Recycling services

Recycling A-Z

It's not only rubbish that can be recycled. Most household goods can be recycled and made into new things.

Thought of something we haven’t? Contact us and we’ll find the answer.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Aerosols:
Aerosols can be recycled. Make sure they’re empty and put them in your recycling bag, basket or bin for collection.
Find out when your collection is

Aluminium foil and lids:
Foil cannot be recycled but you can reuse it. Fold it up and keep it until you need it again. If it can’t be reused, put it out with the rest of your non-recyclable rubbish.
Find out when your rubbish collection is

B

Batteries:
WCC residents can now recycle their household batteries (lead and dry cell) in local libraries and one stop shops. Your local library and One Stop shop have special battery tubes which we will then collect for recycling.

battery Instead of buying normal batteries, why not buy rechargable batteries - they last longer and are better for the environment.

Car batteries can be recycled at the Smuggler’s Way Recycling Centre in Wandsworth, SW18 1JS. Where is Smuggler’s Way?
See also mobile phone

Bin liners:
You can now buy biodegradable or recycled bin liners in most supermarkets.
Find out about other recycled household items

Blue recycling bags:
The council delivers blue bags twice a year. If you run out call us on 020 7641 2000 and we will deliver some more. You can also pick blue bags up at One Stops and libraries.

Body Shop:
All items bought at The Body Shop can be returned for recycling.

Books:
Books in good condition can be donated to the many charity shops around Westminster. You could also try using a site like www.readitswapit.co.uk where you can swap your old books for someone else’s. Books can also be recycled at your local Scope bin. The easiest way to recycle books is to take them out of your local library

Bottles and jars:
Bottles and jars can be recycled. Just put them in your recycling bag, basket or bin for collection.
Find out what else can be recycled

Bubblewrap:
We can't recycle bubblewrap at the moment but it can be easily reused to wrap up valuables which are going in storage or being posted. If you cannot reuse it, put it in with your normal rubbish.
Find out when your rubbish collection is

C

Cans:
Cans and tins can be recycled. Just put them in your recycling bag, basket or bin for collection. (Please rinse out the can first.)
Find out what happens to your recycling box

Cardboard:
Make sure that any staples are taken out of boxes or packaging and squash the cardboard flat. It can then be recycled in your bag, basket or bin.
What else can I recycle?

Carpets:
We cannot take carpets for recycling. Please do not leave carpets out with your normal rubbish for collection as you could be fined. Call the environment action line to arrange a special collection on 020 7641 2000.

Cartons:
You can now recycle your paper based liquid food and drink cartons at the following thirteen convenient sites throughout Westminster:

Belgrave Road junction with Gillingham Street, SW1V 1PX
Erasmus Street junction with Cureton Street, SW1P 4HX
Horseferry Road outside St Johns Gardens, SW1P 2EF
Horseferry Road junction with Regency Street, SW1P 2EB
Bessborough Gardens junction with Grosvenor Road, SW1V 2HS
Tachbrook Street opposite Pimlico Underground, SW1V 3DY
Claverton Street junction with Chichester Street, SW1V 3AY
Ebury Street junction with Cundy Street, SW1W 9JY
Westbourne Park Road junction with Shrewsbury Road, W2 5UQ
Harrow Road junction with 4th Avenue (outside Queens Park library), W10 4NE
Elgin Avenue junction with Maida Vale, W9 1NJ
Aberdeen Place junction with Cunningham Place, NW8 8JR
Wellington Place junction with Wellington Road, NW8 7PF

Remember to remove the cap, rinse and squash your cartons. For more information contact recycling.

CDs:
Old CDs can be donated to charity shops or recycled using the SCOPE bins which are dotted around the city.
Find your nearest micro-recycling centre

Cereal boxes:
Flatten down the cardboard and add them to your recycling bag, basket or bin for collection.
What else can I recycle?

China plates and ornaments:
If these are unbroken, you can donate these to a charity shop. Please do not put these in your recycling.
Find out more about what you can and cannot recycle

Children’s toys:
These can’t be recycled. Why not donate them to a local charity shop. Alternatively, use eBay or freecycle

Christmas cards and paper:
Old cards and paper can be re-used for making present tags or paperchains. Otherwise, you can recycle them by putting them in your recycling bag, basket or bin for collection. Remember: metallic paper cannot be recycled - try not to buy it!

christmas tree

Christmas trees:
After Christmas, you can recycle your tree by taking it to one of our collection sites.

Clingfilm:
Sorry, we can't collect clingfilm for recycling. Reduce the amount of clingfilm you use by storing sandwiches and food in sealable plastic containers.

Coins:
Most charities have a scheme where you can donate with unwanted foreign currency.

Composting:
Composting in Westminster is easy.
Find out more about composting here

Computers:
From the 1st July 2007, the WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) Directive requires Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment to be collected seperately from general waste to be reused or recycled. For more information on WEEE click here or contact recycling.

Westminster residents wishing to recycle their waste electrical goods can take them to the Civic Aminity (CA) sites located at Smugglers Way. For more information please click on the link below:

http:/www.wrwa.gov.uk/items.asp?sid=9&iid=100

Or if your items are in working use, you could try ebay or freecycle.org.

Corks:
Natural corks can be used to make a notice board or, if sliced finely, can be used in a compost bin. Plastic corks cannot be recycled.

D

Disposable nappies:
Eight million disposable nappies are thrown away every day. They take a couple of hundred years to decompose.
Find out more about cloth nappies

Doorstep recycling:
Most households in Westminster have a doorstep recycling service.
Find out when your collection is

Drinks bottles and cans:
These can be recycled - just put them in your recycling bag, basket or bin for collection. Please rinse out your bottles before you put them out.
Find out what else can be recycled

Duvets and pillows:
If these are clean and in good condition, charity shops will take them. Alternatively, take them to one of our textile banks. Don't put them out with your rubbish as you could be fined. Contact the environment action line on 020 7641 2000 to arrange a special collection.

E

Eggboxes:
Cardboard eggboxes can be torn up and added to your compost bin or they can be recycled in your basket, bin or bag.
Plastic eggboxes cannot be recycled at the moment.
Find out what can and can't be recycled

Electrical goods:
From the 1st July 2007, the WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) Directive requires Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment to be collected seperately from general waste to be reused or recycled. For more information on WEEE click here or to contact recycling.

Westminster residents wishing to recycle their waste electrical goods can take them to the Civic Aminity (CA) sites located at Smugglers Way. For more information please click on the link below:

http:/www.wrwa.gov.uk/items.asp?sid=9&iid=100

For residents who are unable to get to this site, you can still recycle your larger WEEE items by arranging a bulky waste collection. Your first three items are free of charge, with any additional items being charged at £15 per item.

The following electrical items can be collected with this service;

Fridges
Washing Machines
Dishwashers
Cookers
Large TV's
Computer Monitors

To arrange a special collection, please call the Environment Action Line on 020 7641 2000

Or if your items are in working use, you could try a local charity, ebay or freecycle.org. See also computers.

Electricity:
Switch off electrical appliances not in use. Televisions, computers and stereos still use 50% of the electricity on standby as they do when they're on.

Envelopes:
If you can’t reuse old envelopes, recycle them. You don't need to remove the plastic window - just put it in your recycling basket, bag or bin.

Environment action line:
If you have any questions about recycling, call us on 020 7641 2000

Environmental groups:
If you'd like to find out how you can do more for the environment get in touch with your local Friends of the Earth

Estates:
If you live on an estate, you can recycle. Pick up your recycling bag from your estate office.
Find out where your estate recycling bin is

F

Fabrics:
Old fabric can be recycled in the SCOPE bins around the city.
Find your nearest micro-recycling centre

Fat:
Cooking fat should not be poured down the drain as it causes blockages. Seal it in a container and put it out with your normal rubbish. Alternatively, mix it with bird seed and leave it to solidify. You can then put it out on your windowsill or from a tree and feed the birds in the winter.

Faxes:
To reduce unwanted marketing faxes, register with the Fax Preference Service on 0845 0700 702 or register online at mpsonline. Recycle any you do get.

Flats:
If you live in a flat or mansion block you can still recycle - call us on 020 7641 2000 to get started.
Find out what kind of recycling service your building has

Foil:
Foil cannot be recycled but you can reuse it. Fold it up and keep it until you need it again. If it can’t be reused, put it out with the rest of your non-recyclable rubbish.
Find out when your rubbish collection is

Food:

Did you know? If we stopped wasting food which could have been eaten, it would have the same impact on reducing carbon emissions as taking 1 in 5 cars off UK roads.

Research suggests food waste makes up the largest part of a household’s rubbish so throwing out less food waste can slim everyone’s bins.

Why not take up a local allotment or grow vegetables at home? You can then pick food as and when you need it. You don’t even need a garden – a window box will do. Lot’s of small simple actions can make a big difference.

For loads of information on how your household can reduce food waste and save money, visit WRAP’s Love Food Hate Waste website.

Save money and environment!

You can recycle some food as compost or in wormeries. You can buy wormeries on the internet from Wiggly Wigglers, Green Gardener or Original Organics
Find out more about composting

Freezers and fridges:
Contact the council to get rid of your fridge or freezer. To arrange a collection call 020 7641 2000.

Furniture:
There are lots of companies who will take old furniture for recycling or you can donate it to charity shops and second-hand shops. Don't put them out with your rubbish as you could be fined. Contact the environment action line on 020 7641 2000 to arrange a special collection.
Companies who will take your furniture
See also, office furniture

G

Garden chemicals:
Garden chemicals are classified as hazardous household waste and must be disposed of carefully. Contact 020 7332 3433 for the hazardous household waste collection and disposal service

Garden waste:
We offer a free garden waste recycling scheme for residents who live in St John's Wood and Maida Vale. This service continues throughout the year on an alternate weekly basis. Further details will be posted on the website
Find out if your street is covered here.
Find out more about composting here.

Giftwrap:
Wrapping paper can be recycled as normal in your basket, bag or bin. Avoid metallic paper as it cannot be recycled.

Glasses:
Old glasses in good condition can be donated for developing countries around the world. Ask your local optician if they collect them or send them in a sturdy box to Vision Aid Overseas, 12 The Bell Centre, Manor Royal, Crawley, W. Sussex, RH10 2FZ

Glass bottles and jars:
Bottles and jars can be recycled. Just put them in your recycling bag, basket or bin for collection.
Find out what else can be recycled

Grass cuttings:
Grass can either go into your compost bin or can be collected through the garden waste service.
Find out if your street has a garden waste service
Find out more about composting

Green issues:
To find out what the council is doing to encourage green living see our green pages.

H

Household rubbish:
Over 50% your household rubbish can be recycled.
What can be recycled?

I

Inkjet cartridges:
Many charities and organisations will take your used printer cartridges and recondition and refill them. They are then resold. Send us an email with your name and address and we will send you a Freepost envelope that you can send your cartridges for recycling in.
Find our more details about inkjet cartridge recycling

J

Jars:
Glass jars can be recycled. Just put them in your recycling bag, basket or bin for collection.
Find out what else can be recycled

Jam jars:
See jars

Juice cartons:
See cartons

Juice bottles:
See plastic bottles

Junk faxes:
See faxes

Junk mail:
To reduce your junk mail, register with the Mailing Preference Service
To stop unaddressed mail being delivered to your address, write to:
Door to Door customer service team,
Royal Mail,
Wheatstone House,
Wheatstone Road,
Swindon, SN3 5JN

or call us for a free "no junk mail" sticker.

K

Kitchen towels:
You can now buy recycled kitchen towel from supermarkets. Better still, use cotton dish cloths, which can be re-used.

L

Laser toner cartridges:
Redeem will take your used printer cartridges and recondition and refill them. They are then resold.

Labels:
You don’t have to remove the labels from cans and bottles. Just remember to rinse them out before you recycle them.

Letters:
See envelopes

Leaves:
Leaves can be put into your compost bin or collected in your garden waste service.
Find out if your street has a garden waste service
Find out more about composting
See garden waste

Light bulbs:
Lightbulbs themselves cannot be recycled because of the type of glass they are made from. Replace your light bulbs with energy saving ones - while they are more expensive, they last eight times longer, use a quarter of the energy and give the same brightness.

Loo rolls:
Look out for toilet paper made from recycled paper – most supermarkets now stock it. When the roll is finished, you can put the cardboard roll in your normal recycling collection.
Find out what kind of recycling service your building has

M

Magazines:
Magazines can be recycled. Put them in your recycling basket, bag or bin for collection.
Find out when your collection is

Mattresses:
Mattresses can be recycled through furniture recycling organisations. Don't put them out with your rubbish as you could be fined. Contact the environment action line on 020 7641 2000 to arrange a special collection.

Medicine:
Unfinished bottles of medicines or tablets should be returned to your local chemist.

Metal:
Metal tins and cans can be recycled. Just put it out in your bag or basket or put it in your local recycling bin.
Scrap metal can be taken to the recycling centres at Smuggler's Way and Cringle Dock.
Find your nearest micro-recycling centre

Milk bottles:
Glass milk bottles cannot be recycled – they are made from a different kind of glass to other bottles and jars. Please return them to your milkman or to the shop you bought them from.
See milk containers
What can be recycled?

Milk containers (plastic):
Rinse these out and add to your recycling.
Find out what kind of service you have

Mirrors:
If they are intact and reusable try your local second furniture store. Alternatively, use eBay or freecycle.
Large mirrors can be collected as part of the special collection service. Call 020 7641 2000 to organise a collection. Don't put them out with your rubbish as you could be fined. Contact the environment action line on 020 7641 2000 to arrange a special collection.

Missed recycling collection:
Did we miss your recycling? There may be a reason for this. Was the basket put out on time? Did it have the correct materials in it? Were the containers washed out?
If the answer is yes to all of these questions, call 020 7641 2000.
You could also take your paper, glass and cans to your old mobile phone local micro-recycling centre.

Mobile phones:
Action aid, Oxfam, Redeem and Scope will all accept your old mobiles and chargers. Contact any of them to find out how to donate.

N

Nappies:
Although nappies can't be recycled, you can use cloth nappies to help protect the environment. Find out more about cloth nappies

Newspapers:
These can be recycled. Put them in your basket, bag or bin for collection.
What happens to my recycling?

No service:
If you live in a flat/mansion block and are not provided with a doorstep collection you can still recycle.
Find out where your local micro-recycling centre is.
Or contact the recycling team to see if a recycling service could start in your building.

O

Office furniture:
Contact Loop Environmental Network, London Recycling, New Leaf Recycling or Office Green for organise a collection of your old office furniture.
You can also recycle furniture by contacting specialised companies

Oil:
Engine oil can be taken to the recycling centres at Smuggler's Way and Cringle Dock. Cooking oil should be put into a container and placed in your normal rubbish, not poured down the sink.

P

Packaging:
Most packaging cannot be recycled and has sent to landfill. When you next go out shopping, make an active choice not to buy goods which have a lot of packaging (eg when buying fruit and vegetables, don't put them in a plastic bag, put them loose in your basket)

Paint:
Unfortunately, we can't recycle paint. You can get rid of it by sealing it tightly and putting it out with your normal rubbish for collection.

Paper:
All forms of paper can be recycled. Junk mail, letters, envelopes, birthday cards, office paper – all can be added to your normal recycling.

Pet food:
If your pet’s food comes in a can, it can be recycled. Rinse it out and add it to your recycling.
What else can be recycled?

Plastic:
We currently only collect plastic bottles for recycling.
What else can be recycled?

Plastic bags:
Over ten billion plastic bags are used each year - about 167 per person. They are not biodegradeable and sit in landfill or litter the streets.
When you next go shopping, why not take some plastic bags with you. Better still, purchase a "Bag for Life" or take a canvas bag to carry your shopping in - not only are they stronger but they can be reused many times.

Polystyrene packaging:
This cannot be recycled. When buying new things, make a conscious effort to buy things with as little packaging as possible.
See packaging

Postage stamps:
If you cut out used postage stamps from envelopes (with a border of about 1cm) you can give them to Oxfam for resale. Otherwise, they can be recycled along with your envelopes.

Printer cartridges:
Redeem will take your used printer cartridges and recondition and refill them. They are then resold.

Pyrex glass:
This can not be recycled as it can explode when heated up in the glass recycling furnace. If you have broken pyrex glass, wrap it carefully and put it out with your normal rubbish collection.

Q

Questions:
Do you have any questions? Call us on 020 7641 2000 or email us

R

Rainwater:
If you have a garden, why not collect rainwater in a water butt for use on your plants?

Real nappies:
Although nappies can't be recycled, you can use cloth nappies to help protect the environment.
Find out more about cloth nappies

Recycling team:
To contact the recycling team call 020 7641 2000 or email us

Rubble:
Soil and rubble can be taken to Smuggler's Way and Cringle Dock. Don't put it out with your rubbish as you could be fined. Contact the environment action line on 020 7641 2000 to arrange a special collection.

S

Schools:
Schools can recycle too. If you would like your school to get involved, email us or call the environment action line on 020 7641 2000
Find out more about recycling at school

Shopping bags:
See plastic bags

Smart Shopping:

Around a third of all the food we buy ends up being thrown away and most of this could have been eaten. It’s not just peelings, cores and bones, but rather excess food from cooked meals, and food that ends up passing its use by date.

Did you know? If we stopped wasting food which could have been eaten, It would have the same impact on reducing carbon emissions as taking 1 in 5 cars off UK roads.

Here are a few tips to being a smart shopper:

Shop more carefully. Use a shopping list – only buy the things you really need (you’ll save money too)
Avoid over packaging – Do you need to buy items individually wrapped? Is the wrapping made from recycled materials?
Buy local produce where possible.
Avoid 2 for 1 offers – think, will you get through the additional product before it’s use by date?
Look out for recycled products – toilet rolls, tissues, bin bags and paper products.
Buy refill items where possible – washing powders, fabric conditioners and refillable cartridges.
Take your own reusable shopping bags to the supermarket – the UK gets through 8 billion plastic bags every year.
Get a compost bin wormery to compost food compost food scraps.

Sunglasses/spectacles:
See glasses

T

Takeaway food containers:
These cannot be recycled but they can be reused. If you cannot use them again, put them in t phone he bin with your other non-recyclable rubbish.

Telephones:
See Electrical Goods

Tetrapack:
See Cartons

Textile Recycling:
Your unwanted clothing and fabrics can be recycled and re-used by donating at one of our on street SCOPE textile recycling bins. Please ensure all material is clean, good quality and stored in plastic bags. Find your local micro-recycling site.

The Body Shop:
See Body Shop

Timber and wood:
Wood can be taken to Smuggler's Way for recycling. Alternatively you could hire a skip. Don't put it out with your rubbish as you could be fined. Contact the environment action line on 020 7641 2000 to arrange a special collection.

Toilet paper:
See loo rolls

Keep a bottle of water in the fridge instead of running the tap until the water runs cold
Don't leave the tap running as you brush your teeth, wash your hands or shave
Shower instead of bath
Put a "hippo" or brick in your loo cistern to reduce the amount of water used with each flush
Use a waterbutt to collect any rain for watering houseplants
See also rainwater

Wool:
Balls of wool can be placed in the textile bins at micro-recycling centres or your local charity shop may take them.