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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.

V-Z

Vegetable peel 

Vegetable peel can be put into a compost bin.  

Videos tapes 

Old videos tapes in working order can be donated to your local charity shop. Please check with your local charity shop to see if they accept video tapes.

Volunteers (Recycling Champions)   

Our Recycling Champions are volunteers who encourage others in their community to waste less and recycle more. They are crucial to helping us get the recycling message out to Westminster’s diverse communities. 

Washing powder boxes 

Squash them flat and put them in the mixed recycling.  

Water 

There are many ways you can reduce, reuse and recycle water in the home: 

  • 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 water butt to collect any rain for watering house plants - Westminster residents can purchase one at a reduced price and with free delivery 

See also rainwater

Water filters 

Used water filters can be recycled at many local high street shops (see list below). Please contact your local shop first to check if they have a recycling bin for water filters. 

  • Argos 

  • Robert Dyas 

  • Cargo Home Shop 

Get more information about recycling water filters on the Brita website. 

Wood 

See timber

Wool 

Balls of wool can be placed in the on-street Scope textile bins or your local charity shop may take them. 

Wrapping 

Plastic wrapping (for example found around magazines), including wrapping made from potato starch or polythene, should be put in the rubbish. 

Yellow pages 

Please put your yellow pages or any other directory in the mixed recycling. 

Yoghurt pots 

Yoghurt pots can be put in the mixed recycling. Please rinse to remove any food residue from them before putting them in the recycling 

See also plastic

Z

Zinc

Batteries have zinc in them - see batteries for how you can recycle them. 

Published: 10 January 2021

Last updated: 18 May 2023