  into its component parts
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes aluminium and steel cans 

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council. Please make sure they have been rinsed and dried.

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 
• A local community project may accept them to raise money

Can be taken to your local recycling and houshold waste site.

Includes cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, egg boxes etc

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Reduce what you use:

• Buy items with less packaging

Can be reused:

• List boxes for storage or packing on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Can be put in a compost bin:

• Card such as egg boxes or toilet roll tubes can be added to your compost bin. 

Find out more about composting

Includes greeting cards, Christmas/birthday cards etc.

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Cards with glitter, embellishments and batteries will not be accepted. Where possible, take out the battery and recycle seperately (see more details under Batteries). Please place cards with glitter and other embellishments in the general waste.

Reduce what you use:

• Send e-cards

Can be reused:

• Use old cards as gift tags 
• Use old cards for art and craft projects

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow 

Includes carpets, rugs and mats

Can be reused:

• If in very good condition / nearly new donate to a local reuse organisation or charity 
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Take to your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes plastic carrier bags

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Reduce what you use:

• Use reusable bags

Can be reused:

• Use as bin liners 
• Take with you when you go shopping 

Can be recycled:

• Some supermarkets offer a recycling facility for carrier bags in store - check with your local store for details 

Includes cars, motorbikes, other vehicles and vehicle parts

Can be reused:

• Sell privately - advertise in your local paper, local shop window, Ebay or Gumtree
• Sell to a dealer or trader

Advice about selling a car from the Money advice service

Can be recycled:

• Contact your local scrap yard 

It’s illegal to abandon a vehicle. To report an abandoned vehicle please contact your district council

Includes juice, milk, soup and other food cartons (tetra pak)

May be part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council. Please make sure they have been rinsed and dried.

Reduce what you use:

• Buy products in reusable packaging. i.e. milk in glass bottles

Can be recycled:

• At some local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Not recyclable (includes VHS, music tapes etc.)

Remove the paper insert and put the cassette and its case in the general waste bin.

Can be reused:

• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Includes office, kitchen, dining, lounge, armchair, etc.

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay  or Gumtree 
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Hard chairs can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site if broken down and separated  into its component parts
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Soft chairs cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• Take to your local recycling and household waste site
• Put in your general waste bin

Includes household and garden chemicals including anti mould and anti-fungus plant sprays, timber treatments, drain cleaners, mice and rat poison, weed killers, moss treatment, garden pesticides, brake fluid, paraffin, oven cleaner.

Also see: 
Pesticides
Engine Oil

Reduce what you use:

• Only purchase the amount you need to avoid excess wastage
• Use non-toxic equivalents
• Handle and store the chemicals appropriately to maximise their useful life
• Prevent unnecessary wastage and spillages by making sure caps and lids are replaced securely

We do not accept any chemicals at our Recycling and Household Waste Sites.

You can dispose small amounts of household chemicals such as oven cleaner or other household chemicals with a chemical waste permit.

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay  or Gumtree 
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree 

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site if broken down and separated  into its component parts
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes pushchair, high chair, cot, car seat, stair gate etc.
Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay  or Gumtree 
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree 

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site if broken down and separated  into its component parts
• Hard plastic component parts are handled separately.  Visit Plastic (Hard) for more information. 
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
   

Real Christmas tress may be part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Real Christmas trees can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site

Artificial Christmas trees cannot be recycled, they can be reused: 

• If in good condition donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Includes dressings, bandages, swabs, needles, syringes, contaminated materials, or medicines that contain biologically active pharmaceutical agents.

Clinical waste does not include absorbent hygiene products such as nappies or feminine hygiene products. 

You can recycle empty contaminant free packaging and containers:

• As part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council
• At some local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Clinical waste cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Consult your GP or Nurse to find out if waste is clinical waste and how it can be disposed
• Contact your district council to arrange collection of clinical waste/sharps
• Take any unwanted medicines to your local pharmacy 

Advice for businesses:

The management of clinical waste is dictated by the Department of Health guidelines. If you dispose of clinical waste then you must use a company that provides specialist clinical waste disposal. 
 

Includes clothing, underwear etc

May be part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Reduce what you use:

• Repair clothes or give them a new lease of life - visit Less Waste and GoLearn to find out what classes are on offer to help you get the most out of your clothes and reduce clothing waste.
• Visit Love Your Clothes for tips and advice

Can be reused:

• If in good condition donate unwanted clothes to local charities
• If in good condition sell on Ebay or at your local car boot sale
• Reuse textile items by upcycling or re-purposing them

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

These cannot be recycled in your kerbside collection or local Recycling and Household Waste Site.

If compatible with your coffee pod machine, consider buying reusable pods that can be refilled with ground coffee.

Some brands are collected for recycling by a company called TerraCycle and a new nationwide scheme called Podback also offers a recycling service. Some brands may offer their own recycling collection system. Please refer to the individual manufacture’s website for further information. Otherwise please dispose of them in your general waste bin.

Includes computers, laptops, computer equipment, video game consoles etc

May be part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Please remove all confidential data from your PC, laptop, phone or tablet before you dispose of it.

Can be reused:

• If in working condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle, Gumtree
• Donate to local reuse groups or charities.

Can be recycled:

• Some stores accept used computers from customers buying new ones 
• At your local recycling and household waste site

Before you dispose:

• Ensure personal files / data are removed from the computer

Includes concrete, rubble, hardcore etc

Can be reused:

• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Hire a skip for large quantities
• Take to your local recycling and household waste site

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites. 
You can at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or through a licensed waste collection company.

Find out where you can take business or commercial waste
 

Includes white electrical and electronic equipment 

Can be reused:

• If in working condition or can be easily repaired, advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• When you buy a replacement, the store may offer to take your old item away for recycling
• Take into some electrical stores for free recycling ie Currys PC World

Includes different types of cooking oil

Can be reused:

• Soak small quantities of cooking oil into stale bread and feed to the birds 

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site There are special containers for oils

You can recycle empty containers:

• As part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council
• At some local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Advice for businesses:

Donate used cooking oil to Biodiesel companies who will convert it into biodiesel.
Some charities may collect used cooking oil to fund projects.
Do not pour down sinks or drains as this can lead to prosecution. 

Place any card and paper, which consists of the test kit box, vial holding card and leaflet, into your kerbside recycling collection.

Place and seal all other items into the long waste bag provided and put into your general waste bin.

Not recyclable/not part of your kerbside collection (includes CD's, DVD's, computer games). 

Remove the paper insert and put the DVD and its case in the general waste bin.

Reduce what you use:

• Download music or films etc

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle, Freegle or Gumtree
• Sell online using companies like eBay, Music Magpie, Zapper, Ziffit. Please be aware some offer free postage, while others will charge you postage.

Includes dead animals on the public highway or dead pets

Contact your local council to report a dead animal on a public highway that could pose a danger to road users. 

Pet owners can find information about what to do when a pet dies at gov.uk

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay  or Gumtree 
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree 

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site if broken down and separated  into its component parts
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
   

Includes white electrical and electronic equipment 

Can be reused:

• If in working condition or can be easily repaired, advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• When you buy a replacement, the store may offer to take your old item away for recycling
• Take into some electrical stores for free recycling ie Currys PC World

Dispose of barbecues in your general waste  

Make sure they are cold before disposal

Reuse:

Consider using a metal reusable barbecues (if disposing of a reusable barbecues, these can go in the scrap metal bin at recycling and houshold waste sites)

Includes internal and external doors

Can be reused:

• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes bedding such as duvets, pillows, sleeping bags etc

Can be reused:

• If clean and in good condition donate to a local reuse organisation, charity or local homeless shelter
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Bulky stuffed items including duvets and pillows are not suitable for recycling, dispose:

• in your general waste bin
• at your local recycling and household waste site

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site in the small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling bin

Before you dispose:

• Make sure you remove the gas canister and any chemicals first and dispose of according to the manufacturers guidance.

Includes large electrical appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers etc.

Can be reused:

• If in working condition or can be easily repaired, advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• When you buy a replacement, the store may offer to take your old item away for recycling
• Take into some electrical stores for free recycling ie Currys PC World

Includes small household appliances such as microwaves, vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, irons, IT and telecommunication equipment etc.

TVs and monitors need to be disposed of separately.  

May be part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Please remove all confidential data from your PC, laptop, phone or tablet before you dispose of it.

Can be reused:

• If in working condition or can be easily repaired, advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• When you buy a replacement, the store may offer to take your old item away for recycling
• Take into some electrical stores for free recycling ie Currys PC World

Includes diesel and automotive oil

Engine oil must not be placed in your general waste or recycling bins.

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site There are special containers for oils.

Advice for businesses:

See the Oil Care website for information and advice on disposing engine oil and industrial oils.  

Do not pour down sinks or drains as this can lead to prosecution. 

These cannot be recycled in your kerbside collection or local Recycling and Household Waste Site.

Please dispose of them in your general waste bin.

Includes domestic fire extinguishers

Many companies which supply fire extinguishers will accept empty or used extinguishers so they can refill it for reuse or arrange recycling using their own approved recycling routes.

Check with the supplier of the Fire Extinguisher to see if they accept empty or used extinguishers.

Advice for businesses:

Contact your supplier to check if they accept empty or used fire extinguishers.
Contact Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Includes fire ashes, wood burning stove ashes and fire pit ashes

Must be cold before diposal (see below)

Can be recycled:

• at your local recycling and household waste site. Please speak to a member of staff who will advise you which container the ashes should be placed in.

Before you dispose:

• dispose of ashes in a metal container that can be tightly closed, douse with water, place the closed container outside your home away from combustible materials and leave in the container for several days before disposing of them. 

Includes fireplaces and surrounds

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in working condition or can be easily repaired, advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freeuse, Freecycle, or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site (charges apply)
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes fireworks, flares and similar explosives 

To dispose of part fired, misfired or dud fireworks:

Never place them in your general waste bin as they could accidentally be ignited and explode

• Never put fireworks, even those which are fully spent, on the bonfire. This is highly dangerous because some fireworks may contain unexploded shells.
• Never bury fireworks
• Soak misfired or partly spent fireworks in a bucket of water for at least 24 hours and contact the manufacturer or supplier for advice on disposal
• If possible, take unused, part-fired or dud fireworks back to the retailer to handle disposal 
• Contact local fire services for advice about disposing fireworks safely 

For further information and advice see the Safer Fireworks website 

Includes foam, polystyrene chips, cups etc

Reduce what you use:

• Use reusable cups 

These items cannot be recycled, so do not put in your kerbside recycling collection.

Dispose in your general waste bin.

Includes wasted food, peelings, leftovers, etc

Reduce what you use:

The Love Food Hate Waste website has tips and advice on how to reduce food waste including:

• planning your meals
• preparing perfect portion sizes
• understanding food dates
• storing food in the best way

Can be reused:

• Use leftovers to create tasty meals - visit Less Waste to find cooking classes when available to help reduce your food waste.

Can be put in a compost bin:

• Vegetable peelings, fruit scraps and tea bags are all suitable for composting, find out more at Less Waste

You can also use a food waste digester for uncooked kitchen waste such as peelings and teabags as well as cooked waste including meat, fish and dairy.

Can be reused:

• If in working condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
  Please note: if your fridge or freezer or wine/beer cooler is glass fronted or branded, additional questions may be asked by site staff to ensure the items are household waste and not from commercial activities.
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• When you buy a replacement, the store may offer to take your old item away for recycling
• Take into some electrical stores for free recycling ie Currys PC World

Includes tables, chairs, sofas, beds, cabinets, wardrobes, desks etc.

Reduce what you use:

• If possible repair furniture items for continued use - visit the Less Waste website for more information on furniture reuse

Can be reused:

• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site (for soft furniture please ensure a fire retardant label is attached)
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Find out more about furniture reuse 

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site if broken down and separated  into its component parts
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes garden waste, cuttings, trimmings, plants and branches and other garden waste which can be composted

Usually part of your kerbside green bin collection – check with your district council

Can be put in a compost bin:

• Most garden waste is suitable for composting, find out more at Less Waste 

If you don’t have a compost bin, you can order one at a reduced cost.

If you have too much garden waste to home compost, you can take it to your local recycling and household waste site

Includes camping gas, bbq gas etc

Can be reused:

• Some gas bottles are refillable

Can be recycled:

•    At your local recycling and household waste site

Includes glass bottles and jars etc

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council. Please make sure they have been rinsed and dried.

Can be reused:

• Use jars for storage

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Before you dispose:

• Remove any contents 
• Keep lids on where possible
• Do not place Pyrex, vision ware, mirrors drinking glasses, greenhouse or window glass in a glass bank.  

Includes drinking glasses, window glass, Pyrex, Flat glass, shower screens and cubicles

Can be reused:

• Donate drinking glasses to charities

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• take to your local recycling and household waste site
• wrap and put in your general waste bin

Includes greenhouse glass, metal frame

Can be reused:

• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

This item cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Take to your local recycling and household waste site

Before you dispose:

• Ensure any broken glass is wrapped securely in layers of newspaper to prevent injury

Includes concrete, rubble, hard-core etc

Hardcore must not be placed in your general waste or recycling bins.

Can be reused:

• List on reuse websites e.g. Freegle, Freecycle or Gumtree

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Hire a skip for large quantities
• Take to your local recycling and household waste site

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites. 

You can at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or through a licensed waste collection company. Find out where you can take business or commercial waste.

Includes washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryer etc 

Can be reused:

• If in working condition or can be easily repaired, advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• When you buy a replacement, the store may offer to take your old item away for recycling
• Take into some electrical stores for free recycling ie Currys PC World
   

See Printer cartridges

We don't accept Japanese Knot weed in the garden waste at the recycling and household waste sites and it shouldn't be placed in kerbside garden waste collections.

Find out how to deal with this species from the Environment Agency 

Includes fitted kitchen units/worktops/kitchen sink etc

There is a charge to dispose of this type of waste

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site

To prevent injury, ensure items are wrapped securely before disposing.

Place any card and paper, which consists of the test kit box, vial holding card and leaflet, into your kerbside recycling collection.

Place and seal all other items into the long waste bag provided and put into your general waste bin.

Includes lawnmowers, chainsaws etc.

Can be reused:

• If in working condition or can be easily repaired, advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Before you dispose:

• If you are disposing of a petrol lawnmower please ensure petrol is emptied as we don’t accept petrol

Includes lamps, lighting, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes

Energy saving light bulbs and fluorescent tubes can be recycled at your local recycling and household waste site but old style bulbs (including floodlight bulbs) cannot. Wrap these and put in your general waste bin. 

This item cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Take to your local recycling and household waste site and place in the general waste bin

Can be reused:

• If in good clean condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

This item cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• Take to your local recycling and household waste site

Includes healthcare and clinical waste ie dressings, bandages, swabs, needles, syringes, contaminated materials, or medicines that contain biologically active pharmaceutical agents

You can recycle empty contaminant free packaging and containers:

• As part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your local council 
• At some local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Clinical waste cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Consult your GP or Nurse to find out if waste is clinical waste and how it can be disposed
• Contact your district council to arrange collection of clinical waste/sharps
• Take any unwanted medicines to your local pharmacy 

Advice for businesses:

The management of clinical waste is dictated by the Department of Health guidelines. If you dispose of clinical waste then you must use a company that provides specialist clinical waste disposal. 

Includes metal and metal items

Steel and aluminium food and drinks cans, and some aersols can be recyed in your kerbside recycling collections.

Can be reused:

• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site

Includes corrugated metal sheets

Can be reused:

• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes mobile phones, smart phones and chargers

May be part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Please remove all confidential data from your phone before you dispose of it.

Can be reused:

• If in working condition or can be easily repaired advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Sell online using companies like Mazuma Mobile, Music Magpie, Zapper. Please be aware some offer free postage, while others will charge you postage.
• Donate to a local charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Check with your provider to see if they will accept your old phone for recycling when you upgrade or replace it
• Donate to a charity who can raise money by recycling your old phone 
• Search online to find companies who will recycle your old phone

Before you dispose:

• Ensure personal data is removed from the phone

Includes disposable nappies (used and unused), incontinence pads and female hygiene products

Reduce what you use:

• Use real nappies, LCC have a trial kit scheme that gives parents the opportunity to try out real nappies visit lesswaste for more information

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Wrap or place in a nappy bag and put in your general waste bin 

Includes needles, syringes, sharps, etc

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Contact your district council to arrange collection of clinical waste/sharps

• See cooking oil
• See engine oil

Includes house paint, emulsion, gloss, ceiling and wall paint, wood paint, varnishes anti-mould and fungus paints 

Liquid paint must not be placed in your general waste or recycling bins.

Reduce what you use:

• Only purchase the amount you need to avoid excess wastage
• Handle and store paints appropriately to maximise their useful life
• Prevent unnecessary wastage and spillages by making sure lids are replaced securely

Can be reused:

Donate to local organisations such as scout groups, etc.

Disposal of liquid paint:

• Can be deposited with a permit at Whetstone recycling and household waste site
  This is the only site that will accept household liquid paint, white spirit or thinners.

Please note that a small amount of dried out paint can go in the general waste bin at any recycling and household waste site. It’s recommended to use cat litter or paper scraps to help dry it out. You can also use your general bin at home if the container has no liquid paint and is 5 litres in size or smaller. Please do not place paint containers in your recycling bin.

Manufacturers and decorator centres hold periodic amnesty days for paint collection, please check on the individual websites for details.

Includes newspaper, magazines, leaflets, flyers, junk mail, catalogues, books, paperwork, etc

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council. Please make sure any paper is clean and dry.

Please keep tissues and tissue paper out of all recycling.

Reduce what you use:

• Sign up to mail preference services to stop unwanted junk mail
• Don't print unnecessary emails 

Can be reused:

• Donate books to a local reuse organisation or charity
• Donate magazines to local doctors surgeries
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Can be put in a compost bin:

• shredded paper, toilet and kitchen roll tubes and egg boxes are ideal for composting, find out more at Less Waste

Before you dispose:

• we recommend shredding anything with personal details

Includes home and garden pesticides and biocides ie ant, cockroach, wasp and aphid killers, slug pellets

Also see: 

• Chemicals 

Reduce what you use:

• Only purchase the amount you need to avoid excess wastage
• Use non-toxic equivalents
• Handle and store the pesticides appropriately to maximise their useful life
• Prevent unnecessary wastage and spillages by making sure caps and lids are replaced securely

We do not accept any chemicals at our Recycling and Household Waste Sites, they must be taken to Labwaste in Hinckley. You will need a chemical waste permit.

Includes animal excrement waste and un-eaten pet food

Animal waste must be bagged securely and put in your general waste bin.

Contact your local garage to find out how to dispose. 

Includes plasterboard, gypsum based products etc.

Plasterboard must not be placed in your general waste or recycling bins.

Can be reused:

• If full sheets in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• List on reuse websites e.g. Freegle, Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site

Please note, we can only accept plasterboard for recycling if all fixtures and fittings, such as tiles or woodwork, have been separated from the plasterboard first.  We cannot accept demolition waste that contains plasterboard mixed with other materials such as tiles and bricks.

If you are disposing a large quantity you may want to hire a skip.

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites.

You can not dispose of plasterboard at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station. Please go through a licensed waste collection company. Find out where you can take business or commercial waste

Includes toys, garden furniture, storage boxes, plastic corrugated sheets etc.

Can be reused:

• If in good condition donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites i.e. Freecycle or Gumtree

To dispose of hard plastics:

• Take to your local recycling and household waste site. Where sustainable outlets are not available to the Council, the material may be mixed with general waste and sent to landfill or energy recovery.
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• Put in your general waste bin – remember to recycle any card

For more information please see:

LCC Policy on the recycling of hard plastics    PDF,  23 kbOpens new window

Includes milk, mineral water, drinks, shampoo bottles etc

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council. Please rinse and dry, keeping lids on where possible.

Reduce what you use:

• Try to buy products in refillable containers 

Can be reused:

• Use a plastic bottle as a water bottle or for storing items such as screws etc

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Includes ice cream tubs, yoghurt pots etc

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council. Please make sure containers are empty, rinsed and dried.

Can be reused:

• Use to store items such as food for the fridge or freezer etc
• Use as plant pots

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Many supermarkets now take single use soft plastics for recycling, including:

• bread bags
• chocolate and sweet wrappers
• empty crisp packets
• pouches
• salad and vegetable packaging
• and other plastic bags

You can take these items back to stores that are taking part in Recycle Now’s Repeat the Cycle campaign (includes store locator tool). You can also check your store websites for more details.

Some soft plastics, such as:

• bread and vegetable bags

are collected at the kerbside by all Leicestershire districts, except North-West Leicestershire. Please see lesswaste.org.uk for more details.

Includes printer toners, ink cartridges and printer cartridges

May be part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Can be reused:

• Refill cartridges if possible 

Can be recycled:

• Donate to a charity who can raise money by recycling them 
• Some stores and supermarkets collect used and empty printer cartridges
• Search online to find companies who will recycle your empty printer cartridges

Can be reused:

• If in good condition donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Arrange a bulky waste collection from your district council

Includes shingle, tiles, underlay

Can be reused:

• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Take to your local recycling and household waste site 
• Hire a skip if you are disposing a large quantity

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites. 
You can at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or through a licensed waste collection company. Find out where you can take business or commercial waste.

Includes large metal items such as steel tubes, bed frames and metal desks.

These items are not part of your kerbside recycling collection and must not be placed into your general waste bin.

Please see cans for further information about tins and cans which are collected from your kerbside.

Can be reused:

• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites e.g. Freegle, Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact a local scrap merchant

We do not dispose of sewage. 

If you have a cesspit that needs to be emptied please contact a local contractor or your local water authority.

Includes wooden sheds

Can be reused:

• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes trainers, shoes, boots, etc

May be part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Reduce what you use:

• Refashioning or repairing old shoes can be far cheaper than buying a new pair. Find out more at Love Your Clothes or Less Waste for advise, tips and how to guides.

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition sell on Ebay or at your local car boot sale
• Donate unwanted paired shoes to local charities
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Before you dispose:

• Make sure shoes are clean and dry

Reduce what you use:

• If possible repair sofas for continued use - visit GoLearn to help you extend the life of your furniture.

Can be reused:

• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Find out more about furniture reuse 

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect sofas as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes soil, turf, rubble

Soil must not be placed in your general waste or recycling bins.

Can be reused:

• If clean top soil, list on reuse websites e.g. Freegle, Freecycle, or Gumtree

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Take to your local recycling and household waste site
• Hire a skip if you are disposing a large quantity

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites. 
You can at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or through a licensed waste collection company. Find out where you can take business or commercial waste.

Can be recycled:

• Many opticians collect old spectacles - they are donated to charities who send them to developing countries. Vision Aid Overseas can help you find an optician in your area who collects old spectacles.

Includes needles, syringes, sharps

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Contact your GP to check if they can dispose for you.
• Alternatively contact your district council to arrange collection of clinical waste/sharps.

Includes dining, kitchen, coffee etc.
Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay  or Gumtree 
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree 

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site if broken down and separated  into its component parts
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Includes televisions and monitors

Can be reused:

• If in working condition or can be easily repaired, advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• When you buy a replacement, the store may offer to take your old item away for recycling
• Take into some electrical stores for free recycling ie Currys PC World

Place any card and paper, which consists of the test kit box, vial holding card and leaflet, into your kerbside recycling collection.

Place and seal all other items into the long waste bag provided and put into your general waste bin.

Includes clothing and non-clothing textile items

May be part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Reduce what you use:

• Repair clothes or give them a new lease of life

Find out how to get the most out of your clothes and reduce clothing waste by visiting Love Your Clothes and Less Waste. If you would like to learn how to repair clothes you can enrol on to a textile with GoLearn.

Can be reused:

• If in good condition donate unwanted clothes to local charities
• Sell on Ebay, Freecycle, Gumtree, Depop, Schpock or at your local car boot sale
• Reuse textile items by upcycling or re-purposing them

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow to find your nearest 

Includes toys, games, jigsaws

Also see Electrical Items (Small) if you are disposing electronic games and plastics (hard)

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• Take to your local recycling and household waste site
• Put in your general waste bin – remember to recycle any card

Can go in the green waste bin at the Recycling and Houshold Waste Sites if no more than 150mm wide.

Can be reused:

• If in working condition or can be easily repaired, advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• When you buy a replacement, the store may offer to take your old item away for recycling
• Take into some electrical stores for free recycling ie Currys PC World

Please note: Some tumble dryers are fitted with a heat pump that contains harmful gases, which need to be recovered safely before they can be recycled or disposed of. More information on identifying a model with a heat pump can be found in the document below. If taking to your local recycling and household waste site, please leave it with the refrigerators rather than other appliances.

Heat pump tumble dryer guidance    PDF,  94 kbOpens new window

Cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Take to your local recycling and household waste site
• Hire a skip if you are disposing a large quantity

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites. 
You can at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or through a licensed waste collection company. Find out where you can take business or commercial waste.

Car and motorcycle tyres must not be placed in your general waste or recycling bins.

Can be reused:

• Tyres can be reused in many ways, search online to find ideas of how to reuse and recycle old tyres

Can be recycled:

• If you replace the tyres on your car, the garage where you had them fitted should take your old tyres away for recycling
• If you change your tyres yourself, check if the shop you bought them from will take your old tyres away for recycling
• Search online for local businesses who recycle tyres

Bicycle tyres and inner tubes can be taken to a local Velorim Centre to be recycled - please note that a small contribution towards this is usually requested. If you are unable to get to one of these centres, they can be disposed of in your kerbside waste bin.

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site in the small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling bin

Before you dispose:

• Make sure you remove the gas canister and any chemicals first and dispose of according to the manufacturers guidance.

Not recyclable/not part of your kerbside collection (includes VHS tapes and cassettes)

Please remove the paper insert and put the cassette and its case in the general waste bin

Can be reused:

• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree
• Sell online using companies like eBay, Music Magpie, Zapper, Ziffit. Please be aware some offer free postage, while others will charge you postage.

Can be reused:

• If in good condition, it can be placed in the reuse section at your local recycling and household waste site
• If in good condition advertise in your local paper, Ebay  or Gumtree 
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree 

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site if broken down and separated  into its component parts
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Can be reused:

• If in working condition or can be easily repaired, advertise in your local paper, Ebay or Gumtree
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• When you buy a replacement, the store may offer to take your old item away for recycling
• Take into some electrical stores for free recycling ie Currys PC World

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

NB: Some water tanks are made of asbestos (see Asbestos for more details)

We do not accept wheelie bins provided by your district council at recycling and household waste sites.

You must contact your district council for advice on what to do with a wheelie bin they've provided but you no longer need.

Can be deposited at Whetstone recycling and household waste site

This is the only site that will accept household liquid paint, white spirit or thinners.

White spirit and paint thinners must not be placed in your general waste or recycling bins.

Can be reused:

• If in good condition donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service

Before you dispose:

• Ensure any broken window glass is wrapped securely in layers of newspaper to prevent injury

Includes wood, wooden furniture, chipboard and other wooden items 

Also see Furniture and Tree trunks

Can be reused:

• Keep pieces of wood which are a good size to use for DIY projects
• Donate to a local reuse organisation or charity
• List on reuse websites ie Freecycle or Gumtree

These items cannot be recycled, to dispose:

• Contact your district council to see if they collect this as part of their bulky waste collection service
• Take to your local recycling and household waste site

Advice for businesses:

You cannot dispose of business waste at recycling and household waste sites. 
You can at the Whetstone Waste Transfer Station or through a licensed waste collection company. Find out where you can take business or commercial waste
 

Usually part of your kerbside recycling collection – check with your district council

Please remove gift tags, sticky tape, string, bows and ribbons. Shiny metallic and laminated paper, tissue/crepe paper and paper containing glitter will not be accepted. This includes gift bags. Please put in your general waste as these items can’t be recycled.

Can be reused:

• Use old wrapping paper for art and craft projects
• Reuse for other gifts if in good condition

Can be recycled:

• At your local recycling and household waste site
• At local recycling banks or bring banks – use the recycling locator on Recyclenow