Waste A to Z
Find out what goes in which bin
To find information online, please use our accessible search function below.
If the item you are looking for is not listed, please contact us at waste@eastcambs.gov.uk. We will advise you of the best method of disposal and add it to the online search.
Aerosol cans
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Aluminium tube like tomato puree
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Blister packs or pill packets
Terracycle
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Black sacks go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more about this process on RECAP's website (external link)
You can check your waste collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Books
Donate or re-use
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Bottle tops and plastic lids
After rinsing and (where applicable) squashing your bottles and jars, please replace the lids on them before putting in the blue lidded bin. This helps the small lids to find their way through the various conveyors in the sorting process, and they can be separated from the containers later on.
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Cardboard
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Composting is a natural process that turns your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient-rich food for your garden. For more information about home composting, please visit Recycle Now’s website (external link)
Small amount of cardboard can be added to green bin to stop food and garden waste sticking to the bottom and side of the bin. Please make sure there are no tape or stickers left on cardboard.
Your food and garden waste from green lidded bin is turned into compost. You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use biodegradable plastic or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection.
More information on how the compost is made, can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Cardboard egg boxes
Re-use
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Composting is a natural process that turns your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient-rich food for your garden. For more information about home composting, please visit Recycle Now’s website (external link)
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Cartons including Tetra Pak
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Catalogues and directories
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Cereal boxes
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Christmas crackers
Reduce waste
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Black sacks go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more about this process on RECAP's website (external link)
You can check your waste collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Cigarette packet
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Cleaning spray bottles
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Compostable plastic bags, cups, cutlery or packaging
Reduce waste
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
You can check your waste collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Drink cans
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Effervescent tablet tubes
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Envelopes
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Flexible plastic tube
These can be recycled for via the Terracycle personal care and beauty recycling programme.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Foil
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Glass bottles, including medicine bottles
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Glass jars and lids
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Greeting cards
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Ice cream tubs
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Junk mail
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Lids
After rinsing and (where applicable) squashing your bottles and jars, please replace the lids on them before putting in the blue lidded bin. This helps the small lids to find their way through the various conveyors in the sorting process, and they can be separated from the containers later on.
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Liquid soap dispenser bottle
Reduce waste
You can avoid the need to dispose of liquid soap bottles by using solid bars of soap.
Although plastic bottles are recyclable, the dispenser pump must be removed, as this contains a small metal spring and is not currently recyclable via the blue bin.
The pumps are accepted in the Terracycle Personal Care and Beauty Recycling Programme but should otherwise be placed in the black bin.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Magazine wrapper
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Black sacks go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more about this process on RECAP's website (external link)
You can check your waste collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Magazines
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Make-up packaging
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Black sacks go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more about this process on RECAP's website (external link)
You can check your waste collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Margarine tub
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Metal food tins
Re-use or donate
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Newspapers
Newspaper can be used for wrapping food waste to go in your green lidded bin, and for lining a kitchen caddy, if you have one.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Paper
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Perfume bottles
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Pizza box
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Your food and garden waste from green lidded bin is turned into compost. You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use biodegradable plastic or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection.
More information on how the compost is made, can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Composting is a natural process that turns your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient-rich food for your garden. For more information about home composting, please visit Recycle Now’s website (external link)
Black sacks go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more about this process on RECAP's website (external link)
You can check your waste collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Plastic bottles and tops
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Plastic dishwasher tablet tub
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Plastic egg boxes
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Plastic food trays and fruit punnets
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Plastic instant noodle pots
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Plastic milk bottles
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Plastic plant pots
Re-use
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Black sacks go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more about this process on RECAP's website (external link)
You can check your waste collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Plastic sweetener or Tic Tac box
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Postcards
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Shredded paper
Small amounts of shredded paper can be added to your home compost bin. Small amounts layered with food waste and garden waste can be also added to your green lidded bin.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Small amounts of shredded paper layered with food waste and garden waste can be also added to your green lidded bin.
Your food and garden waste from green lidded bin is turned into compost. You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection.
More information on how the compost is made, can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Tea and coffee packets
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Black sacks go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more about this process on RECAP's website (external link)
You can check your waste collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Tealight cases
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Black sacks go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more about this process on RECAP's website (external link)
You can check your waste collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Telephone directory
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Tissues
- keep your personal waste (including tissues and cloths or wipes used to clean exposed surfaces) in a separate bin bag,
- when the bag is full, tie the top, place the whole bag into another bin bag and tie the top of that,
- store the bag for at least 72 hours before putting for collection.
Toothpaste pump
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
Trigger spray
Leave triggers on your empty spray bottles and put them in your blue lidded bin, these can be recycled along with bottle caps.
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Please check Cambridgeshire County Council’s website (external link) before you visit Witchford Household Recycling Centre.
Wrapping paper
Re-use
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
Materials from your blue lidded bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it.
More information on how your recycling is processed can be found on RECAP’s website (external link)
You can check your bin collection dates on our bin collection day page (external link)