Recycling A-Z

The list below shows what can and cannot be recycled at Oxfordshire County Council's seven Waste Recycling Centres around the county. You can check kerbside collections on your local district council's website:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Aerosols

Some district councils collect aerosol cans in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the bottom of the page). Normal domestic aerosols can be recycled at the Waste Recycling Centres by placing them in the wheely bin.

Aluminium foil

Some district councils collect foil in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the bottom of the page). This can be placed in the scrap metal containers at the Waste Recycling Centres for recycling.

Animal and pet waste

Only animal waste and bedding from the keeping of domestic animals is accepted at Waste Recycling Centres. Waste can be placed loose in the container for green waste, where it will be taken for composting. Please do not place plastic bags in the green waste container. Alternatively householders are encouraged to compost their pet bedding at home. For further information about composting please contact the Waste Management Group on 08450 504550.

Householders who wish to bring bagged animal and pet bedding to site, and do not wish to turn it out into the green container, please place the bagged waste in the landfill container for disposal.

Dog faeces and waste from livestock, breeding, boarding, stabling or exhibiting of animals is not accepted.

Asbestos

You can dispose of asbestos at Ardley, Redbridge and Dix Pit Waste Recycling Centres. See our asbestos page for more information.

Bathroom suites

Bathroom suites can be deposited at our Waste Recycling Centres. These come under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb). Each item is counted separately: for example a toilet, sink and bath. We accept up to three items for free, before charging.

Ceramic toilets and sinks can be placed in the rubble container for recycling but must have all plastic and metal parts removed.

Batteries

Some district councils collect batteries in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the top of the page). Old car batteries and any domestic battery (eg torch, remote control, watch) can be disposed of at any of our Waste Recycling Centres and can be deposited in signed containers for recycling.

You are able to locate your nearest point to recycle these batteries through the Recycle More website.

Bedding and duvets

Some charities such as the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary accept duvets to be reused as bedding for the animals. Duvets cannot be recycled so should be placed in the landfill container if taken to a Waste Recycling Centre.

Bicycles

Bicycles in a good condition can be taken to Redbridge Waste Recycling Centre for refurbishment. Other bikes can be placed in the scrap metal containers for recycling. Alternatively, Oxford Cycle Workshop (a social enterprise) will refurbish bicycles.

Books

Local charity shops may be able to use your old books. If the books cannot be re-used then you can take them to your local Waste Recycling Centre. If the book has a hardback cover, then the cover needs to be removed and disposed of as rubbish but you can put the pages into the mixed paper bin.

Blue glass bottles

Some district councils collect glass in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the bottom of the page). You can also place these in the mixed glass bottle banks at our Waste Recycling Centres.

Cardboard

Some district councils collect cardboard in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the bottom of the page). All types of clean cardboard from households can be taken to any of the Waste Recycling Centres for recycling.

Carpets

Carpets cannot be recycled because of the mix of fabrics they contain, they can however be disposed of at any of our Waste and Recycling Centres in the landfill container. These come under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb). Ten carpet tiles smaller than 1.5mx1.5m or 1 roll of carpet up to 3m x 5m counts as one item and we can accept up to three items for free before charging.

Please try to reuse them, or offer them to charity shops or community groups.

Cartons

Paper based drinks cartons (such as Tetra Paks) can be recycled at Alkerton, Ardley, Dean Pit and Dix Pit Household Waste Recycling Centres. These cartons are typically used for fruit juices.

There are no carton banks at Oakley Wood and from week commencing 18 April 2011 banks will be removed from Drayton, Redbridge and Stanford as they can be placed in your kerbside collection service. Please see your district council webpage for more information.

CDs and DVDs

If you have unwanted CDs or DVDs firstly try to take them to your local charity shop. Alternatively CDs can be sent to Polymer Recycling Ltd for secure recycling. They can even recycle 'jewel' CD cases. No payment is required apart from the amount of postage required to send the CD.

Send your CDs to Polymer Recycling, Peninsula Business Park, Reeds Lane, Moreton, Wirral CH46 1DW or for more information visit www.polymerrecycling.co.uk.

Chemicals

We can accept small quantities of a range of household chemicals for recycling, reuse or safe disposal. Items such as bleach, car anti-freeze (coolant), household cleaning products and paint stripper can be placed in the area for hazardous waste at any recycling centre.

We recommend that when chemicals are taken to the Waste Recycling Centres they are in their original containers and visibly labelled.

Christmas cards

You can put your Christmas cards in the cardboard recycling bins at the Waste Recycling Centres. Some supermarkets also provide bins to collect greetings cards after Christmas.

Christmas trees

See garden waste.

Clinical/Healthcare

For more information on collections of clinical or healthcare waste please contact your local district council.

Medicines can be taken to your local pharmacy for disposal and needles and syringes can be disposed of at your local surgery. Pet medicines can be taken back to the surgery where they were issued or some pharmacies may accept these.

Clothing

See textiles.

Commercial waste

We cannot accept commercial waste at any of our Household Waste Recycling Centres, please see the commercial waste section of our website for further details.

Computer and computer monitors (WEEE)

We accept a small number of personal computers at Waste Recycling Centres.

Check that you have wiped your computer's hard drive (which contains your personal details) before depositing the computer at the WRC. It is your responsibility to ensure that your personal details have been removed. If you take your computer to a repair shop, check that they will guarantee their work against possible data theft.

Once you have cleared personal data from your computer, then householders can take it to a Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the 'Small WEEE' container for recycling.

Computer consumables

For printer cartridges see toner cartridges.

Computer CDs, DVDs and floppy diskettes cannot be recycled. If the CD or DVD is music or film and still plays then your local charity shop may accept them as donations. Some charity shops accept empty CDs or DVD cases as they can sell these in their shops.

Cooking Oil

Small amounts of used cooking oil can be absorbed in newspaper or food and disposed of in your food waste bin.

Dix Pit Waste Recycling Centre also collects small amounts of cooking oil from householders.

If you have large quantities please contact Golden Fuels on 0777 200 4474 who can turn this waste oil into bio diesel.

DIY waste

DIY waste from householders is accepted at all eight Waste Recycling Centres. Under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb) the first three items are free and subsequent items are charged at £1 each up to a maximum of £10 (i.e. 13 items in total). An example of one item is a bin bag of rubble or one kitchen unit.

Please help us to recycle as much as possible and only put the following into the rubble container: bricks, rubble, hardcore, soil, sheet glass, ceramics and tiles. No plastic bags or buckets, turf or plasterboard. Ceramic toilets and sinks can be placed in the rubble container but must have all plastic and metal parts removed.

Doors

These come under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb). Each item is counted separately and we accept up to three items for free, before charging. Plastic doors should be put into the landfill bin.

Drain pipes

These come under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb). Each item is counted separately and we accept up to three items for free, before charging.

Drinks cartons

See cartons section above.

Electrical items

We can recycle any electrical items at our waste recycling centres. Please see our page on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment for more information.

Engine oil and engine filters

Householders can dispose of used engine oil at any of our household Waste Recycling Centres.

When you bring oil to a site, we advise that you keep it in its original containers, which are clearly labelled, so that site staff can be sure of the correct way to dispose of it. In addition, please do not bring oil to site in containers which can hold volumes larger than 10 litres, as larger containers can be difficult to empty into the collection tank.

Fire extinguishers

Old fire extinguishers can be returned to the retailer or supplier. Please note that extensively corroded extinguishers cannot be accepted.

Please do not place fire extinguishers in your dustbin or in the containers at our Waste Recycling Centres as they may explode if they are crushed. Staff at our Waste Recycling Centres will show you to the area where they can be stored safely before being reused. Please make sure that:

All empty extinguishers have the handles securely taped together
Full/part full extinguishers have safety pin in place
Carbon Dioxide extinguishers should have a blanking cap if a swivel horn is not attached

Fluorescent tubes (WEEE)

We accept a small number of fluorescent tubes from householders only at any of our Waste Recycling Centres.

Fridges or freezers (WEEE)

All Waste Recycling Centres accept fridges and freezers from householders disposing of their own fridge or freezer. District councils also provide a 'bulky waste' collection service which may be chargeable. Contact your local district council for more details (see the links at the bottom of the page).

Furniture (eg old sofas)

We can accept household furniture at the Waste Recycling Centres, however some must be landfilled due to the mix of materials used to make it. Wooden or metal furniture can be recycled in the appropriate container.

At Dix Pit Recycling Centre furniture with the necessary fire resistant labels and in a suitable condition to be re-used can be placed in a separate container at the site where it is taken by a charity called Emmaus for re-distribution to families on low incomes. For more information on furniture reuse please contact Emmaus on 01865 763398.

Your local district council may also be able to provide you with a service for collection of furniture for disposal.

Garden chemicals

Small quantities of hazardous waste from householders can be taken to the Waste Recycling Centres and placed in the red chemical stores where it will be treated and disposed of appropriately.

We advise that when taking the chemicals to site they are kept in their original containers and clearly labelled to ensure that site staff are able to dispose of the waste correctly.

Garden waste

All districts have kerbside green waste collections (follow the links at the bottom of the page to find out more). All Waste Recycling Centres also accept garden waste including branches up to 150mm in diameter, for composting:

What we can accept

Yes please:	No thank you:
hedge clippings	meat, cooking oil, wax or waxed paper
twigs and small branches (max. 150mm diameter)	fruit, salad or vegetable peelings
flowers and plants	tea bags or coffee grinds
windfalls	egg shells, stale bread or crusts
grass cuttings	cooked food (including vegetables)
leaves	large items of garden waste (eg tree trunks)
shrub prunings	plastic bags
vegetable waste from the garden, eg potato tops	glass, metal and plastics
bark and wood shavings	nappies
hay / straw (soiled animal bedding from non-meat eating animals only, eg rabbits)	stone and rubble
Christmas trees	large quantities of soil
	any other household waste
	Japenese Knotweed
	Ragwort

Gas bottles

Old gas cylinders can be returned to the retailer or supplier. For gas cylinders other than Calor Gas, you can ring the LP Gas Association on 08457 626379 for advice. For Calor Gas Bottles, please call 0800 662 663 and they will inform you of where your nearest Calor Gas Direct Outlet is.

Please do not place gas cylinders in your dustbin or in the containers at our Waste Recycling Centres as they may explode if they are crushed. Staff at our Waste Recycling Centres will show you to the area where they can be stored safely before being reused.

Glass bottles or jars

Some district councils collect glass in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the bottom of the page).

We can also accept glass bottles and jars at our Waste Recycling Centres.

Glass - other

Clean sheet glass with no metal or plastic attached can be put in the rubble container for recycling.

Glasses

See spectacles below.

Guttering/drain pipe/fascia/soffit

These come under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb). Each item is counted separately and we accept up to three items for free, before charging. We can recycle metal guttering and drainpipes at all of our Waste Recycling Centres but other material should be put in the landfill container.

Gypsum waste

For more information regarding the disposal of gypsum waste please see the plasterboard section.

Hardcore and rubble

We accept small amount of hardcore at the Waste Recycling Centres from householders in the container marked 'Rubble'. Please note that you may be charged under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 120Kb) for DIY waste.

Japanese Knotweed

If you suspect you have Japanese Knotweed on your property you should take care not to allow it to spread. Even the smallest piece of rhizome, stem or crown can potentially form a new plant. For more imformation please see our Japanese Knotweed factsheet (.pdf format, 14Kb)

Lawnmowers

Electric lawnmowers are classed as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and can be recycled. If you have a petrol lawnmower, please make sure that the petrol tank is completely empty, and it can then be placed in the scrap metal skip for recycling.

Light bulbs

Filament bulbs, energy saving bulbs and fluorescent tubes can all be placed in the Fluorescent Tubes container at the Waste Recycling Centres for recycling.

You are able to locate your nearest point to recycle these light bulbs on the Recolight website. Up arrow

Mattresses

Mattresses can be taken to any of our Waste Recycling Centres and should be placed in the landfill container. If your mattress is still in good condition you could consider offering it on www.freecycle.org.

Metal

There are scrap metal banks at each Waste Recycling Centre. All metals, including tin cans and foil, should be placed in the scrap metal banks for recycling. Please ask the site staff if you are unsure where to place your metals.

Please ensure all gas bottles are separated from metal and placed in the secure cages at the Waste Recycling Centres

Mobile phones (WEEE)

There are many charities that raise money by collecting old mobile phones. Alternatively, they can be placed in the 'small WEEE' containers available at all Waste Recycling Centres for recycling.

Remember to take out your old SIM cards.

Paint

We are unable to accept liquid paint, as it could contaminate landfill sites, so if you can't use it up or find it a good home by giving it away you will need to harden it before disposal. You can buy a paint hardener, or add sawdust, sand or soil to the tin and leave the lid off until the paint becomes solid and dry (please pierce the dried paint before taking it to a Waste Recycling Centre to make sure it's fully hardened).

If you have excess paint at home, try and use it up, either yourself or give it away to friends or relatives or donate it to a charity.Community RePaint is a network of paint re-use schemes who may be able to use your leftover usable paint.

Clean and dry metal tins can be thrown into the scrap metal banks at any Waste Recycling Centre, but plastic or contaminated tins must be landfilled (there is a landfill skip on every site).

In the future, follow the guidelines on the tin of paint before buying to ensure that you buy just the amount you need for a job.

The BBC, Dulux and Tesco are just a few of the organisations who provide online calculators so that you can work out how much paint you need before you buy it.

Paper

All district councils collect paper in their doorstep collections (see the links at the top of the page).

At the Waste Recycling Centres, we have a mixed paper container which collects all types of paper including shredded paper, junk mail and books. Please remove the covers from hardback books first.

Telephone directories such as the Yellow Pages or Thomson Local Directory can be recycled in some doorstep collection schemes (see the links at the top of the page to check). If your district council doesn't collect them, you can take them to a Waste Recycling Centre, or a local bring bank instead. You can use the postcode search on the Recycle now website to find your nearest.

To save paper, you could cancel your telephone directory home delivery, and look online instead. To cancel Yellow Pages, call Freephone 0800 671 444. To cancel the Thomsons Local Directory, call 01252 390990.

Please note: laminated paper, newspaper used for foil, glitter or laminated wrapping paper cannot be recycled in any scheme - either at the Waste Recycling Centres or by your local district council. See the wrapping paper entry below for more information.

Plasterboard and other gypsum waste

Plasterboard is no longer accepted in the landfill skips at any of the Waste Recycling Centres because of new regulations by the Environment Agency.

You can take plasterboard to Ardley, Dix Pit or Redbridge Waste Recycling Centre, and deposit it in the plasterboard skips provided for recycling. Please note that you may be charged under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb) for DIY waste.

Plasterboard needs to be separated from materials such as tiles, bricks, wood, metal packing or wall adhesive before being placed into the plasterboard skip for recycling.

It is advisable to call the recycling centre beforehand to check there is space in the container for it. The telephone numbers are: Ardley (01869) 343459, Dix Pit (01865) 880782 and Redbridge (01865) 721464.

Plastic bags

Some district councils will collect plastic bags in their doorstep collections.

There are plastic bag recycling banks at most of the larger supermarkets, either near the door or with the other recycling banks. Although the most 'environmentally friendly' option is to not produce waste in the first place. Try bringing your own bags or buy a better quality bag that you can re-use.

Plastic

All district councils collect plastic in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the bottom of the page).

There are over 50 types of plastic but only six are labelled. Those plastics labelled 1 or 2 can be recycled at most Waste Recycling Centres. These generally include plastic bottles and food containers (washed out). For more information, see this Recycling plastic containers factsheet (.pdf format, 86Kb).

Polystyrene

We currently cannot find a viable outlet for polystyrene recycling, so at present this must be put into the landfill container.

Printer cartridges

See toner cartridge section.

Radiators

These come under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb). Each item is counted separately and we accept up to three items for free, before charging. Metal radiators can be put into the metal containers at the Waste Recycling Centre for recycling.

Shoes

Your local charity shop may accept good quality shoes. Alternatively, we accept shoes for recycling at our Waste Recycling Centres. They can be placed in the textiles container.

Smoke alarms

Smoke alarms cannot be recycled, but can be disposed of in your normal household waste or alternatively can be taken to one of our Waste Recycling Centres and placed in the landfill bin.

Spectacles

There are many charities such as Vision Aid Overseas which benefit from your old spectacles. Most opticians also collect old spectacles for donation to charity.

Soil

Soil can be placed in the rubble container but turf cannot be recycled and should be put in the landfill container at the Waste Recycling Centres. Please note that you may be charged under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb) for DIY waste.

Teddy bears and soft toys

Your local charity shop, hospital or clinic could benefit from your unwanted good quality teddy bears and soft toys. Alternatively they can be placed into a textile bank at a household waste recycling centre for shredding and recycling.

Telephone directories

See paper section above.

Televisions (WEEE)

We accept a small number of televisions at each Waste Recycling Centre.

Tetra Paks

See cartons section above.

Textiles

Your local charity shop will accept good quality textiles. Alternatively, you are able to take textiles in any condition, including ripped or damaged textiles to any Waste Recycling Centre for recycling. Duvets, pillows, carpet and soiled or wet items will not be accepted in the textiles container.

Toner cartridges

There are many charities that can raise money from your old toner cartridge - just search the web to find a charity of your choice.

Tools

Tools can be taken to Redbridge Waste Recycling Centre, where they are collected by the charity Orinoco for reuse. At other Waste Recycling Centres please place metal tools in the metal container and electrical tools into the small electrical container for recycling.

Toys

Your local charity shop, hospital or clinic could benefit from your unwanted good quality toys.

Trade waste - recycled

See the Where to recycle waste from your business (pdf format, 601Kb) leaflet or further information can be found on the commercial waste section of our website.

Tyres

Householders can take up to five car or motorcycle tyres at any of our Waste Recycling Centres in any one visit at a cost of £2.50 per tyre. Visits to deposit tyres are limited to two per year. Tyres from a bicycle will be accepted free of charge. They should be separated from the main frame. Up to a maximum of five bicycle tyres may be deposited per month. Please see our tyre recycling leaflet (pdf format, 130Kb) for more information.

Video cassettes

Due to the type of plastic used to make video cassettes we are unable to recycle them at present. Please try to donate pre-recorded videos to charity shops. If they are not in a re-useable condition, they can be disposed of in the landfill bin or in your normal household waste.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

WEEE regulations came into force in England from 1 July 2007. WEEE items will be accepted across all Waste Recycling Centres in Oxfordshire. See our page on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment for more details about the regulations, and which items it covers.

Water tanks

Water tanks can be taken to our Waste Recycling Centres. These come under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb). Each item is counted separately and we accept up to three items for free before charging. Metal water tanks should be placed in the metals container for recycling. Please ask the site staff if you are unsure and they will direct you to the correct container.

Window frames

We can accept window frames at our Waste Recycling Centres. These come under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 229Kb). Each item is counted separately and we accept up to three items for free before charging. Certain materials may be able to be recycled, please check with a member of site staff which container they should be placed into.

Wood

There is a wood bin at each of the Waste Recycling Centres. We can accept all types of wood to be diverted from landfill including MDF and chipboard.

Wrapping paper

You can recycle traditional wrapping paper or brown paper, but make sure you remove any tape first. You could also compost tissue or crepe paper. Please note that foil, glitter or laminated wrapping paper cannot be recycled, this can be disposed of in your normal household waste collection or in the landfill bin at any Waste Recycling Centre.

Yellow Pages

See paper section above.