Recycling
On average, Winchester district residents recycle 35% of their waste each year, which is great. However, we could all be more waste aware and dispose of the right things in the right way. Here are some tips to help you Recycle Right.
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What to put in your green recycling bin...
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Plastic bottles
- Tins & cans
- Aerosols
Remember the golden rule.... all recycling placed in the recycling bin needs to be clean, dry and loose!
A printable version of this information is available to download here (pdf, 161kb).
Paper Yes please
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Junk mail
- Computer paper
- Envelopes, including windowed envelopes
- Catalogues and directories
- Paper bags
- Greetings cards
No thanks
- Shredded paper
- Gift wrap
- Plastic coated (laminated) paper
- Paper towels, tissues and napkins
- Wall paper
Cardboard Yes please
- Cereal packets
- Food boxes
- Greetings cards
- Kitchen and toilet roll holders
- Corrugated card
No thanks
- Any plastic or foam packaging left inside cardboard boxes. Please dispose of this in the black bin.
- Pizza boxes due to food debris
Plastic bottles Yes please
- Food and drink bottles e.g. milk and drink bottles, shampoo bottles and cleaning product bottles. Lids and labels can be left on. Please empty any liquid content and squash the bottle before replacing the lid.
- Detergent bottles e.g. washing up liquid, cleaning fluids, bleach and fabric softener
- Toiletries e.g. shampoo, shower gel and liquid soap
No thanks
- Bottles containing liquid or bottles that are not empty
- Spray and pump dispensers
- Food and drinks cartons (such as Tetra Pak)
- Plastic carrier bags or sacks
- Plastic pots, tubs, trays
Tins and Cans Yes please
- Food tins including pet food tins
- Drinks cans
- Sweet and biscuit tins
No thanks
- Paint tins
- Partially full food/pet food tins or dirty tins
- Other metals or metal packaging
Aerosols Yes please
- Food e.g. cream and oil
- Deodorant
- Hairspray
No thanks
- Lids
- Full or partially full aerosol
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Things that can't be collected in the green recycling bin...
Plastic carrier bags or sacks You don't need to bag your recycling up, just place it in the green bin clean, dry and loose. Soft plastic such as bags can be recycled at some supermarkets. Plastic pots, tubs, trays and cartons The types of plastic used to make these items cannot currently be recycled in Hampshire. Most containers can be reused in the home to store food leftovers etc. Glass You should have a separate box for glass. Glass bottles and jars can also be taken to a local bottle bank - check the Recycle Now website to find your nearest one. Textiles, clothes and shoes These can be recycled at local bring sites – look out for the blue bins! Check the Recycle Now website to find out where. Shredded paper Unfortunately the paper strands are too small to sort at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and shredding shortens the length of the fibres making it less desirable for paper companies.
Shredded paper can be used in composting to absorb water or reused as packaging or animal bedding.Aluminium foil Foil is often soiled with food which can reduce the quality of the materials in the recycling bin, especially paper.
Aluminium foil can be taken to a recycling centre or placed in your black bin. Find your local recycling centre on the Recycle Now website.Food and drinks cartons Food and drinks cartons, such as those made by Tetra Pak, cannot be sorted at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
These can be placed in the black bin or can be recycled at one of the recycling centres in Hampshire, including Cattle Market carpark in Winchester. Find your local recycling centre on the Recycle Now website.Polystyrene Polystyrene can be disposed of in your black bin. Batteries Small household batteries can be recycled by putting them inside a clear plastic bag, such as a sandwich bag, and placing them on top of your bin on collection day.
Please do not put batteries in either your general waste or recycling bin.
Many supermarkets also have battery recycling collection points.
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Excess recycling
We want you to recycle as much as you can. Our collection teams are able to collect extra recycling (which can be placed in a clear sack next to your green bin) or cardboard when flattened, dry & stacked alongside the bin.
If you are regularly running out of space in your green recycling bin and need an additional one, or you need a new one, you can buy one by contacting Biffa directly on 01962 670 706 to arrange for payment and delivery of the new bin.
The current cost of a bin is £38.18 including delivery.
Find your nearest recycling facility at Recycle Now - Recycling locator.
For more information about recycling in Hampshire see Hampshire County Council - Waste Prevention and Recycling.