Bin guides
Plain answers to the bin questions that come up after the lookup: missed collections, bulky items, smelly bins, tips and the rules councils follow.
Bulky and special How to dispose of batteries and vapes safelyWhy batteries and vapes must never go in your bins, where to take them for free in the UK, and how to make lithium batteries safe before you recycle them. Recycling Recycling symbols on packaging explainedWhat the recycling symbols on UK packaging actually mean, from the On-Pack Recycling Label to the Mobius loop, the Green Dot and plastic resin numbers. Home and household Moving house: who owns the bins and how to set up collectionsMoving home in the UK? Who owns the wheelie bins, whether you can take them with you, how to find your new bin day and how to order bins for a new-build. Bulky and special Going to the tip: household waste recycling centre guideWhat you need to know before going to the tip in the UK: booking slots, van and trailer permits, what they accept, charges for DIY waste and proof of address. Home and household How to clean a wheelie bin properlyA step-by-step guide to cleaning a wheelie bin or food caddy safely, which products to use, where the dirty water should go and how often to do it. Home and household How to stop your bins smelling, especially in summerSimple ways to stop wheelie bins and food caddies smelling and attracting maggots and flies, using things you already have at home. Recycling What can go in your recycling bin? UK guideWhat goes in a UK recycling bin, what does not, and the mistakes that get bins left behind. Covers paper, card, plastics, cans, cartons and glass. Food and garden Food waste caddy guide: what goes in and how to stop smellsEverything about your food waste caddy: what can go in, which liners to use, how to stop smells and flies, and why weekly food collections are now required in England. Food and garden Garden waste collection: subscriptions, costs and rulesHow council garden waste collections work in the UK: yearly subscriptions, what goes in the brown or green bin, winter breaks and what is changing in England. Bulky and special Bulky waste collection: how it works and what it costsHow to get rid of a sofa, mattress, fridge or wardrobe in the UK: booking a council bulky waste collection, typical costs, what they refuse and cheaper options. Bin days Missed bin collection: what to do and when to report itYour bin was not emptied? Check these common reasons first, then report a missed bin to your council the right way and within the usual reporting window. Bin days How to find your bin collection day in the UKFour reliable ways to find your bin day in any part of the UK, why neighbours can have different days, and how to stop forgetting which bin goes out.