Recycling A-Z
The list below shows what can and cannot be recycled at Oxfordshire County Council's eight 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 (WRCs) by placing them in the green wheelie 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 at Household Waste Recycling Centres, 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
These come under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 247Kb). Each item is counted separately: toilets, sinks, baths etc, and we accept up to three items for free, before charging.
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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.
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.
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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.
Please try to reuse them, or offer them to charity shops or community groups.
Cartons
Paper based drinks cartons (such as Tetra Paks) can now be recycled at all Waste Recycling Centres. These cartons are typically used for fruit juices.
CDs and DVDs
If you have unwanted CD's or DVD's firstly try to take them to your local charity shop. Alternatively CD's 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 CD's 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.
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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, 247Kb) 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.
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.
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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 for a fee. 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 and Drayton recycling centres 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.
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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 up to six inches 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. 2 inch 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.
Do not place gas cylinders in your dustbin because they may explode if they are crushed.
We accept a small number of gas bottles from householders at any of our Waste Recycling Centres.
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
Other glass, for example, window glass or heat treated glass (eg Pyrex or visionware) are not accepted for recycling as they are made from different material to bottle glass. These melt at different temperatures to standard glass bottles, causing problems with the recycling process if mixed. We have investigated the possibility of recycling it but processors will not accept glass from Waste Recycling Centres due to contamination issues. Other glass can be put into the landfill bin at any of our Waste and Recycling Centres.
Your local district council may collect sheets or panes of glass as part of its bulky waste collection service. Follow your council's link at the top of this page to check.
Glasses
See spectacles below.
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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, 247Kb) 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.
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Mattresses
Mattresses can be taken to any of our waste recycling centres. Unfortunately due to the mix of materials within a mattress they cannot be recycled, so should be placed into one of the landfill containers on site. 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.
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.
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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
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 skips provided for recycling. Please note that you may be charged under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 247Kb) for DIY waste.
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
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
Some 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 the Waste Recycling Centres. These generally include plastic bottles and food containers (washed out). For more information, see this Recycling plastic containers factsheet (.pdf format, 57Kb).
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.
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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 which benefit from your old spectacles. Most opticians also collect old spectacles for donation to charity.
Soil
We accept small amounts of soil for re-use at the Waste Recycling Centres. Please note that you may be charged under our 1,2,3 for Free scheme (.pdf format, 247Kb) for DIY waste.
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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
At Redbridge Waste Recycling Centre, hand tools are collected by the charity Tools For Self Reliance. They will take building, carpentry and mechanics hand tools for re-use.
Orinoco - a charity that supplies paint, scrap materials and tools that they have sourced from businesses and rescued from the tip - will collect hand tools (not electrical tools). You can call them on 07960 661748. They also collect from Redbridge.
Toys
Your local charity shop, hospital or clinic could benefit from your unwanted good quality toys.
Trade waste - recycled
See the commercial waste section of our website.
Tyres
We accept up to five car tyres at any of our Household Waste Recycling Centres - from householders only. There is a charge of £2.50 per motorbike/car tyre, or £4 per oversized car/trailer tyre.
Please see our tyres charging leaflet (.pdf format, 229Kb) for more information.
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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.
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.
