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A-Z of Recycling

Most household goods can be recycled and made into new things. Find out what can be recycled and where with our A-Z of recycling.

D-F

D

Drink bottles and cans (plastic, glass and aluminium bottles and cans) 

These can be recycled. Please put them in your recycling bag, box or bin for collection. Please rinse out your bottles before you put them out.

Duvets and pillows 

If they are clean and in good condition, some charity shops will take them. Find out more about bulky waste collection. 

DVDs 

See CDs 

E

Egg boxes 

Cardboard egg boxes can be torn up and added to your compost bin or they can be added to your mixed recycling. 

Please put plastic egg boxes in your mixed recycling.  

Electrical goods 

All waste electrical and electronic equipment must be collected separately from general rubbish to be reused or recycled. 

You can take your small appliances to our on-street small electrical appliances recycling bins.

We cannot accept these items: 

  • TV monitors 

  • computers* 

  • light bulbs 

  • batteries  

  • anything that will not fit in the chute (over 40 cm or 16" in size) 

*Technically, you can recycle computers using these bins, but we are not liable for the theft of personal data from your equipment if placed in the recycling bins, and residents are advised they should remove SIM cards from mobile phones.

A guaranteed safe method of disposal of computers is to use your retailer's take back scheme, arrange a bulky waste collection with us, or take your computer to the household waste recycling centre at Smugglers Way 

Technical information on recycling electricals

Large electrical appliances 

Before considering disposal please consider repair. Companies exist that are happy to repair a range of large electrical items. See an example. We do not endorse a particular company for repairs and accepts no responsibility for any agreements entered into. 

Fridges, freezers, other large domestic appliances, old-style TVs, computers etc that no longer work can be taken to the household waste recycling centre Smugglers Way . 

Alternatively you can arrange a bulky waste collection. All electrical items collected will be recycled. 

Or, if your items are in working order, you could try a local charity, eBayFreegleor freecycle. See also computers

Envelopes 

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

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. Or you could join our Recycling Champions volunteer scheme .  

Estates 

It's easy to recycle on your estate

F

Fabrics 

Old fabric can be dropped off for reuse or recycling in the on-street Scope textile recycling bins. 

See textile recycling

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 hang from a tree and feed the birds in the winter. 

More information on the importance of keeping drains free from blockages.

Filters 

See water filters

Fire extinguishers 

The Household Waste Recycling Centre at Smugglers Way does not accept fire extinguishers. Extinguishers placed in the household waste bin are dangerous. Manufacturers should have information regarding their safe disposal.

As a Westminster resident you can contact Fire Protection Recycling to book a free collection. Please clearly state that you are a Westminster resident. Following verification, they will arrange collection. 

Flats 

Everyone in Westminster has access to a mixed recycling service. If you live in a portered block, ask your porter for details on the recycling service in your block.

Foil 

Aluminium foil and foil trays can be recycled with your mixed recycling. Simply compress it into a ball or push it into an aluminium can. Loose sheets of foil cannot be distinguished easily from paper at our materials recovery facility

Crisp packets and other foil-like films cannot be recycled at home; they need to go in with your household rubbish. However, Walkers and Terracycle have a crisp packet recycling scheme. Take a look at their website and find your nearest recycling point. 

Food waste

We are expanding our food waste recycling service. Please visit our food waste expansion page for more information.

Remember, reducing the amount of food waste you produce can make a big difference. For example you could save your family £60 a month by planning your shopping better, using up leftovers and making the most of your fridge/freezer. 

Research suggests food waste makes up the largest part of a household's rubbish so throwing out less food waste can help the environment and save you money.  

For information on how your household can reduce food waste and save money, visit Love Food Hate Waste

You can recycle some food by composting (Westminster residents can buy discounted composters online) or using wormeries. You can buy wormeries on the internet from Wiggly Wigglers, Green Gardener or Original Organics.

You can also buy an appliance for your kitchen from Smart Cara to significantly reduce the amount of food waste in your kitchen. 

Freezers and fridges 

From the 1st July 2007, the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive requires WEEE to be collected separately from general waste to be reused or recycled. Read more information on WEEE

To recycle your freezer or fridge, see large electrical appliances. 

Furniture 

There are lots of companies that will take old furniture for recycling or you can donate it to charity shops and second-hand shops. 

If your items are in good condition, you could try selling them second hand using local classified adverts or websites such as eBay or FridayAD. Alternatively, you can give them away using local networks such as freecycle or Freegle.  

You can also arrange a bulky waste collection. Please do not put furniture out with your rubbish as you could be fined. 

Westminster residents can also take furniture to the household waste recycling centre at Smugglers Way.   

Find out which companies will take your furniture

Published: 20 May 2021

Last updated: 13 May 2024