A to Z of what to do with your rubbish and recycling

We colour code our bins to help you remember what to put in them:

grey: non-recyclable domestic waste
brown: recyclable waste
green: cut flowers, weeds, leaves, grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, twigs (you can sign up for this service here)

Bins in communal flats

silver Eurobin: non-recyclable domestic waste
blue Eurobin: recyclable waste

A

Aerosol:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin

Aluminium cans and foil:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin

Appliances:

Take to a recycling centre or book a bulky waste collection

Asbestos:

The City of London operates a household asbestos collection and disposal service for residents of our borough. Apply online at City of London or call 020 7332 3433 to arrange a collection.

B

Baths:

Book a bulky waste collection

Barbecues:

Book a bulky waste collection

Batteries (household):

Take to a recycling centre or find your nearest recycling point by visiting recyclenow.com

Bones:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

Books:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin (please remove hardback covers and plastic sleeves), or charity shop if in good condition

Bottles (glass or plastics):

Brown bin / blue Eurobin or designated recycling banks

Bottle tops:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin

Broken glass:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

Bubble wrap:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

Building materials (domestic):

Take to a recycling centre (requires booking)

C

Cans:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin

Car batteries or parts:

Take to a recycling centre

Cardboard:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin

Carpet / underlay:

Take to a recycling centre

Carrier bags:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

Catalogues and directories:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin

Cat litter:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

Cat poo:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

CDs / DVDs:

Take to a recycling centre or a charity shop if in good condition

Cassettes and videos:

Take to a recycling centre

Ceramics:

Take to a recycling centre or a charity shop if in good condition

Chair:

Take to a recycling centre or book a bulky waste collection or TCL Reuse Centre

Chemicals:

The City of London operates a household hazardous chemicals collection and disposal service for residents of our borough. Apply online at City of London or call 020 7332 3433 to arrange a collection.

Christmas trees:

Take to a recycling centre or refer to the council’s website during the Christmas period to find local drop-off points

Cling film:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

Clinical waste:

Contact GP surgery or hospital for advice or call 033301224220 to arrange for clinical waste or needle box.

Clothing:

Take to a recycling centre, Bring Bank or charity shop

Coat hangers (metal or plastic):

Brown bin

Coffee cup (takeaway):

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

Coffee grounds:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin or compost at home

Commode:

Book a bulky waste collection

Compost bin:

Book a bulky waste collection

Compostable coffee cup:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin or compost at home

Computers:

Take to a recycling centre or book a bulky waste collection

Concrete (from domestic DIY):

Take to a recycling centre (requires authorisation letter)

Cot:

Take to a recycling centre or book a bulky waste collection

Cooking oil:

Take to a recycling centre

Creosote:

The City of London operates a household hazardous chemicals collection and disposal service for residents of our borough. Apply online at City of London or call 020 7332 3433 to arrange a collection.

Crisp packets and sweet wrappers:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

Crockery:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin or charity shop if in good condition

D

Dead animals:

Report a dead animal

Desk:

Book a bulky waste collection

Dishwasher:

Book a bulky waste collection

Disposable nappies:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

DIY waste (domestic only):

Take to a recycling centre (requires booking)

Dog poo:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

Doors:

Take to a recycling centre (requires booking) or book a bulky waste collection

Drink cartons:

Take to designated recycling bring bank (Whiting Avenue, Barking), or take to a recycling centre

Dustbin:

Book a bulky waste collection or take to a recycling centre

DVDs / CDs:

Take to a recycling centre

E

Egg trays:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin

Egg shells:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin or compost at home

Electric cables:

Take to a recycling centre

Electrical items (small):

Take to a recycling centre or find your nearest recycling point by visiting recyclenow.com

Electrical items (large):

Take to a recycling centre or find your nearest recycling point by visiting recyclenow.com

Engine oil:

Take to a recycling centre

Envelopes:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin

Exercise machine:

Book a bulky waste collection or take to a recycling centre

F

Fish tank:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin or take to a recycling centre or book a bulky waste collection

Flooring:

Take to a recycling centre (requires booking)

Flowers:

Green garden waste service or compost at home

Foil:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin

Food waste:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin or compost at home

Food and drink cartons:

Brown bin / blue Eurobin

Fridges / freezers:

Take to a recycling centre or book a bulky waste collection

Fruit net packaging:

Grey bin / silver Eurobin

Frying pans:

Take to a recycling centre

Furniture:

Take to a recycling centre or book a bulky waste collection or TCL Reuse Centre

G

Garden chemicals:

The City of London operates a household hazardous chemicals collection and disposal service for residents of our borough. Apply online at City of London or call 020 7332 3433 to arrange a collection.