Recycling centre A to Z

Following legislative changes to the Controlled Waste Regulations 2023, we have updated the acceptance criteria for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) waste at our recycling centres. 

Residents are able to dispose of small quantities of DIY waste at all Nottinghamshire recycling centres as long as the waste has been produced by the occupier of the domestic property and has not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

Residents are able to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit. Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

If your waste has arisen as a result of work undertaken by a tradesperson it is their legal responsibility to dispose of the waste for you. 

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access. You will not be allowed to use a work vehicle to dispose of waste at one of our recycling centres if the waste has a connection to the trade in which you work, even if it is your own household waste.

'Man with a van' services cannot be used for disposing of waste at our recycling centres under any circumstances.

There are some items that cannot be taken to our recycling centres and need specialist disposal such as asbestos, car tyres, trade, commercial or industrial waste. 

Below you can find a list of common household waste items and whether they’re accepted at our recycling centres.

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Item
Taken at recycling centre?
Look for these images
Animal waste
Taken at recycle centre? No
Look for these images

Animal waste, including horse manure and animal/pet bedding is not accepted at any of our recycling centres and should be disposed of in your waste wheeled bin.

Animal bedding (eg hay or newspaper) from herbivore (vegetarian) pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs can be put into your home compost bin, but not waste from cats or dogs. 

When walking your dog, please pick up your pet's waste in a plastic bag and dispose of it in a litter/dog waste bin or in your waste wheeled bin at home.

Asbestos
Taken at recycle centre? No
Look for these images Asbestos

Asbestos is dangerous to human health and must be disposed of safely. It is not accepted at any of our recycling centres.

If your ironing board has a metal resting plate which contains asbestos, it cannot be taken to our recycling centres. We provide a free disposal service for ironing boards containing asbestos.

If you have employed a contractor/tradesperson to dismantle a structure containing asbestos, it is their responsibility to remove this material from your property and dispose of it safely.

If you are a resident and dismantle and remove a structure containing asbestos yourself from your own home you can book an appointment to dispose of it at a dedicated site for a fee of £120, providing you meet certain criteria.

For further advice and information on asbestos visit the Health and Safety Executive website.

Ash
Taken at recycle centre? No
Look for these images

Ash is not accepted at any of our recycling centres. Once it has cooled down, put the ash from coal or wood fires into your waste wheeled bin instead. Small amounts of wood ash can be placed in your home compost bin.

Bathroom suites
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images Household waste

If residents have removed a bathroom suite from their property they are permitted to dispose of small quantities of this waste at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

Larger scale DIY jobs, renovations or refurbishments are not minor repairs and waste generated by such projects are not accepted at recycling centres even if you carry them out yourself to your own home.

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip, get a skip bag, or contact your district council who may offer a chargeable bulky waste collection.

Batteries
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Batteries Car batteries

Used batteries including mobile phone batteries, rechargeable batteries, cordless tool batteries and vehicle batteries are all accepted at recycling centres.

Some district councils also provide a collection for smaller used household batteries from your home.

Bicycles
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Scrap metal

Bicycles can also be donated to bicycle reuse projects. Some have facilities for repairing bicycles before reselling them.

Books
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Mixed paper & card

Books in good condition can also be donated to charity shops.

You can put paperback books into your recycling wheeled bin, but not hardbacks.

Some district councils provide book banks. 

Car engine oil
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Used engine oil

Residents who have changed their own engine oil can take the used oil to pour into a dedicated container at our recycling centres. You can also place your empty bottle in the household waste skip if you need to dispose of it.

Car parts
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

Only used engine oil and car batteries are accepted at recycling centres, no other car parts are accepted at recycling centres

Cardboard
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Mixed paper & card

You can also put dry cardboard in your recycling wheeled bin but please do not put wet cardboard in as this makes it difficult for the machinery to sort mixed recyclables.

Some district councils also provide cardboard recycling banks.

Carpets and rugs
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Household waste

Carpets and rugs in good condition can be donated to furniture re-use groups such as Freecycle. or another group in your local area.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Catalogues and brochures
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Mixed paper & card

Soft-backed catalogues can also be put in your recycling wheeled bin but please leave hard-backed versions out. 

To avoid this type of waste, consider viewing or downloading online versions where possible rather than paper copies.

Cement board
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

If the cement board that you are disposing of resembles asbestos, it will not be accepted at any of our recycling centres. 

If the cement board does not resemble asbestos you are permitted to dispose of small quantities of it at our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Chemicals
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images Household & garden chemicals

Please transport these carefully to one of our recycling centres and hand them to a member of staff.

Most recycling centres should be able to accept small quantities of most household chemicals in their chemical stores but if you have larger containers or larger quantities of chemicals, please contact our customer service centre who will be able to advise you. Please also contact our customer service centre if you have specialist chemicals that you need to dispose of.

Clothing and textiles
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Mixed textiles & clothes

Clothing and textiles disposed of at recycling centres that are in a good clean condition will be sent for reuse.

They can also be donated to charity shops or put in textile banks that some district councils provide.

Please do not put any clothing or other textiles in your recycling wheeled bin.

Coat hangers
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Scrap metal Household waste

At our recycling centres metal hangers should go in the 'scrap metal' skip and plastic or wooden hangers should go in the 'household waste' skip.

Clothes hangers in good condition can be donated to charity shops. 

Hangers can also be put in your waste wheeled bin.

Computers
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Electrical

Data held on computer hard drives should be wiped before they are taken to a recycling centre. Computer monitors, keyboards and mouse devices are also accepted at our recycling centres.

Please do not place these in your waste wheeled bin as they contain metals and/or components that could be recovered and reused. If these items are sent to landfill, these metals can contaminate the land.

Concrete (mixed or powder)
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

Residents are permitted to dispose of small quantities of concrete (mixed or powder) at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

Larger scale DIY jobs, renovations or refurbishments are not minor repairs and waste generated by such projects are not accepted at recycling centres even if you carry them out yourself to your own home.

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Cooking oil
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Cooking oil

There is a special container at all recycling centres for used cooking oil from householders as it can be recycled to create green electricity. Please do not pour cooking oil into the used engine oil container at recycling centres. Cooking oil from commercial properties is not accepted. 

Cooking oil/fat should not be poured down kitchen sinks as this can result in blocked drains.

Find out more about cooking oil recycling on the Veolia website, who are our waste management contractor.

 

Dead animals
Taken at recycle centre? No
Look for these images

If you see a dead animal on the road in a place that could cause an accident, please contact your district council who will arrange for the animal to be collected.

If your pet dies you may wish to contact a local pet crematorium.

Drain pipes
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

If the drain pipes that you are disposing of resembles asbestos, they will not be accepted at any of our recycling centres. 

If the drain pipes do not resemble asbestos you are permitted to dispose of small quantities of them at our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Electrical appliances
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Electrical

If your electrical appliance is still in good working order, you could donate it to a furniture reuse group such as the Furniture Re-use Network or Freecycle.

Alternatively, you could use a retailer take back scheme if you are purchasing a new appliance or contact your district council who can offer a chargeable bulky waste collection.

Some district councils also have recycling banks for small electrical appliances like hairdryers, kettles, toasters and power tools etc.

Please do not place small electrical appliances in your waste wheeled bin as they contain metals and/or components that could be recovered and reused.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Fire extinguishers
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images Gas bottles

Fire extinguishers up to 2kg in size from a household will be accepted at recycling centres.

Fire extinguishers larger than 2kg (such as 4kg/9litres) are not domestic fire extinguishers and originate from businesses. If you have one of these cylinders and are a business you should contact the cylinder supplier to arrange its disposal. If you are a householder and one has been left in your garage, shed etc the cylinder is still a business waste (commercial waste) and you will need to contact a fire extinguisher supplier and pay for its removal and disposal yourself.

Fireworks
Taken at recycle centre? No
Look for these images

Try to use all your fireworks at your event as they are not safe to store. Please contact the shop/retailer to find out how to return or dispose of surplus fireworks.

Food
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Household waste

Try to keep food waste to a minimum by only buying and cooking what you need. More ideas for portion sizing and using up leftovers can be found on the Love Food Hate Waste website.

You can find out about Love Food Hate Waste in Nottinghamshire and view the Notts Sustainable Cookery Book on the Veolia website, who are our waste management contractor.

Some food waste such as potato peelings, fruit skins, tea bags and coffee grounds can be added to your home compost bin. For more details visit the Nottinghamshire Get Composting website to find out how you can purchase subsidised compost equipment, or the Recycle Now website.

Food waste can also be placed in your waste wheeled bin but please wrap it in a plastic bag before doing so to minimise any smells. 

If you have a large amount of food waste to dispose of eg from a freezer fault or power cut, you can take it to any recycling centre in a bin liner. Please hand it to a member of staff and explain that it is waste food as the staff often open bin liners to further sort and recycle mixed waste.


Fridges and freezers
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Fridges & freezers

Most empty fridges and freezers (including non-commercial glass fronted fridges) are accepted at recycling centres. However, commercial glass fronted fridges, all glass topped fridges and fridges missing their motors are not accepted.

If your fridge or freezer is still in good working order, you could donate it to a furniture reuse group such as the Furniture Re-use Network or Freecycle.

Alternatively, you could use a retailer take back scheme if you are purchasing a new fridge/freezer, or contact your district council who can offer a chargeable bulky waste collection. 

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Furniture, including garden furniture
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Scrap metal Wood & timber

If your item is in a good condition and has a fire safety label (for upholstered items) it could be donated to a furniture re-use group such as Freecycle, or another group in your local area.

Alternatively contact your district council who can offer a chargeable bulky waste collection.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Garden furniture should not be placed in the garden waste skip at recycling centres. 

Garden or green waste
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Garden waste

Some garden waste can be composted at home. For more details visit the Nottinghamshire Get Composting website to find out how you can purchase subsidised compost equipment, or the Recycle Now website.

Some district councils offer a garden waste collection which they may charge for.

Please do not put diseased or invasive plants like Japanese Knotweed into any compost bin, garden waste wheeled bin or garden waste skip as this can cause environmental problems. Ragwort is also not accepted at recycling centres. These should be bagged and placed into your waste wheeled bin.

If you are hiring a van to transport garden waste to a recycling centre, temporary access can be arranged.

Gas bottles and cylinders
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images Gas bottles

Gas bottles are not actually waste; they have a financial value and belong to the individual gas supplier marked on the bottle. This is why when you buy gas you have to pay a monetary deposit on the bottle to ensure its safe return to the owner.

Bottles should be returned to the local retailer/stockist that supplied it. Alternatively return bottles to one of the brand name's parent company's dealers [PDF].

Should you have a gas bottle with no supplier markings or from a supplier who no longer exists or is outside the UK, you can return it to one of the companies listed on this poster [PDF].

Do not place gas bottles in your waste wheeled bin as they are potentially explosive.

Glass bottles and jars
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Mixed glass bottles & jars

All glass bottles and jars including those from food, drink, medicines and toiletries can be recycled at any recycling centre.

District councils provide bottle banks for the separate recycling of clear, green and brown glass bottles and jars. Please do not mix the colours.

Some district councils also offer a separate collection of glass bottles and jars from your home.

Metal lids should be removed first and can be placed in can banks at recycling banks. Otherwise place them in your waste wheeled bin.

Glassware (drinking glasses, dishes etc)
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Household waste

If the items are in good condition you could donate them to a charity shop, otherwise you can place them in your waste wheeled bin

Please do not put these glass items into bottle banks as they are often made from a different type of glass, eg Pyrex, white opaque glass, crystal etc that may contaminate the recycling process.

Glass (sheet glass, shower screens, glass furniture)
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

Residents can dispose of a single item made of sheet glass, such as a shower screen or a piece of glass furniture at our recycling centres, providing it meets our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

 

Glass (windows)
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

If you are having windows replaced by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of the old windows.

If you have replaced windows in your own property yourself, you can take a maximum of one window as long as it will fit in the boot of a car to a recycling centre. This is in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Gravel
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

Residents are permitted to dispose of small quantities of gravel at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

Larger scale DIY jobs, landscape gardening, renovations or refurbishments are not minor repairs and waste generated by such projects are not accepted at recycling centres even if you carry them out yourself to your own home.

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Greenhouse frames
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Scrap metal Household waste

Use the household waste skip at recycling centres for wooden framed greenhouses and the scrap metal skip for metal framed greenhouses.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

 

 

Guttering
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

If the guttering that you are disposing of resembles asbestos, it will not be accepted at any of our recycling centres. 

If the guttering does not resemble asbestos you are permitted to dispose of small quantities of it at our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Hardcore, bricks, rubble and building materials
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images Hardcore & rubble

Residents are permitted to dispose of small quantities of hardcore, bricks, rubble and other building materials at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

Larger scale DIY jobs, renovations or refurbishments are not minor repairs and waste generated by such projects are not accepted at recycling centres even if you carry them out yourself to your own home.

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Healthcare waste
Taken at recycle centre? No
Look for these images

Healthcare waste refers to any waste produced by, and as a consequence of, healthcare activities. It is very important that this type of waste is assessed by a healthcare professional in order to make sure it is disposed of appropriately. Healthcare waste is not accepted at recycling centres.

Only infectious healthcare waste and sharps/needles require a separate healthcare collection. If a healthcare professional has identified that you're producing non-infectious healthcare waste (such as incontinence pads) this can safely be placed in your general waste bin, but please place your waste in a plastic bag and seal it up first. 

Questions about healthcare waste can be answered by your local district/borough council:

You can request a healthcare waste collection online.

House clearances
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

If you are clearing your own house then you can take unwanted items to a recycling centre, although some smaller sites may not be able to accommodate all of your waste. 

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

However, you will not be permitted to dispose of any waste from a house clearance if it is transported in a vehicle advertising house clearances. Items that arise from house clearances for commercial reasons will not be accepted at our recycling centres in any vehicle.

Ink cartridges
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Household waste

Check with the manufacturer or supplier if they will accept empty cartridges. Envelopes for sending cartridges back for recycling can be found in some shops and supermarkets. 

Otherwise, empty cartridges can be placed in your waste wheeled bin.

Insulation
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Household waste

Residents are permitted to dispose of small quantities of insulation at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

Insulation should be double bagged before being taken to a recycling centre and handed to a member of staff.

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip, get a skip bag, or contact your district council who may offer a chargeable bulky waste collection.

Ironing boards
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images Scrap metal

If your ironing board has a metal resting plate which contains asbestos, it cannot be taken to our recycling centres. We provide a free disposal service for ironing boards containing asbestos. Please ring our customer service centre to book an appointment.

Kitchen units
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images Household waste

If residents have removed kitchen units from their property they are permitted to dispose of small quantities of waste at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

Larger scale DIY jobs, renovations or refurbishments are not minor repairs and waste generated by such projects are not accepted at recycling centres even if you carry them out yourself to your own home.

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip, get a skip bag, or contact your district council who may offer a chargeable bulky waste collection.

Knives
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images

Knives should be securely wrapped and handed to a member of staff at one of our recycling centres for safe disposal.

Lawn mowers
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Scrap metal Electrical

Use the scrap metal skip for petrol or push mowers, and the electrical skip for electrical or battery powered mowers.

Alternatively, if the mower is in working order it could be donated to a furniture re-use group such as the Furniture Re-use Network or Freecycle.

Light bulbs and fluorescent lighting
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Fluorescent tubes

Please do not put fluorescent tubes or energy saving bulbs in your waste wheeled bin as they contain components or chemicals that need specialist treatment. 

However, broken ordinary (incandescent) light bulbs can be wrapped and placed in your waste wheeled bin.

Please do not put any type of light bulb into glass bottle banks as they are made out of a different type of glass and contain metal parts which can contaminate the glass recycling process.

Mattresses
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Household waste

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or contact your district council who may offer a chargeable bulky waste collection.

Medicines
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

Any unused medicines should be returned to your local chemist or pharmacy. Do not pass them on to other people. Empty glass medicine bottles can be recycled with your other glass bottles, but please remove and discard lids first.

Metals
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Scrap metal

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or contact your district council who may offer a chargeable bulky waste collection.

Mobile phones
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Electrical

Some district councils have recycling banks for small electrical appliances. 

You can also donate unwanted mobile phones to charity, or sell them to mobile phone recycling companies.

Please do not place mobile phones in your waste wheeled bin as they contain metals and/or components that could be recovered and reused. If these items are sent to landfill, the metals can contaminate the land.

Please ensure that any data held on mobile phones is wiped before they are taken to a recycling centre.

Mortar and rendering
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

Residents are permitted to dispose of small quantities of mortar and rendering at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

Larger scale DIY jobs, renovations or refurbishments are not minor repairs and waste generated by such projects are not accepted at recycling centres even if you carry them out yourself to your own home.

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Needles and syringes
Taken at recycle centre? No
Look for these images

Healthcare waste refers to any waste produced by, and as a consequence of, healthcare activities, including needles and syringes. It is very important that this type of waste is assessed by a medical professional in order to make sure it is disposed of appropriately. Healthcare waste is not accepted at recycling centres.

You can request a healthcare waste collection online.

Oil tanks
Taken at recycle centre? No
Look for these images

We are unable to accept oil central heating tanks at recycling centres.

Oil tanks should always be properly decommissioned by OFTEC or other appropriately qualified technicians. The technician will then arrange for safe and legal disposal of the tank. Do not attempt to carry this out yourself. 

Paint
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

Tins of paint should never be put in your bin at home unless they are empty or contain only solid dried-up paint residue. When tins of liquid paint are crushed in the back of a rubbish truck the paint can spill onto the street and cause problems. Never pour paint down your sinks and drains as it may pollute water courses.

Nottinghamshire residents can donate surplus tins of paint at Calverton, Newark, Beeston or Warsop recycling centres to Community Repaint Nottinghamshire, part of the national Community RePaint Network. Charities, community groups and Nottinghamshire residents, can collect the paint for reuse free of charge.

The following types of paint are suitable for reuse:

  • Matt and silk emulsion
  • Gloss paint – interior and exterior
  • Eggshell and satin paint
  • Kitchen or bathroom paint
  • Undercoat - water or oil based
  • Primer
  • Masonry paint
  • Varnish - water or oil based
  • Wood stain
  • Tile paint
  • Floor paint

These paints cannot be reused in the scheme:

  • Paint from business/decorators
  • Paint not in its original container
  • Paint tins with a hazardous symbol
  • Any paint containing lead
  • Paint thinners, eg white spirit
  • Paint stripper or brush cleaners
  • Wood preservative

Tins of paint that cannot be reused will be sent for specialist treatment, and the metal or plastic containers will be recycled where possible.

You will not be allowed to use a sign written vehicle to dispose of waste at one of our recycling centres if it has a connection to the waste, even if it is your own household waste, eg paint from a vehicle advertising painting and decorating services.

Paint tins that are empty or contain only dried up paint residues can be put in your waste wheeled bin or taken to any recycling centre.

Petrol
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images

Small amounts of petrol, up to 5 litres carried in an approved SI 1982/630 plastic container, are accepted at recycling centres.

Please make the site staff aware that you are carrying petrol when you arrive on site and they will check your container and guide you to the correct disposal container on site.

Plant pots
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Household waste

Try to reuse plant pots where possible or choose biodegradable versions.

Some garden centres offer a free plastic plant pot recycling service and some district councils provide plastic banks where plastic plant pots can be recycled.

Plasterboard
Taken at recycle centre? See details
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Small quantities of plasterboard can be disposed of at any of our recycling centres, apart from Mansfield in small amounts, if you have carried out refurbishments yourself in your own property. The amount of plasterboard must be in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

 

If the work was carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of the waste.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or contact your district council who may offer a chargeable bulky waste collection.

Polystyrene
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Household waste

Polystyrene is accepted at recycling centres, but not recycled. You can also dispose of it in your waste wheeled bin.

Radiators
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images Scrap metal

Residents are permitted to dispose of a single radiator at any of our recycling centres, provided they have replaced the radiator themselves in their own property. This is in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Roofing felt
Taken at recycle centre? See details
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Residents are permitted to dispose of small quantities of roofing felt at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

Roofing felt should be double bagged before being taken to a recycling centre and handed to a member of staff.

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Roof slate and roof tiles
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

Residents are permitted to dispose of small quantities of roof slate and/or roof tiles at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

Larger scale DIY jobs, renovations or refurbishments are not minor repairs and waste generated by such projects are not accepted at recycling centres even if you carry them out yourself to your own home.

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Sand (sharp and play)
Taken at recycle centre? See details
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Residents are permitted to dispose of small quantities of sand (sharp sand and/or play sand) at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Sandbags (used as flood defence by householders)
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

Residents are permitted to dispose of sandbags that have been used as flood defences at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Sheds
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Scrap metal Wood & timber

Use the wood and timber skip at recycling centres for wooden sheds and the scrap metal skip for metal sheds.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

 

Shoes
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Mixed textiles & clothes

Shoes, boots and trainers can be disposed of at recycling centres and are sent for reuse if in good condition. If they are not suitable for reuse, they can be recycled instead.

Footwear in good condition can also be donated to charity.

Sofas and armchairs
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
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Some charities will accept sofas and armchairs that are in a good condition and have their fire safety labels in place. If you wish to dispose of them at your local recycling centre please ensure that they remain in one piece and are not cut up. If there is any damage to the furniture please cover any rips with tape or with secured plastic bags or wrapping.

Soil and clay
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Hardcore & rubble Garden waste

Small amounts of soil attached to plant roots or turf can be placed in the garden waste skip at recycling centres.

Larger amounts should be taken to one of our recycling centres, but must be within the DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Televisions and monitors
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Electrical

There is a dedicated container for televisions and monitors at our recycling centres.

Tetrapak cartons
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
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All recycling centres are currently accepting cartons/Tetrapak as part of an ongoing trial.

Please do not place these in your kerbside recycling bin.

Tiles (floor, wall and roof)
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images Household waste

Residents are permitted to dispose of small quantities of floor, wall or roof tiles at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

Larger scale DIY jobs, renovations or refurbishments are not minor repairs and waste generated by such projects are not accepted at recycling centres even if you carry them out yourself to your own home.

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Tree roots
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Garden waste

Please ensure the root is no more than 6 inches in diameter. 

Some garden waste can be composted at home. For more details visit the Nottinghamshire Get Composting website to find out how you can purchase subsidised compost equipment, or the Recycle Now website.

Some district councils offer a garden waste collection which they may charge for.

If you are hiring a van to transport garden waste to a recycling centre, temporary access can be arranged.

Turf
Taken at recycle centre? See details
Look for these images

Residents are permitted to dispose of small quantities of turf at any of our recycling centres, in line with our DIY acceptance criteria (see below). 

DIY waste acceptance criteria 

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to two 50 litre bags worth of waste or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm in size per visit.

Residents must not exceed four single visits per household in any four week period.

DIY waste must have been produced by residents and cannot have not come from construction or demolition works for which a payment has been made.

If construction or home improvement work has been carried out by a tradesperson, it is their legal responsibility to dispose of any waste that is produced.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own Household Waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Alternatively, you could hire a skip or get a skip bag.

Tyres
Taken at recycle centre? No
Look for these images

Car tyres cannot be taken to recycling centres and they should not be put in your waste wheeled bin.

Most car repair garages will take your old tyres when they are replacing them with new ones. However if you have replaced your own tyres, a garage may charge you a fee for accepting your old tyres. Dependent on the quality of the tyre, they will either be sent for re-treading or disposal.

Washing machines/dishwashers
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Electrical

Washing machines (including twin tubs), tumble dryers and dishwashers are accepted at recycling centres.

If your washing machine or tumble dryer is still in good working order, you could donate it to a furniture reuse group such as the Furniture Re-use Network or Freecycle.

Alternatively, you could use a retailer take back scheme if you are purchasing a new washing machine or tumble dryer, or contact your district council who can offer a chargeable bulky waste collection.

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.

Wood
Taken at recycle centre? Yes
Look for these images Wood & timber

If you are hiring a van to transport your own household waste to a recycling centre, you must arrange temporary access.


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