Recycling

What we collect

Recycling must be clean, dry and loose in your bin and not in any type of plastic bag.

Recycling bins containing items we do not collect will not be emptied. You will need to remove items, without a green tick below, before your next collection.

In your green recycling bin:

Paper, newspapers and magazines
Junk mail
Envelopes
Telephone directories, brochures and catalogues
Cardboard (Flatten larger cardboard boxes and put next to your bin. Ideally, sellotape should be removed)
Greeting cards (without glitter or ribbon)
Drinks cans
Food tins (please rinse clean)
Plastic bottles, including drink, milk, shampoo, cleaning products (lids can be left on, but wash and squash bottles first)
Aerosol cans, unless they have a hazard symbol ('skull and cross bones' logo or a black cross on an orange background, such as oven cleaner)

In your glass box (green) or bin (red)

Glass bottles and jars (without lids, the lids should be put in your household waste bin)
Perfume and aftershave bottles

There is a separate glass collection service

What we don't collect

Batteries
Vapes and eCigarettes
Plastic packaging (yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, plastic food trays)
Plastic carrier bags and black sacks
Aluminium foil
Polystyrene/Thermocol
Gift wrap
Clothing and shoes
Shredded paper

Some items that can't be collected can still be recycled.

View our A to Z of waste and recycling

You can take your clothes, shoes, aluminium foil and other items to one of our recycling sites. There is also the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Wade Road which accepts an even greater range of recyclable material, including batteries, fluorescent lamps, wood and green garden waste.

Ordering sacks or bins for extra recycling

If you have more recycling than usual we can send you two clear recycling sacks. Put these out next to your recycling bin on collection day.

Request clear recycling sacks

If you have the smaller 140 litre green recycling bin you can exchange this free of charge for the larger 240 litre bin.

Request a larger 240 litre bin

If you regularly fill your recycling bin, you can order an extra bin or box.

Order an extra recycling bin/box

Plastic recycling

What plastic can I recycle?

All types of plastic bottles can be recycled. From shampoo and shower gel to drinks bottles and those containing cleaning products, if it's a plastic bottle - pop it in your recycling bin.

Find out what you can put in your green recycling bin by taking a look at our video

Why can't we recycle mixed plastics?

Find out more about mixed plastic recycling on Hampshire County Council's website.

How can I reduce the amount of plastic I use?

In addition to reducing the use of plastics in our everyday lives, here are some top tips to use less plastic:

Take a look at what plastic you’re throwing away every day and ask yourself if you really need it. For example, to keep leftover food fresh cover it with a plate or a bowl instead of cling film.
Avoid excess food packaging – farm shops, greengrocers, markets and larger supermarkets offer loose fruit and vegetables. Choose unpackaged items where possible to reduce plastic use.
Swap disposable for reusable. Take a reusable cup when you go to buy your daily coffee or tea. Take your own reusable bag when shopping instead of using plastic bags and bring your own knife and fork to work for any takeaway lunches.
Say no to plastic straws – when going out for a drink refuse plastic straws and instead encourage pubs and cafes to use cardboard straws.
Take time to dine in – seek out unpackaged food wherever possible, make your own ‘real food’ whenever you can, or take the time to dine in instead of getting takeaway food in plastic containers.

Recycling symbols

Symbols now appear on packaging advising consumers and promoting environmental claims. With packaging often being produced for a worldwide market, there can be some confusion about what each symbol means.

Find out about recycling symbols on the Recycle for Hampshire website