Recycling directory

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 | ?

A

Aerosols

Metal aerosol cans like deodorant or spray paint can be recycled by putting them into your blue lid recycling bin. Make sure they're completely empty before you recycle them.

Aluminium cans

You can put food and drink cans in your blue lid recycling bin.

Asbestos

You can take asbestos to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, but there are specific rules about how to package asbestos waste. When you arrive at the site, please report to a member of staff who will help you to dispose of the waste.

B

Baby goods

Good quality baby goods can be sold privately or donated to your local charity shop. Alternatively, you could donate them to the White Feather Project.

Batteries

Car batteries can be taken to garages, scrap metal facilities, or the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Normal household batteries contain heavy metals and are extremely toxic to the environment. Do not put them in your bin. Batteries can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, or you can use the Recycle Now website to find your nearest battery recycling point.

Top tip: If possible, buy items that use rechargeable batteries. When these lose their efficiency, some manufacturers will take them back for recycling. Make sure you send the batteries back to the right manufacturer.

Bedding and blankets

Good quality old bedding or blankets can be donated to your local charity shop.

Bicycles

Old bicycles can be donated to Middlesbrough Bike Library at Middlesbrough Cycle Centre, or sold privately. Alternatively, you can take your bike to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Birthday cards

Most cards are paper-based and can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Make sure you remove any embellishments like ribbons and glitter, and batteries from musical cards.

Biscuit/chocolate tins

Metal packaging is widely recycled. Add your biscuit and chocolate tins to your blue lid recycling bin.

Blister packaging

Blister and plaster packaging cannot be recycled, please put them into your black refuse bin.

Black sacks/cling film/bubble wrap

Black sacks/cling film/bubble wrap cannot be recycled. Put them in your black refuse bin.

Books

Old books can be sold privately or donated to a local charity.

Bottles and jars

Bottles and jars can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Make sure they’re empty and rinsed, and put the lids/caps back on so they do not get lost during the sorting process, as they can be recycled separately later.

Bridal and prom clothing

Bridal and prom clothing can be sold privately or donated to a charity shop.

Bubble wrap

Bubble wrap can be recycled along with plastic film and carrier bags at supermarkets. Check with your local supermarket first before leaving bubble wrap at the recycling point.

Building materials

Rubble and other waste from home improvements can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Please note, the HWRC is only open to members of the public, not to businesses. Businesses must make arrangements to dispose of their waste.

C

Cans

Cans are widely recycled and can be added to your blue lid recycling bin. The metal they’re made from can be endlessly recycled so it’s important to save them rather than throwing them away. Make extra space in your bin by flattening your cans.

Cardboard

Cardboard can be recycled by putting it in your blue lid recycling bin.

You can also take cardboard to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, or put small amounts in a compost bin at home.

Cars

If you have an old car, it's your responsibility to dispose of it correctly. Money Helper has useful information on disposing of an old car.

If the vehicle is drivable you can take it to Autotune at Lamport Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 5QL. You need to hand in the car keys along with the vehicle registration document.

Cartons

Food and drink cartons can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Include the plastic tops and straws as these will be removed and recycled later. Make extra space in your bin by squashing the cartons flat.

CDs

Old CDs and DVDs can be donated to charity shops or traded in at second-hand electronics shops. 

Chemicals

Chemicals need to be disposed of safely and correctly. For information on correct disposal call the manufacturer of the product or the Environment Agency (03708 506 506). Some chemicals like pesticides, creosote, and paint can be disposed of at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Chest freezers

Some shops will recycle white goods when they deliver you a new one, especially larger items like chest freezers. Alternatively you can book a bulky waste collection online and we’ll pick the item up from outside your house.

Christmas cards

After Christmas various charities and shops will collect old Christmas cards. Try outlets such as WHSmith, T.K. Maxx, Tesco and the Post Office. You can also place non-glittery cards in your recycling bin.

Christmas tree lights

Any items that have a plug, use batteries, need charging, or have a picture of a crossed-out wheelie bin on them will need to be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre. This includes Christmas tree lights or fairy lights.

Christmas trees

These can be recycled by taking them to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Clingfilm

Clingfilm cannot currently be recycled and needs to go in your black refuse bin.

Clothing and textiles

There are lots of options to recycle clothing and textiles. If the clothes are in a good state and can be re-worn, donate them to a local charity shop or clothing bank. You could also consider selling them online through a platform like Facebook Marketplace, Depop, or Vinted.

If the clothes are not in a state to be worn again, you can recycle them at textile recycling points in supermarkets and car parks. Some high street retailers offer clothing donation banks in store too - check with your local retailers before dropping off.

Clothes hangers

If you’ve got too many to fit in your wardrobe, you could consider donating them to a local charity shop. If they’re broken, you can recycle the various parts at the Household Waste Recycling Centre, for example, wood, plastic, and metal.

Coins

Old British or foreign coins can be donated to the RNIB, call 0845 345 0054 for more details. Coins can also be taken to any Oxfam shop.

Computers

When you buy your new computer, ask the manufacturer or shop if they accept old computers for recycling. Alternatively, try selling it privately, or donating it to a friend or family member.

If you cannot find a new home for your old computer, you can take it to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Make sure you permanently delete all the files and programmes on your hard drive, and remove all your personal data to reduce the risk of it being used by someone else. The Information Commissioner’s Office has information about deleting data from your personal devices.

Computer monitors

Computer monitors and TV screens contain dangerous chemicals like mercury, and must be disposed of safely. Unwanted screens and monitors can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Alternatively, you can book a bulky waste collection online and we’ll pick the item up from outside your house.

Crisp packets

Crisp packets cannot currently be recycled. They will need to go in your black refuse waste bin.

Cooking oil

Cooking oil and fat should not be poured down your sink as it can cause blockages.
Top tip: if you’ve got extra oil in your pan or cooking tin, soak it up with kitchen roll first before putting it into the sink, then throw this into your black refuse bin.

Curtains

Curtains in good condition can be sold privately or donated to a local charity shop.

D

Dishwashers

Some shops will recycle white goods when they deliver you a new one, especially larger items like dish washers. Alternatively you can book a bulky waste collection online and we’ll pick the item up from outside your house.

Drinks cans

Cans are widely recycled and can be added to your blue lid recycling bin. The metal they’re made from can be endlessly recycled so it’s important to save them rather than throwing them away. Make extra space in your bin by flattening your cans.

Drink cartons

Food and drink cartons can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Include plastic tops and straws as these will be removed and recycled later. Make extra space in your bin by squashing them flat.

DVDs

Old CDs and DVDs can be donated to charity shops.

E

Egg shells

If you have a compost bin you can add egg shells to it. We’ve teamed up with Get Composting to offer lower prices on home compost bins. Enter your postcode on the Get Composting website to see the items which are available.

Electrical appliances

If you need to get rid of a large appliance like a fridge, freezer, or washing machine, you can book a bulky waste collection online and we’ll pick the item up from outside your house.

Alternatively, you can take them to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, or if they're in good working order, you may be able to have them collected by British Heart Foundation.

Energy efficient light bulbs

Energy efficient bulbs can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Older style bulbs cannot be recycled and will need to go in your black refuse bin.
Did you know? Energy efficient bulbs can save you money, help the environment, and also reduce the amount of waste you make, as you do not need to replace them as often.

Engine and cooking oil

Engine and cooking oil can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Envelopes

You can reuse an envelope by placing a sticker over the current address and writing the new address on the label. Otherwise you could compost envelopes, or place them in your blue lid recycling bin.

F

Fluorescent light tubes

Fluorescent light tubes can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Foil

Foil is widely recycled and can be added to your blue lid recycling bin. Rinse or wipe off crumbs or food residue from foil trays, and dunk them in the washing up water to clean them.
Top tip: scrunch kitchen foil, tub and pot lids and wrappers together into a ball - the bigger the ball, the easier it is to recycle.

Food and drink cans

Cans are widely recycled and can be added to your blue lid recycling bin. The metal they’re made from can be endlessly recycled so it’s important to save them rather than throwing them away. Make extra space in your bin by flattening your cans.

Food and drink cartons

Food and drink cartons can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Include plastic tops and straws as these will be removed and recycled later. Make extra space in your bin by squashing them flat.

Food and drink pouches

Food pouches like from coffee, pet food, or baby food cannot be recycled and should go in your black refuse bin.

Food waste

We do not offer food waste recycling in Middlesbrough. You can compost food waste at home. We’ve teamed up with Get Composting to offer lower prices on home compost bins. Enter your postcode on the Get Composting website to see the items which are available.

Alternatively you could try recipe ideas from websites like Love Food Hate Waste, which offers practical ways to avoid food waste and use up leftovers.

Fridges and freezers

Some shops will recycle white goods when they deliver you a new one, especially larger items like fridges and freezers. Alternatively you can book a bulky waste collection online and we’ll pick the item up from outside your house.

Furniture

Unwanted furniture can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. The furniture will be graded, repaired, and sold by a local charity. Alternatively, you can book a bulky waste collection online and we’ll pick the item up from outside your house.

You can also donate your furniture to charity:

• Frade - visit the Frade website to find out more about collections
• Teesside Hospice - book a furniture collection on the Teesside Hospice website
• British Heart Foundation - book a furniture collection on the British Heart Foundation website

You can also sell furniture privately.

G

Games (computer/console)

Unwanted games can be donated to charity shops or traded in at second-hand electronics shops.

Games (toys)

If your toys are in good working order you could consider donating them to charity, a local church or playgroup, or a toy library. If they’re beyond repair, you can take them to the Household Waste Recycling Centre and put them in the non-recyclable container.

Garden waste

Garden waste collected in your green collection will be composted.

You can also compost your garden waste at home. We’ve teamed up with Get Composting to offer lower prices on home compost bins. Enter your postcode on the Get Composting website to see the items which are available.

If you do not have much space, you could try buying a wormery, which uses worms to break down your waste.

Gas cylinders

Do not put gas cylinders in your blue lid recycling bin. You should return gas cylinders to the company whose name is on the cylinder. You can find out more about returning gas cylinders on the Liquid Gas UK website.

Gas canisters can also be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Glass bottles and jars

Glass bottles or jars should be rinsed out and placed in your blue lid recycling bin.

They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Glasses (spectacles)

You cannot put old glasses in your recycling bin. You may be able to donate them to charity, or give them to your optician.

Greetings cards

Most cards are paper-based and can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Make sure you remove any embellishments like ribbons and glitter, and batteries from musical cards.

H

Hairdryers and hair straighteners

Any items that have a plug, use batteries, need charging, or have a picture of a crossed-out wheelie bin on them will need to be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Hearing aids

You may be able to find hearing aid collection points in doctors surgeries or hospitals, or donate the hearing aid to charity.

I

Inhalers

All used inhalers need to be returned to a pharmacy to be disposed of safely. Speak to your pharmacist for more information.

Inkjet printer cartridges

Some charities may collect inkjet cartridges. You could also try refilling your empty cartridges. Which Computing has a helpful guide to refilling printer ink cartridges.

Irons

Any items that have a plug, use batteries, need charging, or have a picture of a crossed-out wheelie bin on them will need to be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

J

Jars

Jars can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Make sure they’re empty and rinsed, and leave the lids/caps on to stop them getting lost during the sorting process, as they can be recycled separately later.

Junk mail

Junk mail includes things like flyers, takeaway menus, and free magazines and newspapers. Paper is widely recycled and these items can be added to your blue lid recycling bin. Make sure to remove any plastic wrapping first.

You can sign up to the Mail Preference Service to be taken off junk mailing lists. You can also apply to stop deliveries of unaddressed mail by the Royal Mail.

K

Kettles

Any items that have a plug, use batteries, need charging, or have a picture of a crossed-out wheelie bin on them will need to be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Kitchen foil

Foil is widely recycled and can be added to your blue lid recycling bin. Rinse or wipe off crumbs or food residue from foil trays, and dunk them in the washing up water to clean them.
Top tip: scrunch kitchen foil, tub and pot lids, and wrappers together into a ball - the bigger the ball, the easier it is to recycle.

Kitchen roll

You can recycle the cardboard inner roll in your blue lid recycling bin. Used sheets of kitchen roll need to go into your black refuse bin.

L

Laptops

Laptops can usually be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Make sure you permanently delete all the files and programmes on your hard drive, and remove all your personal data to reduce the risk of it being used by someone else. The Information Commissioner’s Office has information about deleting data from your personal devices.

Light bulbs

Energy efficient bulbs can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Old-style bulbs are not recyclable and need to go in your black refuse bin.

M

Magazines

Paper is widely recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Make sure to remove any plastic wrapping first.

Mattresses

You can book a free mattress collection by calling 01642 726001. We can collect a maximum of 3 mattresses per property. Please wrap your mattress in polythene or plastic so our crews can handle it safely.

Medicine

Any unneeded and unused medication can be taken to your local pharmacy to be disposed of safely.

Metal

Scrap metal can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Milk bottles

Plastic milk bottles are widely recycled and can be put in your blue lid recycling bin. Rinse and squash them to make more room, and keep the lid on as it’ll be removed and recycled later in the sorting process.

You should return glass milk bottles to your milk delivery person.

N

Nappies

You cannot put disposable nappies in your blue lid recycling bin. They must go in your black refuse bin.
Top tip: Disposable nappies take hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill, so why not try reusable nappies?

Needles

If you find any needles or syringes, do not touch them or attempt to clear them away. You can report discarded needles online and we'll remove them safely if they're on council-owned land, like roads, footpaths, or parks. We do not clear needles from private homes or gardens.

Newspapers

Paper is widely recycled and can be added to your blue lid recycling bin. Make sure to remove any plastic wrapping first.

O

Ovens

Some shops will recycle white goods when they deliver you a new one, especially larger items like ovens. Alternatively you can book a bulky waste collection online and we’ll pick the item up from outside your house.

P

Paint

Unused paint can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Paper

Newspaper, magazines, catalogues, Yellow Pages, and junk mail can all be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Alternatively you can take your paper to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Paper coffee cups

Paper coffee cups cannot currently be recycled. Some high street coffee shops are accepting used cups for recycling, but check with the shop before trying to return to them.
Top tip: invest in a reusable coffee cup to help reduce waste. There’s a wide range available, and some of our local independent stores also sell them, so you can support the local economy and help save the planet!

Paper towels

You can recycle the cardboard inner roll in your blue lid recycling bin. Used sheets of paper towel need to go into your black refuse bin.

Pet food pouches

Food pouches like from coffee, pet food, or baby food cannot be recycled and should go in your black refuse bin.

Phones (smartphones and mobile phones)

Many charities recycle unwanted phones, including Oxfam and the Red Cross. Contact your chosen charity for more information. Alternatively, you could sell your phone privately or trade it in at a second-hand electronics store.

Make sure you permanently delete all the files and apps on your phone, and remove all your personal data to reduce the risk of it being used by someone else. Your phone manufacturer's website should tell you how to do this.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has information about deleting data from your personal devices.

Pizza boxes

Pizza boxes cannot currently be recycled. Flatten them and add them to your black refuse bin.

Plastic bags (carrier bags)

You cannot recycle plastic bags in your blue lid recycling bin, but some supermarkets offer plastic bag recycling facilities. You can check the Recycle Now website to find your nearest plastic bag recycling point.

Top tip: take your own plastic or reusable fabric bags shopping with you. This is better for the environment and also means you will not get charged for a plastic bag. Alternatively, 'bag for life' is a scheme where you can pay a small amount for a large and durable plastic bag from a shop or supermarket. If this bag gets damaged and is no longer usable, you can get it replaced free of charge and the old one will be recycled.

Please note, carrier bags should not be used in your blue lid recycling bin. Recyclable items should go into your bin un-bagged.

Plastic bottles

Plastic bottles can be placed in your blue lid recycling bin.

Plastic plant pots

Plant pots cannot currently be recycled.
Top tip: rinse them out at the end of each growing season and use them year after year. Any that are broken or not usable will need to go in your black refuse bin.

Plastic sticky tape/sellotape

Sticky tape cannot be recycled and needs to be added to your black refuse bin. Where possible you should try to remove all loose strands of sticky tape from cardboard boxes and wrapping paper before you recycle them.
Top tip: buy paper tape as an alternative - just search online to find it.

Plastic yoghurt pots

Yoghurt pots can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Rinse them out and add them in for your next collection day.

Polystyrene foam

Polystyrene foam cannot go in your blue lid recycling bin. Any polystyrene foam packaging (used to pack items like electricals), or takeaway food cartons (used for chips, burgers, etc.), should go in your black refuse bin.

Postcards

Some charities collect old postcards which are sold on to collectors to raise money. You may also be able to remove the stamps from used postcards and donate these to charity. Just search online to find out which charities collect stamps.

Pyrex

Although Pyrex ovenware is a type of glass, it has been treated to withstand high temperatures which makes it non-recyclable. If you have chipped or broken Pyrex you’ll need to put it in your black refuse bin.

S

Scrap metal

Scrap metal can be disposed of at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Shampoo bottles

Plastic bottles can be added to your blue lid recycling bin. Rinse and squash the bottles to make more space in your bin. Glass shampoo bottles can also be recycled, rinse them and add them to your blue lid recycling bin.

Shoes

If the shoes are in a good state and can be re-worn, donate them to a local charity shop or clothing bank. You could also consider selling them online through a platform like Facebook Marketplace, Depop, or Vinted. Some high street retailers offer clothing donation banks in store too - check with your local retailers before dropping off.

If the shoes are not in a state to be worn again, you can recycle them at some supermarkets. You can check the Recycle Now website for places you can take your shoes to be recycled.

Shredded paper

Paper which has been shredded can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Different rules apply if the shredded paper is business waste. Find out more about getting rid of business waste.

Sofas/settees

You can book a bulky waste collection online and we’ll pick the item up from outside your house.

Stamps

Several charities collect used stamps, including RNIB, Against Breast Cancer, Amnesty International, Oxfam, RSPCA, and RSPB. You can find lots more by searching online.

Straws

Straws are made of either paper or plastic. Because they’re so small it’s unlikely they will be recycled as they can fall out during the process to remove small items of contamination from recyclable items.
Top tip: if you cannot avoid straws altogether, there are lots of reusable options available, including metal and bamboo, and you can even buy a straw cleaning brush to keep them extra clean!

T

Tablets (computers)/eReaders

You could sell your tablet or eReader privately or trade it in at a second-hand electronics store.

Make sure you permanently delete all the files and apps on your tablet, log out of all your accounts, and remove all your personal data to reduce the risk of it being used by someone else. Your tablet manufacturer's website should tell you how to do this.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has information about deleting data from your personal devices.

Takeaway pizza boxes/fish and chip shop wrapping/takeaway food containers

You cannot put pizza boxes, fish and chip wrappings, or takeaway food containers in your blue lid recycling bin, because they contain the remains of food waste. Put them in your black refuse bin.

Tea bags

If you have a home composting bin, you can put your tea bags in. Some brands may still use a small amount of plastic to stop the tea bag falling apart when you pour hot water on it, so you might need to sieve this out of your compost when it’s ready.

Alternatively, break open the tea bag and add the tea leaves to your home compost, then throw the outer into your black refuse bin.

Telephone directories

Telephone directories can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin.

Textiles and clothing

There are lots of options to recycle textiles and clothing. If the clothes are in a good state and can be re-worn, donate them to a local charity shop or clothing bank. You could also consider selling them online through a platform like Facebook Marketplace, Depop, or Vinted.

If the clothes are not in a state to be worn again, you can recycle them at textile recycling points in supermarkets and car parks. Some high street retailers offer clothing donation banks in store too - check with your local retailers before dropping off.

Toner cartridges

Several charities collect and recycle toner cartridges. Check the charity's website for more information. Cartridges can also be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Toothpaste tubes

Most toothpaste tubes cannot be recycled because of the materials used to keep the contents fresh. Some brands have recently introduced recyclable tubes which you can find in supermarkets and high street pharmacies.

Pump action toothpaste tubes can be recycled and can go in your blue lid recycling bin.

Toys

If your toys are in good working order you could consider donating them to charity, a local church or playgroup, or a toy library. If they’re beyond repair, you can take them to the Household Waste Recycling Centre and put them in the non-recyclable container.

Tyres

Car tyres can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. If you're getting new tyres fitted, the garage may be able to dispose of your old tyres for you.

TV screens and computer monitors

Computer monitors and TV screens contain dangerous chemicals like mercury, and must be disposed of safely. Unwanted screens and monitors can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. Alternatively, you can book a bulky waste collection online and we’ll pick the item up from outside your house.

V

Vacuum cleaners

Any items that have a plug, use batteries, need charging, or have a picture of a crossed-out wheelie bin on them will need to be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

W

Washing machines and dryers

Some shops will recycle white goods when they deliver you a new one, especially larger items like washing machines and tumble dryers. Alternatively you can book a bulky waste collection online and we’ll pick the item up from outside your house.

Wet wipes

Wet wipes, baby wipes, cosmetic wipes, and bathroom cleaning wipes are not recyclable and must go in your black refuse bin. You cannot flush wipes down the toilet as they create blockages. Always throw them away in your black refuse bin.

Wine bottles

Bottles and jars can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Make sure they’re empty and rinsed, and put the lids/caps back on so they do not get lost during the sorting process, as they can be recycled separately later on.

Wood/timber

Old wood can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Y

Yoghurt pots

Yoghurt pots can be recycled in your blue lid recycling bin. Rinse them out and add them in for your next collection day.

?

If there's anything we've not mentioned here, check out the Recycle Now website for more information about what can and cannot be recycled.