Types of rubbish and recycling bins

Green or black box: glass, cans and plastic 

We collect glass, cans and plastics in either a green bin, or a black box depending on where you live.

• all types/colours of glass bottled and jars
• all metal food cans and pet food cans (steel or aluminium)
• metal aerosol cans
• plastic screw top bottles (including cleaning products) - please remove the tops and put them in the bag too
• yoghurt pots and food trays

Items we do not collect:

• broken glass, panes of glass, glass cooking pots, drinking glasses
• light bulbs
• plastic film (cling film type)
• toothpaste tubes
• Tetrapaks (they can't be recycled)
• paint pots
• chemicals
• explosives
• batteries
• ink cartridges

Blue lidded wheel bin or green hessian sack: paper and card recycling

Blue lidded wheelie bins or green hessian sacks are used to collect paper and card and are collected every four weeks.

We can collect:

• any clean, dry paper or card
• envelopes
• leaflets
• newspapers

We cannot collect:

• Tetrapaks cannot be recycled using our kerb-side recycling service
• waxy paper
• films or plastic

If your property has boxes or bags for recycling and you live in the former Carlisle area, these would be changed to recycling bins from May 2026.

Bag one: paper and card

We collect:

• paper
• newspaper
• greeting cards
• magazines and catalogues
• cereal boxes
• egg boxes
• other cardboard containers (please flatten any large containers and place behind/under your green bag)
• food and drink cartons (Tetrapak)

We cannot collect:

• glittery cards
• wrapping paper
• wallpaper
• polystyrene
• face masks

Bag two: plastic

We collect:

• empty plastic bottles (please squash and replace tops)
• plastic household containers, such as shampoo bottles, yoghurt pots, margarine tubs and food trays

We cannot collect:

• plastic film
• plant pots
• plastic bags
• disposable gloves
• bubble wrap or toys

Recycling box: glass and cans

We collect clean:

• empty glass bottles and jars
• empty drink cans
• food tins
• foil trays
• aerosols
• jar lids

We cannot collect:

• pyrex
• ceramics
• broken glass
• kitchen foil
• nappies

Blue lidded bin: paper and card

We collect:

• newspaper
• letters and envelopes
• leaflets and flyers
• shredded paper
• card

We cannot collect:

• paper that is stained/dirty with food, grease, paint or dirt
• used paper towels, tissues, wet wipes, cotton wool and makeup pads
• sticky paper (for example post-it notes, sticky labels)
• foil based gift wrap or bags
• wallpaper
• card that is stained or dirty with food, grease, paint or dirt
• waxed, waterproof food and drink cartons (for example, Tetrapak)
• takeaway cups

Red lidded bin: glass, plastic and cans

We collect:

• glass bottles, including non-food (for example, perfume bottles)
• glass jars, including lids
• plastic pots (for example, yoghurt, soup)
• plastic tubs (for example, butter, ice cream)
• plastic trays/punnets - please remove film lids and absorbent pads
• plastic bottles (for example, milk and juice, cleaning products, shampoo) - remove pumps and triggers
• drinks cans and food tins
• biscuit/chocolate tins (including lids)
• aerosols - they must be empty
• clean aluminium foil and foil trays

We cannot collect:

• glass cookware (for example, Pyrex)
• drinking glasses
• vases
• nail varnish bottles
• mirrors
• light bulbs/tubes
• window glass
• black plastic
• film lids
• laminated pouches (for example, baby or cat food)
• plastic toys
• medicine blister packs
• toothpaste tubes
• carrier bags
• cling film
• bubble wrap
• plant pots and seed trays
• plastic cups, lids and straws
• polystyrene
• crisp packets and sweet wrappers