We use cookies to collect information about how you use wiltshire.gov.uk. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve our services.
Help us achieve our goal of recycling more of Wiltshire's waste by putting your plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, drink cartons, cardboard, paper, tins and cans, into your blue-lidded bin or bag (keep items loose; don't put them inside each other, and never put them in a carrier bag inside your recycling bin or bag). Glass bottles and jars should go in your black box.
If you need additional recycling containers, you can request these using the online form (opens new window). You will need to create an account if you do not already have one.
What you can put in your blue-lidded bin
cardboard boxes should be broken down to fit inside the bin
brown paper
cereal boxes
corrugated cardboard
directories and catalogues
egg boxes
envelopes (no need to remove windows)
food packaging boxes and sleeves
frozen/chilled pizza boxes
greetings cards
newspapers and magazines
ready meal sleeves
shoe boxes
toilet and kitchen rolls
wrapping paper if it scrunches into a ball and doesn't bounce back (not the foil kind)
Remove all non-cardboard/paper packing such as bubble wrap or polystyrene. Keep recycling clean and dry. Wet cardboard may not be collected.
bleach bottles
cooking oil bottles
drinks bottles
hand wash bottles
juice or squash bottles
laundry liquid and fabric conditioner bottles
milk and yoghurt drink bottles
plastic food trays i.e. meat, fruit and vegetable trays (no black plastic or plastic film)
shampoo and conditioner bottles
upright 'pump' type toothpaste tubes
yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, ice cream tubs
washing up liquid bottles
Wash and squash bottles, and keep the lids on.
clean foil and trays
clean food tins
drinks cans
empty aerosols - make sure aerosols are depressurized (completely empty) otherwise they can explode when compacted
food and drink cartons
metal biscuit tins
Rinse out food cans and trays.
custard cartons
drink cartons
food cartons, e.g. passata, soup
milk cartons
Wash and squash all cartons.
Extra items that cannot fit in your blue-lidded bin may be presented beside the bin in a suitable container, such as a plastic storage box. To prevent paper and cardboard getting wet, these items should be inside the bin, but plastic and tin items and cartons can be presented next to the bin.
black plastic - plastics are sorted using laser technology that can identify different plastic types. Black plastics are difficult for the equipment to detect so these cannot be separated for recycling from other materials managed at the facility, so are rejected.
cardboard contaminated with foodstuff e.g. takeaway pizza boxes
plastic tubes (including toothpaste, hand cream tubes)
shredded paper
coffee pods
What you can put in your black box
clean glass bottles (leave the lids on)
clean glass jars (leave the lids on)
If it is full, you can put any extra glass into a separate, open carrier bag (not a black bag) and place it next to your black box. If you frequently find you have extra recycling, you can order a second black box.
flat glass
Pyrex or any oven proof cookware
light bulbs
What can you put out for recycling next to/on top of the blue-lidded bin
Battery collection for small batteries are also collected alongside your kerbside recycling collection every fortnight. These should be presented in a sealed clear sandwich bag, on top of your blue-lidded recycling bin (not inside the bin).
Small rechargeable electricals collections are also carried out alongside your kerbside recycling collection every fortnight. These should be presented in a carrier bag next to your blue-lidded recycling bin (not inside the bin).
The small rechargeable electrical items we can collect include:
MP3 players
Electric toothbrushes
Shavers/trimmers
All vapes and e-cigarettes
Smart watches
Mobile phones
Digital cameras
Charging devices/power banks
Wireless earphones
These items should be no bigger than a typical shoe box.
Many items, including clean plastics such as plant pots, packaging and rigid plastics including toys and garden furniture, can be recycled at your local household recycling centre.
If textiles and shoes are in good condition, please consider donating them to charity as it helps them to raise funds. Textiles are also accepted at our household recycling centres.
Other items
At the household recycling centres we can take used cooking oil, batteries, mobile phones, glasses, CDs, DVDs and more - the list is long. You can see a full list on the household recycling centre page.
Many supermarkets have collection points for batteries and plastic bags, or you could check if there are drop off points for other materials at TerraCycle (opens new window).
Pool accessories such as goggles, floats, armbands and swim caps can currently be recycled at four swimming pools across Wiltshire (Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre in Salisbury, the Olympiad Leisure Centre in Chippenham, Trowbridge Sports Centre and The Vale Community Campus in Pewsey.) See Recycle the unrecyclable at your local swimming pool!.
Need help putting your bin out?
If you find it difficult to put out your rubbish and recycling bins or bags, you can apply online for an assisted collection.
