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A to Z of recycling

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Aerosols (metal)

Do not squash or pierce aerosols – they can explode. Aerosols can be recycled via:

 

Aluminium (metal)

These can be recycled via:

 

Bags (plastic carrier)

These can be used to contain additional recycling or be recycled via:

 

Bags (council-provided Blue or White plastic)

These can only be used for mixed containers and not paper and card:

 

Bathroom fittings and furniture

 

Batteries - car (electrical)

These are classed as WEEE and can be recycled via:

 

Batteries - all other types (electrical)

These are classed as WEEE and includes nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries, can be recycled via:

 

Beds

 

Boilers (metal)

These can be recycled via:

 

Books (paper and card)

These can either be donated to charity shops or recycled via:

 

Bottles and jars (glass)

Glass bottles and jars (please remove the caps and lids) can be recycled via:

 

Bottles (plastic)

These can be recycled via:

 

Branches and twigs (garden waste)

With a diameter of no more than 5cm (2inches), these can be recycled via:

 

Brass (metal)

All unwanted metal can be recycled via:

Bricks and building rubble

These can be recycled via: 

 

Brochures (paper)

These can be recycled via:

 

Brown reusable bags

Brown reusable bags are used for the kerbside collection of garden waste only.

 

Brown wheelie bin

Brown wheelie bins are used for the kerbside collection of garden and food waste.

 

Bubble wrap

This cannot be currently be recycled, although can be used again for posting or to wrap valuable items for storage.

 

Bulky items

Some bulky items can be reused or recycled. This information can be found via:

 

Caddy liners

Can be purchased from most larger and some smaller retailers. Or you could visit our dedicated web page at:

 

Cans (metal)

These can be recycled via:

 

Cardboard

These can be recycled via:

 

Cards (paper)

These can be recycled via:

 

Carpets

These can be taken to, or collected by:

 

Carrier bags (plastic)

These can be recycled via:

 

 

Cars and car parts

Unwanted vehicles can be surrendered via:

Car parts (metal/plastic/glass) can be taken to:

 

Catalogues

These can be recycled via:

 

Cat litter

This can be disposed of via:

 

CDs and DVDs 

These can be donated to a charity organisation or recycled via:

 

Cereal boxes

These can be recycled via:

 

Chemicals – household/garden

These can be taken to the Cuxton household waste and recycling centre only (please see the staff at the site first).

 

Christmas trees

Can be recycled via:

 

Clinical waste

Visit our clinical waste page for more information.

 

Clothing

Can be recycled via:

 

Compostable liners

Can be purchased from most larger and some smaller retailers, alternatively, you could visit our dedicated web page at:

 

Composting

For more information, please visit our information on:

 

Computers and monitors (electrical)

These are classed as WEEE and can be reused or recycled via:

 

Cooking fat (oil)

Can be recycled via:

  • Household Waste Recycling Sites
  • If you are unable to take your used fat to any of the Household Waste Recycling Sites, try putting it in a sealed container, adding bird seed to it, leaving to solidify, and using it as a bird feeder
  • If you do want to just dispose of it, put it in a sealed container and allow to cool, and then into your normal rubbish bin
  • Do not pour fat down the drain as this can cause blockages in your own pipes and in the main sewerage system.

 

Copper (metal)

Can be recycled via:

 

Cork

Can be disposed of via:

 

Directories (paper)

Can be recycled via:

 

Disposable nappies

Can be disposed of via:

 

You can save money and help the environment by using washable cloth nappies. For more information visit the reusable nappies page.

 

Dog and cat faeces

Can be disposed of via:

 

Drain pipes

Can be disposed of via:

 

Drinks bottles and cans

Glass – can be recycled via:

 

Plastic – can be recycled via:

 

Dump (tip)

Medway has three sites where a wide range of items can be taken to be recycled, reused or disposed of. For more information on the materials accepted, locations and opening times, please visit the:

 

Duvets and pillows

In good condition, can be donated to charity organisations, or disposed of via:

 

DVDs and CDs 

These can be donated to a charity organisation or recycled via:

Egg boxes

Cardboard boxes can be recycled via:

 

Plastic boxes can be recycled via:

 

Egg shells

Can be recycled via:

 

Electrical items

Are classed as WEEE, should not be placed in with black bag rubbish and can be recycled via:

 

Energy saving light bulbs

Are classed as WEEE and can only currently be recycled via:

 

Engine oil

Can be recycled via:

 

Envelopes

Can be recycled via:

 

Fabrics (textiles)

Can be recycled via:

 

Fat - see cooking

 

Fax paper

Can be recycled via:

 

Fizzy drink bottles (glass or plastic)

You can rinse and squash them, if plastic, to help provide better containment, then recycled via:

 

Flats and estates

If you live in a block of flats and use bulk containers, please continue to recycle using your existing system. Over the next six months, new containers and further information will be delivered to each block of flats. Please bear with us while we make these changes. Until then, keep your reusable bags safe, or use them to transfer your recyclables to your bin store. If your flats don't have large recycling containers in your bin store area, contact us using the contact details below for further information on how you can recycle.

 

Foil (metal)

Clean foil can be recycled via:

 

Food waste

Can be recycled via:

 

Fridges and freezers (electrical)

Are classed as WEEE and can be recycled via:

 

 

Furniture

Some items can be donated to a charity organisation, recycled or disposed of via:

 

Garden furniture

Can be disposed of via:

 

Garden waste (non-food)

Can be recycled via:

 

Gas cylinders

Can be recycled via:

Please ask a member of site staff on arrival

 

Gift wrap (paper)

Can be recycled via:

Please avoid metallic or plastic wrapping as these cannot be recycled.

 

Glass (from mirrors and windows)

Glass from mirrors and windows cannot be recycled. This type of glass differs from that used in bottles and jars, and currently cannot be processed by the UK recycling industry. Please be considerate when disposing of it via:

 

Glass bottles and jars

Can be recycled via:

 

Glasses

You can donate them to a range of charities at most opticians.

 

Grass cuttings

Can be recycled via:

 

Greeting cards (paper)

Can be recycled via:

 

Hardcore (bricks/rubble)

Can be recycled via:

 

Hazardous waste

Chemicals, either identified or unidentified:

Asbestos:

 

Herbicides (chemicals)

These can be taken to the Cuxton household waste and recycling centre only (please see the staff at the site first).

 

Household cleaners (chemicals)

These can be taken to the Cuxton household waste and recycling centre only (please see the staff at the site first).

 

Household plastic packaging

Consisting of pots, tubs, trays and bottles, can be recycled via:

 

Hypodermic needles

Can be disposed via:

Also see clinical waste service

 

Inkjet cartridges

Can be recycled by downloading a freepost label:

Jars (glass)

Can be recycled via:

 

Juice bottles (plastic/glass)

Can be recycled via:

 

Juice cartons

There are currently five locations in Medway where special recycling banks have been provided for drinks cartons (such as 'Tetra Paks'):

 

Junk mail (paper)

Can be recycled via:

You can reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by:

 

Kitchen foil (metal)

Clean metal foil can be recycled via:

 

Kitchen towels (paper)

If clean, be recycled via:

If contaminated by food waste:

Remember to choose recycled paper products wherever possible

 

Kitchen waste (food/bones etc)

Can be recycled via:

 

Leaves

Can be recycled via:

 

Light bulbs (electrical)

Traditional light bulbs can not be recycled. Please dispose of these via:

Energy saving light bulbs are classed as WEEE and can be recycled via:

 

Loo rolls (paper)

Can be recycled via:

Remember to choose recycled paper products wherever possible

 

Magazines (paper)

Can be recycled via:

 

Margarine tubs (plastic)

Can be recycled via:

 

Mattresses

Can be recycled at via:

Some items can be donated to a charity organisation, or disposed of via:

 

Metal

Food and drink cans, can be recycled via:

Other scrap metal can be recycled via:

 

Milk bottles (plastic/glass)

Can be recycled via:

 

Mirrors (glass)

Glass from mirrors and windows cannot be recycled. This type of glass differs from that used in bottles and jars, and currently cannot be processed by the UK recycling industry. Please be considerate when disposing of it via:

 

Missed recycling collections

If your recycling was put out on time and in the correct place then please report the missed collection within 24 hours to us so that we can come back to clear it. Please contact our Customer First team on 01634 333333.

 

Mobile phones (electrical)

Are classed as WEEE and can be donated to a charity or recycled via:

 

Nappies

Can be disposed of via:

 

You can save money and help the environment by using washable cloth nappies. For more information visit the reusable nappies page

 

Needles (hypodermic)

Can be disposed via:

 

Newspapers (paper)

Can be recycled via:

 

Oil (engine/cooking)

Can be recycled in separate containers via:

 

 

Packaging

Consisting of pots, tubs, trays and bottles, can be recycled via:

Other types of packaging should be disposed of via:

 

Paint

Can be taken to:

Please ask a member of staff once on site.

 

Paper

Can be recycled via:

 

Pesticides

These can be taken to the Cuxton household waste and recycling centre only (please see the staff at the site first).

Pet food

Can be recycled via:

Or disposed of via:

 

Petrol

This cannot be disposed of at any of the household waste recycling sites and should only be disposed of by a specialist licensed company like Eco-Oil ltd.

 

Plastic

Consisting of pots, tubs, trays and bottles, can be recycled via:

Hard plastics, such as garden furniture, children's toys, drain pipes and flower pots can be disposed of via:

 

Plastic carrier bags

Can be recycled via:

Plastic carrier bags can also be recycled at some supermarkets.

Try to avoid plastic bags by using a 'bag for life' or cloth/canvas bag when you go shopping

 

Plastic bottles

Can be recycled via:

 

Polystyrene

Polystyrene cannot currently be recycled and should be disposed of via:

As there is a cost factor associated with any sort process, to add a material like Polystyrene into it, which currently has no fixed market, it makes sense to not include it, helping to keep ever-growing costs down. With our contractors Veolia and WRG, we are constantly looking for new developments and technologies, but until we can identify a secure, cost effective market, we cannot include polystyrene. 

 

Printer cartridges

Can be recycled by downloading a freepost label:

 

'Pyrex' dishes

This type of glass differs from that used in bottles and jars, and currently cannot be processed by the UK recycling industry. Please be considerate when disposing of it via:

 

Questions

If you have any questions you would like addressing, please make contact via:

Phone: 01634 333333

Email: info@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Medway Council, Civic Headquarters, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

 

Radiators (metal)

Can be recycled via:

 

Real nappies

You can save money and help the environment by using washable cloth nappies. For more information visit the reusable nappies page

 

Rubble

Household rubble can be recycled via:

 

Schools recycling

Please contact:

Phone: 01634 333333

Email: info@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Medway Council, Civic Headquarters, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

 

Shoes

Can be donated directly to a charity organisation or recycled via:

 

Shopping bags (plastic)

Can be recycled via:

 

Shredded paper

  • You can cut down the amount you have by only shredding paper that carries data such as Bank and National insurance details. Names and addresses can be found in phone books and on envelopes, so is not generally regarded as sensitive information.
  • You could always tear off the part with bank details etc, and only shred that part, then place it in an envelope or two for recycling.
  • If you have a brown wheelie bin for garden waste, you can place it loose in there with the garden/food waste. 
  • You can compost it in a discounted home compost bin   
  • You can also help cut down the amount of information you get with your name and address on it by registering with the Mail Preference Service.

Spectacles and sunglasses

You can donate them to a range of charities at most opticians.

 

Styrofoam (polystyrene)

Polystyrene cannot currently be recycled and should be disposed of via:

As there is a cost factor associated with any sort process, to add a material like Polystyrene into it, which currently has no fixed market, it makes sense to not include it, helping to keep ever-growing costs down. With our contractors Veolia and WRG, we are constantly looking for new developments and technologies, but until we can identify a secure, cost effective market, we cannot include polystyrene

 

Takeaway food containers

Paper – if contaminated with food waste:

Paper if clean:

Polystyrene – Go to polystyrene

 

Tapes (Video and Audio)

Can be donated directly to a charity organisation or recycled via:

 

Telephone directories (paper)

Can be recycled via:

 

Televisions and monitors (electrical)

Are classed as WEEE and can be recycled via:

 

'Tetra Pak' style cartons

There are currently five locations in Medway where special recycling banks have been provided for drinks cartons (such as 'Tetra Paks'):

 

Textiles

Can be donated directly to a charity organisation or recycled via:

 

Tiles

Can be recycled via:

 

Timber and wood

Can be taken to:

 

Tin cans (metal)

Can be recycled via:

 

Toilet paper (paper/card)

Can be recycled via:

 

Tyres

These can be taken to the Capstone household waste and recycling centre only (please see the staff at the site first).

Unaddressed mail (paper)

You can reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by:

 

Vegetable peelings (food waste)

Can be recycled via:

 

Videos and Audio cassettes

Can be donated directly to a charity organisation or recycled via:

 

Washing up liquid bottles (plastic)

Can be recycled via:

 

Water filters

Find a list of locations where BRITA filters can be deposited.
All others can be disposed of via:

 

Wrapping paper

Wrapping paper has come a long way, but while today's foil wrapping paper and plastic-based wrapping paper make gifts look good, it causes problems for the recycling processes. Because it’s not just paper, we are unable to recycle it.

  • It may contain sticky tape, which cannot be recycled
  • It could be dyed and contain additives; for example, glitter or plastics.
  • It is very thin paper and doesn’t contain enough good quality fibres to be recycled. Pure paper gift wrap (instead of foil) is much better for the environment as it can be recycled in your blue reusable bag, but ensure sticky tape, ribbons and tags are removed.

 

White reusable kerbside bag

Xylophones (and other musical instruments)

Can be donated directly to a charity organisation or recycled via:

 

Yellow Pages (paper)

Can be recycled via:

 

Yoghurt pots (plastic)

Can be recycled via:

 

Zimmer frames (metal)

Having struggled to find a "z", can be donated to a charity organisation, or recycled via:

 

For more information contact Customer First by telephone: 01634 333333 or by email: customer.first@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Customer First, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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