Introduction

It's important to recycle, but even more important to make sure you're recycling correctly.

If you put the wrong items in the wrong recycling bin it can cause contamination.

A contaminated bin can contaminate a whole lorry load of recycling. We then have to treat that load as waste instead of being able to recycle it.

Even if a label says that something can be recycled, you should still check to make sure – recycling labels on packaging are often incorrect and we may not be able to recycle that item locally. 

Find out what you can and can't put in your household recycling. 

How to use the recycling A to Z

On the left, select the page that includes the letter your item starts with. 

At the top of each page there is a list of the items covered. Choose your item from the list and you'll be taken to it, or told where to look if we’ve put it under a different heading.

If you can’t find what you are looking for, try Recycle Now’s recycling locator or, for local information, Brighton Green Centre’s directory.

Materials starting with A and B

In this section you will find:

Aerosol cans

Recycle

Place in your household recycling. Aerosols can also be taken to one of our many recycling points throughout the city and our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Please make sure the cans are completely empty. Do not pierce or try to flatten.

Aluminium foil and containers

Reduce

You can use silicone or beeswax reusable wraps as an alternative when wrapping food or reuseable box when making packed lunches.

Reuse

Try as much as possible to clean, flatten and put it back in the drawer for next time. Containers can be used for seed trays.

Recycle

The Council does not collect aluminium foil wrap. You can take foil trays to our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

You can drop off clean aluminium foil at the FREE SHOP in the Open Market on London Road every day for recycling. A bin is left outside on days the shop isn’t open. Harriet’s of Hove on George Street also collect foil and are open 7 days a week.

You cannot recycle metallic plastic like crisp packets in your household or communal recycling bins. You can take them to supermarkets for recycling with soft or flexible plastics. 

Dispose

You can dispose of foil and foil containers in your household waste bin. 

Asbestos

Dispose

Asbestos cannot be recycled.

Hove Household Waste Recycling Site can take bonded asbestos.

We can accept up to 4 sheets or 6 small builder’s bags of plasterboard asbestos per household per month. Asbestos must be wrapped in at least 2 layers of plastic and sealed.

If you are planning on visiting the Hove Household Waste Recycling Site with asbestos make sure you bring two forms of identification to prove you live in the city including one form of photo ID.

Bonded asbestos is often grey in colour and looks similar to cement - if you are in any doubt please have the material checked. 

When handling bonded asbestos you should wear goggles, a face mask and gloves. 

Do not break the asbestos into smaller pieces. Do not cut or saw it. 

If you have any smaller pieces please make sure you dampen them down with water.

For more information go to the Health and Safety Executive asbestos page.

Ash

Reuse

You can reuse for garden paths or make a narrow path across your lawn for the winter.

Recycle

Wood ash can be sprinkled lightly into your compost heap or around your garden.

Dispose

Coal ash should be disposed of in your household rubbish.

Baby wipes

Dispose

Baby wipes cannot be recycled. You should place them in your household rubbish.

Bathroom fittings and furniture

Dispose

A limited amount - six small builder’s bags for each household each month - from home improvements or DIY can be disposed of at our Household Waste Recycling Sites. Please ask a member of staff at the site for advice.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only. 

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites. 

If they suspect the waste is business waste, the person will be turned away. Find out more about business waste.

Batteries: cars

Do not put car batteries in your household rubbish or recycling - they contain hazardous materials and can cause fires. 

Recycle

Car batteries can be recycled at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Batteries: household

Do not put batteries or electrical items with hidden batteries in your household rubbish or recycling - they contain hazardous materials and can cause fires.

Reduce

Consider rechargeable batteries - they're environmentally friendly and better value over time.

Recycle

Household batteries can be recycled at our Household Waste Recycling Sites and many shops or supermarkets. 

Find your closest battery recycling point.

Hidden batteries

Many household electrical items, including vapes, hearing aids and laptops, contain a hidden lithium battery that can be extremely dangerous when thrown away. Before recycling electrical items, always check to see if the battery can be removed to recycle separately.

Find out how to recycle electrical items.

BBQs: disposable

Reduce

Consider using a portable BBQ instead.

Dispose

Disposable BBQs cannot be recycled.

Dispose in your household rubbish. You need to make sure your BBQ is fully extinguished first.

BBQs: metal

Reuse

You could reuse as a planter in the garden or on the balcony.

Sell or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms.

Recycle

Old, unwanted or damaged metal BBQs can be recycled at one of the city’s Household Waste Recycling Sites. 

Beds

Reuse

If they are still in a decent condition, beds can be sold, donated or passed on for reuse by someone else.

Advertise locally for sale or donate using Freegle and other online platforms.  

Dispose

Beds can be taken to either of our Household Waste Recycling Sites and put in the landfill bin.

Bikes

Reuse

Repair

A broken bike can normally be repaired. 

Emmaus rebuilds and refurbishes bicycles in its workshop. Drove Road, Portslade, BN41 2PA, or call on 01273 426480.

Cranks is a not-for-profit organisation that teaches you how to fix your bike for free. It accepts old bikes and parts for donations.

Donate

You can donate using Freegle and other online platforms.

The Re-Cycle project gathers second-hand bicycles and ships them to various African countries. It teaches local people to repair and maintain bikes as a trade.

Mike the bike is now also selling bicycles at Shabitat. All bikes are recycled and serviced. Saunders Road Depot, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4AY, or call on 01273 677577.

Recycle

Broken or damaged bicycles can be recycled at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Biscuit tins and sweet tubs

Reuse

Refill tins and tubs as food containers or to keep things organised in the bedroom, living room or bathroom.

You can also sell or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms.

Recycle

Metal ones can be taken to either of the Household Waste Recycling Sites. Plastic ones cannot be recycled in your household recycling.

Dispose

Plastic tubs should be placed in your household rubbish.

Sweet wrappers cannot be recycled and should be placed in your household rubbish.

Blankets and bedding

Reuse

The fabric for making clothes and accessories, or as rags and dust sheets. If clean and unstained, you can sell or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms. You can also donate clean and unstained blankets to homeless shelters.

Recycle

Pure wool, cotton, linen and other natural fibres can be composted but not if mixed with any unnatural fibres such as polyester.

You can also recycle at the Household Waste Recycling Sites or placed in the appropriate textiles bin at one of our recycling points.

Blister packs for tablets

Dispose

Blister packs cannot be recycled in your household recycling. You need to put them in your household rubbish.

Books

Reduce

Join one of our libraries and borrow books, both hard copy or download onto a mobile phone or tablet. 

Reuse

Sell or donate to a local charity shop, or online using Freegle and other online platforms.

Recycle

You can take books to our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Bottles and jars

You can find out what to do with bottles and jars in section G to J, by looking under 'glass bottles and jars'.

Bras

Bravissimo has a bra recycling scheme, where you can easily donate unwanted or old bras at their Brighton shop. For every kg of bras they receive, they donate to Coppafeel, a breast cancer awareness charity, to support their work.

Bric-a-brac

Reuse

Sell or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms.

You can also take to the Hove recycling site and donate to the YMCA shop where it will be sold on to raise money for charity.

Recycle

Bric-a-brac cannot be recycled in your household recycling, but you can take it to one of our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Bricks and building materials

Reuse

Sell or donate for uses in the garden, at allotment sites and for building projects.

Recycle

A limited amount of bricks from home improvements or DIY can be disposed of at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Please note: The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only. Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment. Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites. If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Bubble wrap

Reuse

You can use bubble wrap for transporting fragile items in the post or when moving house. You can also wrap plants with it to protect them from frost.

Dispose

Bubble wrap cannot be recycled in your household recycling. You need to dispose of it in your household rubbish.

Bulky waste

Please see our bulky waste page for more information.

Materials starting with C

In this section you will find:

Car batteries

You can find out what to do with car batteries in section A to B, by looking under 'batteries: car.'

Cans and tins

Recycle

You can recycle cans and tins in your household recycling.

They can also be recycled in the appropriate bin at one of our recycling points and at either Household Waste Recycling Site.

Please empty and rinse out cans before recycling.

Cardboard

Reuse

Donate locally to people moving houses or use as a weed-suppressing mulch in the garden. You can also add to your compost bin in small pieces.

Recycle

You can put cardboard in your household recycling, or take to one of the city’s Household Waste Recycling Sites.

It can also be placed in the appropriate bin at one of our recycling points.

Please flatten cardboard before recycling it and remove any non-cardboard packaging such as plastic & polystyrene. Normal amounts of tape and staples are acceptable.

Tetra Pak cartons (such as juice and soup cartons) are made from mixed materials and should not be mixed with cardboard. See cartons for more information.

Keep paper and cardboard dry in your recycling. 

When paper and cardboard get too wet, cardboard and fibre prevent the material from being recycled. It’s a problem as water content affects the density of the material. This makes it harder to separate from other materials. 

The moisture also causes fibres in paper and cardboard to break down. This makes them fragile when they dry out. It's then harder to turn the material into new products at paper mills. If too much wet material finds its way into fibre bales, the paper mills need to reject the bale.

If you have an open recycling box:

  • leave paper and cardboard in your house until the rain stops
  • take your dry paper and cardboard to a recycling point and put it in the mixed recycling bins
  • dispose of very wet paper and cardboard in your household refuse

Cards

Reuse

You could cut off the picture on a card and use it for a new card

Recycle

You can recycle card in your household recycling

Dispose

If a card is covered in glitter or foil, it cannot be recycled. You should place it in your household rubbish

Carpets

Reuse

If in good condition you can sell or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms.

Dispose

You can dispose of carpets at Brighton and Hove’s Household Waste Recycling Sites and placed in the landfill area.

Cartons

Do not put cartons and tetrapak (such as alternative milks, juice and soup cartons) in your household or communal recycling bins. In Brighton & Hove we have to recycle them separately due to the mixed materials they are made from. 

Find out more about how to recycle cartons.

Recycle

Rinse and flatten empty cartons as much as possible and replace lids. Then take them to one of our carton recycling points or either of our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Find your nearest carton recycling point.

Dispose

If you are not able to access any of our carton recycling points, put them in your household rubbish.

Catalogues and magazines

Reuse

You could use these for collages, or donate locally using Freegle for use on art projects.

Recycle

Catalogues and magazines can be put in your household recycling

CDs and DVDs

Reuse

You could reuse them as coasters, in the garden or allotment to deter birds, or sell or donate locally to a charity shop or online using Freegle.

Dispose

CDs and DVDs cannot be recycled and you need to put them in your household rubbish.

Ceramics

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

You can recycle ceramics at one of the city’s Household Waste Recycling Sites in the hardcore container

Chairs

You can find out what to do with chairs in section D to F, by looking under 'furniture'.

Chemicals

Recycle

Both Household Waste Recycling Sites accept chemicals. Please ensure they are in sealed leak-proof containers. They should be placed on the chemical deposit table.

Please ask a member of staff if you need assistance.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Chipboard

Dispose

A limited amount of chipboard from home improvements or DIY can be disposed of at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Christmas cards

You can find out what to do with Christmas cards in section C, by looking under 'cards'.

Christmas trees

Recycle

Christmas trees can be taken to one of the Christmas tree recycling sites we open each year after Christmas, or taken to one of the city’s Household Waste Recycling Sites.

If you have signed up to our garden waste collections, a Christmas tree can be placed in your brown garden bin if it is cut up into smaller pieces to fit inside and does not include any logs wider than 10cm.

Christmas wrapping paper

You can find out what to do with Christmas wrapping paper in section W to Z, by looking under 'wrapping paper'.

Clinical waste

Dispose

Clinical waste cannot be accepted at the Household Waste Recycling Sites.

You must contact Environmental Services if you require a clinical waste collection.

Clothes

Reduce

Consider shopping for clothes in charity shops to give second-hand clothes a new life.

Reuse

Clothes in good condition can be sold or donated to a charity shop or online using Freegle and other online platforms.

Recycle

Find out more about how to recycle clothes.

You can recycle any clothes at one of the Household Waste Recycling Sites or textiles recycling points across the city.

Coat hangers

Reuse

Hangers in working condition can be sold or donated to a charity shop or online using Freegle and other online platforms.

Recycle

Broken wire hangers at either one of the city’s Household Waste Recycling Sites in the metal recycling container.

Dispose

Broken plastic and wooden coat hangers cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in your household rubbish.

Coffee cups

Reduce

Where possible use a reusable cup for on-the-go drinking.

Recycle

You can recycle coffee cups in one of the Cup Neutral coffee cup shaped bins across the city.

Dispose

If you are not able to access any of the recycling points for coffee cups, please put these in your household rubbish.

Computers and laptops

Reuse

Local not-for-profit organisation Tech-Takeback can collect laptops and desktop computers to be checked, refurbished or upgraded to be distributed to members of the community who don’t have access tech.

If they can’t be reused, they will be sent for recycling to extract the raw materials.

Recycle

You can recycle laptops, including cables, at our electrical recycling points (also known as WEEE bins) 

Find your nearest electrical recycling point. 

Find out more about recycling electricals.

Construction and demolition materials

Dispose

A limited amount of construction/demolition materials from home improvements or DIY can be disposed of at Household Waste Recycling Sites.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Confidential paper waste (shredded)

Reuse

Can be reused as animal bedding

Dispose

Confidential waste cannot be recycled in your household recycling, you should dispose of it in your household rubbish.

Conservatories

Reuse

If in good condition you can sell or donate locally using Freegle.

Dispose

Small dismantled conservatories from home improvements or DIY can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Sites providing you have done the work yourself. If you have paid someone to install or dismantle your conservatory then they must pay to dispose of it as business waste.

Please note: Business waste will not be accepted as the recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Cookers, ovens and hobs

Reuse

If in good condition you can sell or donate locally using Freegle.

Recycle

You can take these to either of the Brighton & Hove Household Waste Recycling Sites. 

Cooking oil

Recycle

You can take cooking oil to the Household Waste Recycling Sites and recycle it. Please take it in a sealed leak-proof container and place it on the oil deposit table.

Dispose

Small quantities in a sealed leak-free container can be placed in your household rubbish

Do not dispose of oil down drains, in toilets, onto soil or near water.

Corks

Reuse

You could give corks to schools for use in art projects.

Dispose

Corks can be disposed of in your household rubbish

Creosote

You can find out what to do with creosote by looking under 'chemicals'.

Crisp packets

Dispose

Crisp packets cannot be recycled and you should dispose of them in your household rubbish

Crockery: plates, saucers, bowls

You can find out what to do with crockery by looking under 'ceramics'.

Curtains

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

Do not take curtains to textile recycling points. If you want to recycle curtains, take them to one of our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Cutlery

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

In the metal recycling container at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Materials starting with D, E and F

In this section you will find:

Decking

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

Small amounts of decking from home improvements or DIY can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Sites.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Deodorant cans

You can find out what to do with deodorant cans in section A to B, by looking under 'aerosols'.

Diesel and petrol

You cannot take petrol and diesel to either of the household recycling centres.

Do not dispose of petrol down drains, onto soil or near water.

Contact a hazardous waste disposal company to dispose of it in a safe way. Some examples are below and you can also complete an internet search for others:

Drink cartons

You can find out what to do with drink cartons in section C, by looking under 'cartons'.

Doors

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

Small amounts of doors from home improvements or DIY can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Sites.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Duvets and quilts

You can find out what to do with duvets and quilts in section A to B, by looking under 'blankets and bedding'.

Egg boxes

Recycle

You can recycle cardboard egg boxes in your household recycling

Dispose

Plastic or polystyrene egg boxes cannot be recycled and should be placed in your household rubbish.

Electrical appliances and electronic equipment

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Local not-for-profit Tech-Takeback are able to collect laptops and desktop computers, which will be refurbished or upgraded and distributed to digitally excluded members of the community.

Recycle

Find out more about how to recycle electrical items.

Envelopes

Recycle

You can put envelopes in your household recycling - including any 'windows', stamps or sticky strips

Dispose

Padded envelopes cannot be recycled. Please put these in your normal household rubbish. 

Fencing and fence posts

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

Small amounts of fencing and fence posts can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling sites.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Fire extinguishers

Recycle

Hove Household Waste Recycling Site takes small household fire extinguishers. Commercial or business fire extinguishers should be taken back to where you bought them.

Fireworks

Reuse

Unused fireworks should be returned to where you bought them from.

Dispose 

Fireworks cannot be recycled and cannot be taken to household waste recycling sites. If you have used the firework, we advise that you soak them in water overnight, then dispose of them in your household rubbish.

Flammable chemicals

You can find out what to do with flammable chemicals in section C, by looking under 'chemicals'.

Flower pots

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

Ceramic and clay pots can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Sites and placed in the hardcore area. 

Dispose

You can put flower pots in your household rubbish

Fluorescent lighting tubes

Recycle

These can be accepted at both Household Waste Recycling Sites. They should be placed in the fluorescent tube box.

Foil and foil containers

You can find out what to do with foil and foil containers in section A to B, by looking under 'Aluminium foil and containers'.

Food and drinks cans

Recycle

You can recycle these in your household recycling. Please clean and rinse first.

Food

Reduce

See the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership page on ways to reduce food waste. 

Recycle

Get involved with a community composting scheme or buy a composting bin for home. See the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership for up-to-date information.

Dispose

You can dispose of food in your household rubbish

Food and meat trays

Dispose

Food and meat trays cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in your household rubbish

Fridges and freezers

Reuse

If in working condition sell, or donate locally online using Freegle.

Recycle

You can take these items to one of our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

We also run a Bulky Waste Collection Service for items which cannot be recycled or disposed of in your household collection or communal bins. This includes items of furniture and household appliances. We charge for this service, but discounts are available for people over 60 and those receiving certain benefit payments.

Furniture, including garden furniture

Reuse

If in good condition sell or donate locally online using Freegle. They can also be taken to the Hove recycling centre and donated to the YMCA shop where it will be sold to raise money for charity. Please ask a member of staff on site for advice.

Dispose

If your furniture is in poor condition then please take it to either of the Household Waste Recycling Sitesfor landfill. If you have no transport then please contact our Bulky Waste Collections Service.

Materials starting with G, H, I and J

In this section you will find:

Garden sheds

Reuse

Sell or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms. 

Dispose

A limited amount of waste - six small builder’s bags for each household each month - from home improvements or DIY can be disposed of at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Garden tools

Reuse

Sell or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms. They can also be taken to the Hove recycling site and donated to the YMCA shop to raise money for charity. Please ask a member of staff on site for advice.

Recycle

Can be recycled at our Household Waste Recycling Sites in the scrap metal container.

Garden waste

Recycle

Can be composted at home in your garden, or recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Both sites take garden waste, which is composted and turned into soil conditioner and sold at the site. Please remove plastic bags, string and other bindings.

We also run a fortnightly garden waste collection service.

Please look under 'J' for information about what to do with Japanese Knotweed and other invasive species.

Gas bottles and cylinders

Recycle

These remain the property of the producer and should be returned to where you bought them from. Some companies, such as Calor, will pay for returned cylinders.

If your gas bottle has no markings on it and you don't know where you got it from then you can take it to Hove recycling site.

Gas bottles are not accepted at the Brighton recycling site under any circumstances.

Glass bottles and jars

Reuse

Reuse glass bottles and jars when buying food and other household products in refill shops across Brighton & Hove. 

Jars can also be reused for keeping things tidy in the house, including nails, screws and stationary.

Recycle

All glass bottles and jars, including perfume bottles, go in your separate glass box or bin rinsed with metal lids on. Plastic lids can go in your household rubbish. 

You can also recycle glass bottles and jars at one of our recycling points, or at the Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Glasses, spectacles

Reuse

Many opticians have in-store collection points for glasses, which they send to charities for reuse.

Recycle

Cannot be recycled in your household recycling.

Grass cuttings

You can find out what to do with grass cuttings, by looking under 'garden waste'.

Greenhouses

Reuse

Sell, or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms. 

Recycle or dispose

A limited amount of waste - six small builder’s bags for each household each month - from home improvements or DIY can be disposed of at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Please note: The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Greeting cards

You can find out what to do with greeting cards in section C, by looking under 'cards'.

Hardcore and rubble

Reuse

Sell, or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms.

Recycle

You can take your hardcore to either the Household Waste Recycling Sites.

There is a limit of six small builder’s bags for each household each month.

Please note: The recycling centres are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away

Find out more about business waste.

Hazardous household waste and chemicals

You can find out what to do with hazardous household waste and chemicals in section C, by looking under 'chemicals'.

Hearing aids

You can find out what to do with hearing aids in section D to F, by looking under 'electrical appliance and electronic equipment'.

Helium canisters

Recycle

Ensure it is empty then take it to one of the recycling sites.

Ink cartridges

Recycle

Can be recycled at both Household Waste Recycling Sites in the cartridge recycling bin.

Irons

You can find out what to do with irons in section D to F, by looking under 'electrical appliance and electronic equipment'.

Ironing boards

Reuse

Sell, or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms.

Recycle

Ironing boards can be recycled at Household Waste Recycling Sites if they are made of metal or wood.

Some old ironing boards have an asbestos 'rest' and cannot be recycled. They can be taken to the above recycling sites, but must be wrapped in at least two layers of plastic.

If you are planning on visiting a recycling site with asbestos make sure you bring two forms of identification to prove you live in the city, including one form of photo ID.

Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants

Dispose

This weed cannot be taken to either of the recycling centres under any circumstances.

Disposal requires a professional specialist due to the extremely aggressive nature of the weed.

For more information on the disposal of this weed please visit the Environment Agency’s Japanese knotweed page.

Juice cartons, Tetra Pak

You can find out what to do with Tetra Pak juice cartons in section C, by looking under 'cartons'.

Junk mail

Reduce

Citizens Advice provides information on ways to stop getting junk mail.

Recycle

In your household recycling and at both Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Materials starting with K, L and M

In this section you will find:

 

Kettles

You can find out what to do with kettles in section D to F, by looking under 'electrical appliances and electrical equipment'. 

Kitchen waste

You can find out what to do with kitchen waste in section D to F, by looking under 'food'.

Kitchen cupboards

Reuse

Sell, or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms

Dispose

A limited number of kitchen cupboards from home improvements or DIY can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Sites.

The recycling centres are only for household waste from city residents. Business waste will not be accepted.

Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Kitchen and paper towels

Recycle

Cannot be recycled in your household recycling because they are made of thin fibres that make recycling extremely difficult. They are also very often contaminated spills or messes, the food waste, grease or dirt which also makes them non-recyclable.

Dispose

In your household rubbish.

Knives 

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

Take to one of the city’s Household Waste Recycling Sites and put in the metal container.

Lawnmowers

You can find out what to do with lawnmowers in section D to F, by looking under 'electrical appliances and electrical equipment'.

Light bulbs

Recycle

Fluorescent tubes and energy saving light bulbs should be taken to Household Waste Recycling Sites and recycled.

You can also take your energy saving light bulbs to shops and stores listed on Recycle Now.

These bulbs contain small amounts of mercury and hazardous materials so should not be put in your wheelie bin.

Dispose

Old style incandescent bulbs are not recyclable and are not hazardous. Please throw them away in your household rubbish.

Linoleum flooring

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

The contractor laying a new flooring should be able to take back any remnants.

Dispose

We can accept lino at both Household Waste Recycling Sites, but it must be placed in the non-recyclable waste.

Loft insulation

Reuse

Consider laying new insulation on top of your old insulation, for additional protection.

Dispose

Loft insulation can be disposed of at the Household Waste Recycling Sites in the ordinary non-recyclable waste area. 

Please double-bag loft insulation when transporting it, to prevent fibres floating into the air.

Magazines

You can find out what to do with magazines in section C, by looking under 'catalogues'.

Mattresses

Reuse

If they are in good conditions and not stained, you could sell or donate locally to a charity shop or online using Freegle.

Dispose

Mattresses cannot be recycled. You can dispose of them at one of the city’s Household Waste Recycling Sites in the landfill bin.

Medical and clinical waste

You can find out what to do with medical and clinical waste in section C, by looking under 'clinical waste'.

Mercury

You can find out what to do with mercury in section C, by looking under 'chemicals'.

Metal cans

You can find out what to do with metal cans in section A to B, by looking under 'aerosol cans'.

Metal lids

You can find out what to do with metal lids in section G to J, by looking under 'glass bottle and jar lids'.

Metal: scrap

Recycle

Can be recycled at one of the Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Microwave ovens

You can find out what to do with microwave ovens in section D to F, by looking under 'electrical appliances and electrical equipment'.

Mirrors

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop or online using Freegle.

Dispose

You can take mirrors to a Household Waste Recycling Sites and put it in the landfill container.

Mobile phones

You can find out what to do with mobile phones in section D to F, by looking under 'electrical appliances and electrical equipment'.

Mobile phone chargers

You can find out what to do with mobile phone chargers in section D to F, by looking under 'electrical appliances and electrical equipment'.

Motor and engine oil

Recycle

Do not pour engine oil down drains. You can recycle it at either of our Household Waste Recycling Sites in the proper oil container.

Materials starting with N, O and P

In this section you will find:

Nappies

Reduce

Consider using cloth nappies to reduce your overall nappy waste.

Dispose

In your household rubbish.

Oil: used cooking oil

You can find out what to do with used cooking oil in section C, by looking under 'cooking oil'.

Oil: used engine oil

Recycle

Do not pour engine oil down drains. You can recycle it at either of our Household Waste Recycling Sites in the proper oil container.

Ovens

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

Can be taken to one of the city’s Household Waste Recycling Sites.

If you have no transport then please contact the council which runs a Bulky Waste Collections Service. We charge for this service, but discounts are available for people over 60 and those receiving certain benefit payments.

Paint and emulsion

Recycle

Both Household Waste Recycling Sites take paint. Emulsion paint will be recycled. 

Gloss and oil based paints will be sent for safe disposal.

Please place all paints on the paint and chemical deposit table.

If the paint is in secure containers, we donate it for reuse by community and charity projects. 

Paint pots

Recycle

Both Household Waste Recycling Sites take paint pots.

Providing they are empty, metal paint pots can go in the metal container

Dispose

Plastic paint pots go in your household rubbish.

Pallets

Recycle

Pallets can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Sites and recycled as timber providing they have been used for a household purpose

Paper

Reuse

Use both sides of blank paper and reuse scrap paper for notes

Recycle

In your household recycling. You can also recycle windowed envelopes and stapled paper.

Keep paper and cardboard dry in your recycling.

When paper and cardboard get too wet, cardboard and fibre prevent the material from being recycled. It’s a problem as water content affects the density of the material. This makes it harder to separate from other materials. 

The moisture also causes fibres in paper and cardboard to break down. This makes them fragile when they dry out. It's then harder to turn the material into new products at paper mills. If too much wet material finds its way into fibre bales, the paper mills need to reject the bale.

If you have an open recycling box:

  • leave paper and cardboard in your house until the rain stops
  • take your dry paper and cardboard to a recycling point and put it in the mixed recycling bins
  • dispose of very wet paper and cardboard in your household refuse

Dispose

Shredded paper cannot be recycled and should be placed in your household rubbish

Paper towels

You can find out what to do with paper towels in section K to M, by looking under 'kitchen and paper towels'.

Paving slabs

You can find out what to do with paving slabs in section G to J, by looking under 'hardcore and rubble'. 

Pens

Dispose

Pens cannot be recycled in your household recycling and should be put in your household rubbish

Pesticides

You can find out what to do with pesticides in section C by looking under 'chemicals'.

Petrol and diesel

You cannot take petrol and diesel to either of the household recycling centres.

Do not dispose of petrol down drains, onto soil or near water.

Contact a hazardous waste disposal company to dispose of it in a safe way. Some examples are below and you can also complete an internet search for others:

Photographs

Dispose

Photographs cannot be recycled in your household recycling and should be put in your household rubbish

Pillows and cushions

You can find out what to do with pillows and cushions in section A to B, by looking under 'blankets and bedding'.

Plasterboard, plaster and gypsum based wastes

Recycle

A limited amount of waste from home improvements or DIY can be disposed of at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

There is a limit of six small builder’s bags for each household each month.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Plastics

Reduce

You can help reduce low grade plastics such as plastic pots, tubs and trays (PPTs) in the waste system by reusing containers or bottles to stock up at refill stations. You can also buy loose items like fruit and vegetables where possible. 

Recycle

We currently only collect plastics we know are recycled in the UK. This includes plastic bottles only. 
Other types of plastics such as pots, tubs and trays (PTTs) are difficult to recycle and currently lack reliable end markets. Flexible plastics and films can be taken to supermarkets who offer recycling schemes.

Dispose

Pots, tubs and trays should be placed in your household rubbish

Plastic bags

Reduce

By using a reusable bag instead.

Reuse

As much as possible/ They can be used as bin liners.

Recycle

Most supermarkets accept carrier bags as well as other soft plastics and films. Look out for the recycling bins, usually located by the main entrance.

Plastic bottles

This includes all bottles, like milk, water, shampoo, laundry liquid, bleach, detergent, handwash, shower gel. 

Reduce

You can get reusable water bottles for on the go drinking. You can also consider re-fillable bottles for laundry liquid, detergent, handwash, shampoo and shower gel. Many eco shops and supermarkets in Brighton have stations where you can re-fill bottles.

Recycle

In your household recycling, with lids, and any pumps or triggers, still on.

Before recycling, rinse the bottles out, squash, and replace the lids. For milk bottles you can place the lids inside the bottle before squashing it.

Plastic food containers and packaging (pots, tubs and trays)

Reduce

Avoid by choosing non-packaged foods where possible.

Recycle

You can take soft plastic films and wrappings (like clingfilm, plastic food bags), plastic netting and metallic plastic like crisp packets to supermarkets running recycling schemes.   

Dispose

Put plastic pots, tubs and trays in your household rubbish.

Plastic toys and hard or rigid items

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

Take hard plastics such as large toys, buckets and bins, water butts, plastic patio furniture, guttering and downpipes and large plastic storage containers at the Household Waste Recycling Sites. 

Dispose

If they are not in good condition and cannot be sold, donated or passed on for reuse, they can be put in your household refuse bin or general waste at the Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Electronic toys can be recycled at our Household Waste Recycling Sites, but please remove any batteries before dropping them off.

Plastic vending cups

Reduce

Where possible use a reusable bottle for on-the-go drinking

Dispose

Plastic vending cups cannot be recycled, please dispose of them in your household rubbish

Polystyrene

Dispose

Polystyrene cannot be recycled and should be disposed of in your household rubbish

Printer ink and toner cartridges

You can find out what to do with printer ink and toner cartridges in section G to J, by looking under 'ink cartridges'.

Pyrex ovenware

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop or online using Freegle.

Recycle

Cannot be recycled. While pyrex is a type of glass, it has been specially treated in the manufacturing process to withstand high temperatures, which makes it non-recyclable

Dispose

If you have broken or chipped pyrex to get rid of, do not recycle it with other glass items. Simply dispose of it carefully in your household refuse.

It can also be taken to either of the Brighton & Hove Household Waste Recycling Sites and placed in the general waste facility.

Materials starting with Q, R and S

In this section you will find:

Quilts and duvets

You can find out what to do with quilts and duvets in section A to B, by looking under 'blankets and bedding'.

Rubble, stones and gravel

You can find out what to do with rubble, stones and gravel in section G to J, by looking under 'hardcore and rubble'.

Saucepans

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Recycle

Take saucepans to either of our Household Waste Recycling Sites and put in the metal bin.

Scrap metal

You can find out what to do with scrap metal in section K to M, by looking under 'metal - scrap'.

Shoes

Reuse

Sell, donate locally to a charity shop or online using Freegle.

Recycle

You can take shoes to our textiles recycling points.

You can also recycle them at either of our Household Waste Recycling Sites. 

Shredded paper

Reuse

You can reuse shredded paper as bedding for small animals

Dispose

We cannot recycle shredded paper, you need to put it in your household waste bin.

Soil

You can find out what to do with soil in section G to J, by looking under 'hardcore and rubble'.

Spectacles

You can find out what to do with spectacles in section G to J, by looking under 'glasses'.

Sofas and settees

You can find out what to do with sofas and settees in section D to F, by looking under 'furniture'.

Storage heaters

You can find out what to do with storage heaters in section D to F, by looking under 'electrical appliances and electronic equipment'.

Styrofoam

Dispose

We cannot recycle styrofoam. You need to put it in your household waste bin.

Suitcases

Reuse

Sell or donate locally to a charity shop, or online using Freegle.

Dispose

We cannot recycle suitcases. You should take them to one of our Household Waste Recycling Sites for disposal. 

Sweet tins (metal)

Reuse

You can refill tins as food containers, or to keep things organised in the bedroom, living room or bathroom.

You can also donate them locally using Freegle and other online platforms.

Recycle

Metal tins can be taken to either of the Household Waste Recycling Sites

Dispose

Sweet wrappers cannot be recycled and should be placed in your household rubbish.

Sweet tubs (plastic)

Reuse

You can refill tubs as food containers, or to keep things organised in the bedroom, living room or bathroom.

You can also donate them locally using Freegle and other online platforms.

Dispose

We cannot recycle plastic sweet tubs. You should put them in your household waste bin along with any sweet wrappers.

Materials starting with T, U and V

In this section you will find:

Tables

You can find out what to do with tables in section D to F, by looking under 'furniture'.

Telephone directories

You can find out what to do with telephone directories in section C, by looking under 'catalogues'.

Televisions

You can find out what to do with televisions in section D to F, by looking under 'electrical appliances and electronic equipment'.

Tetra Pak

You can find out what to do with Tetra Pak in section C, by looking under 'cartons'.

Textiles

Reuse

Sell, or donate locally online using Freegle.

Recycle

Find out more about how to recycle textiles.

Find your nearest textiles recycling point.

Tiles

Reuse

Sell, or donate locally online using Freegle.

Recycle

A limited amount tiles - six small builder’s bags for each household each month - from home improvements or DIY can be disposed of at our Household Waste Recycling Sites, in the hardcore and rubble container.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste. 

Tins and cans

You can find out what to do with tins and cans in section C, by looking under 'cans and tins'.

Tomato purée tubes

Dispose

We cannot recycle these types of metal tubes because of the food residue left inside. You should put them in your household wate bin.

Tools

Reuse

You cannot put tools in your household or communal recycling bins. 

Hand tools, power tools and garden hand tools can be donated organisations such as the Brighton Community Workshop Project, this is a not for profit community organisation run by volunteers. 

Tools are restored, cleaned, tested and put back into use either as part of the Brighton Tool Library, in their workshop, passed on to community groups or sold to help raise funds. 

They may also be able to take workshop tools and workshop furniture.

Towels

You can find out what to do with towels, by looking under 'textiles'. 

Toys

You can find out what to do with toys in section N to P, by looking under 'plastic toys and hard or rigid items'.

Turf

Recycle

A limited amount of turf - six small builder’s bags for each household each month - from home garden improvements or DIY can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Sites.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Tyres

Recycle

You can recycle tyres at our Hove recycling site.

We cannot accept them at our Brighton site. 

Vapes

Reuse

Choose reusable or refillable instead of disposable vapes.

Recycle

Vapes can be recycled by returning them to retailers.

Find your nearest vape recycling location.

Vapes contain hidden batteries that can cause fires when put in rubbish, recycling or litter bins. Please remove the battery if possible and recycle separately.

To prevent fires in our collection trucks and sorting facility in Hollingdean, return vapes and batteries to retailers using the link above.

Vapes and batteries are also accepted at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

Vacuum cleaners

You can find out what to do with vacuum cleaners in section D to F, by looking under 'electrical appliances and electronic equipment'.

VHS video tapes

Reuse

Sell, or donate locally online using Freegle.

Dispose

We cannot recycle VHS tapes, you should put them in your household rubbish.

Materials starting with W, X, Y and Z

In this section you will find:

Wallpaper

Reuse

Sell or donate locally online using Freegle.

Dispose

We cannot recycle wallpaper. You can put in your household rubbish or take it to one of our Household Waste Recycling Sites for disposal.

Wardrobes

You can find out what to do with wardrobes in section D to F, by looking under 'furniture'. 

Water filter cartridges

Recycle

You can recycle Brita cartridges. 

Dispose

Put any cartridges that aren't Brita in your household rubbish

Weed killer

You can find out what to do with weed killer in section C, by looking under 'chemicals'.

Wetsuits

Reuse

Sell or donate locally online using Freegle.

Recycle

You can take wetsuits to your nearest textiles recycling point.  

Wheelbarrows

Reuse

Sell or donate locally online using Freegle.

Recycle

You can take wheelbarrows to either of our Household Waste Recycling Sites and put them the metal recycling container.

ReuseSell or donate locally using Freegle and other online platforms. 
Recycle 

Window panes and frames

Reuse

Sell or donate locally online using Freegle.

Dispose

We cannot recycle window panes or frames.

A limited number of window panes and frames from home improvements or DIY can be disposed of at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Wood

Recycle

A limited amount of wood - six small builder’s bags for each household each month - from home improvements or DIY can be disposed of at our Household Waste Recycling Sites.

The recycling sites are for household waste from city residents only.

Business waste will not be accepted. Business waste is any waste from commercial, trade or business activities. This includes any waste from domestic properties used for profit (for example landlords taking waste from a rented property) and waste that is being removed for payment.

Our staff have the right to inspect any waste entering the recycling sites.

If they suspect the waste is business waste the person will be turned away.

Find out more about business waste.

Wrapping paper

Reuse

Wrapping paper that hasn't been ripped can be reused as much as possible.

Recycle

You can recycle standard wrapping paper or tissue paper in your mixed recycling at home or at one of our recycling points.

Dispose

You cannot recycle plastic or foil wrapping paper, and you should put these in your household waste bin.

If you aren't sure what your wrapping paper is made of you can do the scrunch test. Scrunch the paper up and if it stays scrunched, it's paper and you can recycle it. If it bounces back it is most likely made with plastic or foil and you should reuse it or throw it away.

Yellow Pages

You can find out what to do with the Yellow Pages in section C, by looking under 'catalogues and magazines'.