What goes in which bin?

What goes in my recycling bin?

When recycling, please remember:

• Wash and squash items - this saves space, keeps your bin clean and stops contamination.
• Don't leave cardboard next to your bin on a wet day - we cannot recycle wet cardboard. Fold and squash large cardboard so it fits in your recycling bin or take it to your nearest household waste recycling centre (tip).
• For more detailed information please visit the Reuse and recycling A-Z webpage.

The following items go into your grey recycling bin with the blue lid.

What goes in my recycling box?

The following items go into the recycling box.

Other recyclable items

Find a full list of A-Z household waste items in our Reuse and recycling A-Z

What goes in my rubbish bin?

If in doubt, keep it out of your recycling bin - if you're unsure whether you can recycle an item, leave it out of your recycling bin and put it in your rubbish bin. The following items go in your rubbish bin.

What goes in my garden waste bin?

Please don't bag your garden waste - put it loose in the bin. The following items go into the garden waste bin.

* Diseased plants/leaves

Advice from the Forestry Commission: If leaves are from a tree free from infection they can continue to be composted and disposed of using existing local authority arrangements. Leaves from infected trees or trees suspected of being infected however should not be removed from the site, so do not put them in green waste bins for composting, for example, as this risks spreading the disease. Forestry Commission advice in this situation is that burning them on site is the best option.

How can I find out when my bin is emptied?

Why have I got a sticker on my recycling bin even though I have always recycled right?

We are placing reminder stickers on all recycling bins in County Durham. These are to remind all residents not to place plastic bags of any type in your recycling bin. All plastic bags should be placed in your normal waste bin.

Why is it important to put the right things in the right bins?

It's really important that you follow these guidelines as it helps to reduce contamination and means we can recycle, reuse or compost more of your waste. If you put wrong items in the wrong bin, this could result in the whole bin lorry load being classed as 'contaminated' and rejected for recycling.

How will I know I have put the wrong item in the wrong bin?

You will find a yellow sticker on your bin and a letter through your door to help you to understand how to 'Bin it right'. You may also receive a home visit to explain recycling in more detail. Find out more in our  Recycling Matters – a guide to what you can put in your recycling bin and box (PDF, 687.2kb) .  If you continue to place non recyclable items in your recycling bin you will receive an orange sticker and will have to remove said items and place your bin out on next collection day. Every household in County Durham has had an educational sticker placed on their recycling bins. Please don't put black bags or carrier bags in your recycling bin. Place items into the bin loose so our crews can see what they are.

Why do I need to separate glass from my recycling bin, when they both 'appear' to be emptied into the same wagon?

Our recycling wagons have separate, split compartments, to the rear. Your recycling bin is emptied into one side and the glass box is emptied into the other. Glass and recycling is sorted differently at the recycling plant and this means more of your waste can be recycled and turned into new products.