Waste and recycling - what goes where
View a list of waste and recycling materials that we accept via household bin collections or at recycling centres, glass and textile points or garden waste collection points.
On this page you can also find out what you can do with items or materials that we can't accept.
| Item | Where can it go | Condition of the item or alternative way of disposing it |
| Aerosol tins | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty. |
| Air freshener (aerosol) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty. |
| Aluminium foil | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Remove food and other dirt from any foil packaging or trays. |
| Aluminium trays | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Remove food and other dirt from any foil packaging or trays. |
| Animal waste | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Asbestos | Not accepted | View commercial sites that dispose of asbestos. |
| Ash | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Baby wipes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Baking tray | Black bin (non-recyclable waste), Recycling centres |
Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. You can also put them in a scrap metal container at one of our recycling centres. |
| Balloons | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Batteries (household) | Battery recycling bag | View more information about household batteries collections. |
| Biscuit tins | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Black bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Black plastic trays | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Blister packs | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Books | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | You can donate books to charity shops if they are in a good condition. |
| Bottle tops | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Keep lid on bottle (wash, squash and replace lid before recycling). |
| Bricks | Recycling centres | Rubble skip. |
| Brochures | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Remove any plastic wrapping. |
| Bubble wrap | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Buckets | Recycling centres | Rigid plastic container at Peterhead recycling centre and Ellon recycling centre only. |
| Butter tubs | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Car battery | Recycling centres | There are separate car battery containers at recycling centres. |
| Cat litter | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Cardboard (including cardboard boxes and packaging) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Flatten the cardboard. |
| Carpets | Recycling centres | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition, if not place in the waste skip at one of our recycling centres. |
| Carrier bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Cartridges | Not accepted | Can be returned to the manufacturer or supplier and some charities will accept them too. |
| Cartons (Tetra Pak) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| CDs | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Cereal boxes | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Flatten the cardboard before putting it in the bin. |
| Cleaning product bottle (plastic) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Cling film | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Clinical waste | Not accepted | Please contact the NHS for advice on disposal. |
| Clothes | Recycling centres, Glass and textile recycling points |
Clothes can be disposed of in textile banks at recycling points and centres regardless of condition but they can also be donated to charity if still usable. |
| Coffee cups (disposable) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is empty and dry. |
| Coffee grounds | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Coffee machine pods | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is clean and empty of any granules. |
| Compostable food packaging | Food waste caddy | Compostable containers such as: food containers, cutlery, coffee and drinks cups. |
| Computers | Recycling centres | Computers can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition, if not you can place them in the WEEE container. Please ensure all data is wiped. Community Food Initiatives North East runs a reuse initiative to refurbish IT equipment. |
| Cooked food | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Cooking oil | Recycling centres | Make sure the cooking oil is clean. Use correct oil container at recycling centres. |
| Cosmetic bottles (glass) | Glass and textiles recycling points | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Cosmetic bottles (plastic) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Crisp bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Crisp tubes | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Dead flowers or plants | Seasonal garden waste collection points | Flowers can be put in a composter. Smaller flowers can be placed in your food waste caddy. |
| Deodorant can | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty. |
| Detergent bottles | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Dog waste | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Cannot be recycled. |
| Drainage pipes | Recycling centres | Rigid plastic container at Peterhead recycling centre and Ellon recycling centre only. |
| Drink cans | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Drink carton | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Drinking glasses | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Duvets | Not accepted | Can be donated to a charity if in a suitable condition. Cannot be accepted in textile banks. |
| DVDS | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Earth and rubble | Recycling centres | Remove wood, metal, wires and glass, place in a rubble or soil skip as appropriate. |
| Egg boxes | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Egg shells | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Electricals | Recycling centres | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition, if not place in the WEEE container. |
| Energy saving light bulbs | Recycling centres | Put in fluorescent tube container at a recycling centre. |
| Envelopes (including windows) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | |
| Face wipes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Fibreglass | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Fireworks | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Please soak your unwanted fireworks in water before putting into your bin. |
| Fish and chip boxes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services (card fish and chips boxes are too contaminated, polystyrene is not recyclable). |
| Fish bones | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Flares | Not accepted | Please contact your local coastguard for advice on disposal of flares. |
| Fluorescent tubes | Recycling centres | Can be put into the lamp recycling container. |
| Food bags (poly) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Check with your local supermarket for polythene bag recycling containers. |
| Food tins | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Food trays (not polystyrene) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Food trays (polystyrene) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Food waste | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Fridges and freezers | Recycling centres | Put into the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) area at a recycling centre or if in a suitable condition give to charity. |
| Fruit peelings | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items (stickers). |
| Furniture | Recycling centres | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition otherwise can be put in a waste skip at one of our recycling centres. |
| Furniture polish can | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Garden waste | Seasonal garden waste collection points, Recycling centres |
Remove contaminants including plastic sacks, stones, plant pots and fencing material. |
| Gas cylinders | Recycling centres | Gas cylinder cage at recycling centre. |
| Glass (bottles and jars) | Glass and textiles recycling points, Recycling centres |
Separate the glass into colours (purple or pink glass can go in the green glass container). You can also take it to any glass recycling point. |
| Glass panes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste), Recycling centres | It can't be recycled. You can put it in a waste skip at a recycling centre or black bin at home. |
| Greeting cards (without glitter) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure there is no glitter. |
| Greeting cards (containing glitter) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services as glitter causes contamination. You can remove back of the card if it is glitter free. |
| Hairspray (aerosol) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is empty. |
| Hand wash bottle | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is empty and clean. |
| Hardback books | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Hardcore | Recycling centres | Rubble skip. |
| Hazardous chemicals | Not accepted | Contact waste management organisations to arrange disposal. |
| Helium gas bottles and cylinders | Recycling centres | Gas cylinder cage at recycling centre. |
| Inhalers | Not accepted | Local pharmacies can recycle inhalers. |
| Ink cartridges | Not accepted | Can be returned to the manufacturer or supplier and some charities will accept these. |
| Insulation (such as loft, wall, floor) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste), Recycling centres | It can't be recycled. You can put it in a waste skip at a recycling centre or black bin at home. |
| Jam jar lids | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin), Glass and textile recycling points |
Lids go into the blue lidded bins, or they can stay on the jars and be recycled at glass recycling points. |
| Japanese knotweed | Not accepted | Contact a specialist waste management contractor for this specific plant disposal. |
| Jewellery | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Jiffy bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services, please reuse. |
| Junk mail | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Remove any plastic wrapping. |
| Kitchen paper towels | Food waste caddy | Small amounts of paper towels can be taken in the food caddy. |
| Knives | Black bin (non-recyclable waste), Recycling centres |
Please wrap items thoroughly if disposing of in your black bin or scrap metal skip at recycling centres or reuse. |
| Laminated paper | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Laundry basket | Recycling centres | Rigid plastic container at Peterhead recycling centre and Ellon recycling centre only, or general waste skip at other sites. |
| Lead acid batteries | Recycling centres | Local garages can dispose of car parts. Don't mix with household batteries if disposing at a recycling centre. |
| Leaves | Seasonal garden waste collection points, Recycling centres |
Use the green waste skip at the recycling centre or summer garden waste points or compost at home. |
| Light bulbs (filament) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste), Recycling centres |
Currently can't be recycled through our services. You can put it in a waste skip in a recycling centre. |
| Light bulbs (energy saving) | Recycling centres | Can be put into the container for bulbs at recycling centre. |
| Magazines | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Remove any plastic packaging. |
| Meat bones | Food waste caddy | Remove packaging. |
| Meat trays | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Medicines | Not accepted | Return to your local pharmacy. |
| Metallic wrapping paper | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Metals | Recycling centres | Scrap metal unit. |
| Milk bottles (plastic) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Mobile phones | Recycling centres | Can be put into the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) container. Please ensure all data is removed. If in good order, you can take them to a charity shop. |
| Nappies (disposable) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Needles | Not accepted | Please don't put into any council bin. NHS accepts needles and your prescribing pharmacist should supply a sharp safe bin or needle exchange. |
| Newspapers | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | |
| Oil tins | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | All oil should be removed and tin cleaned. |
| Out of date food | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items (packaging). |
| Padded envelopes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services, please reuse. |
| Paint | Black bin (non-recyclable waste | Note, all paint should be either removed or dried. If you have tins of water-based paint, leave the lid off so the paint can go hard before putting them in your refuse bin. For oil-based paint, mix the paint with sawdust or cat litter first and then leave to dry before disposal. |
| Painted paper or card | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Pans | Black bin (non-recyclable waste), Recycling centres |
Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition or placed in scrap metal container at recycling centre. |
| Paper | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is clean and dry. |
| Paper napkins | Food waste caddy | |
| Paperback books | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Pesticides | Not accepted | Follow manufacturer instruction. |
| Pet food | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Pet food pouches | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Phone books | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Remove plastic packaging. |
| Photos | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Pillows | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Can be donated to an animal charity if in a suitable condition. Cannot be accepted in textile banks. |
| Pizza box | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | The top of the box can be put into your blue bin (mixed dry recycling) if it is not greasy. |
| Plant pots (ceramic) | Recycling centres | Rubble skip. |
| Plant pots (plastic) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin), Recycling centres | Rigid plastic container at Peterhead recycling centre and Ellon recycling centre only. Make sure they are clean and dry. |
| Plasterboard | Recycling centres | Make sure it's clean and free of any tiles or dirt. |
| Plastic bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | We can't recycle plastic bags but you can still recycle them at most supermarkets. Check with your local store if they accept them. |
| Plastic bottles | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Plastic cups (disposable) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Plastic lids | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Put back on the bottle once air is squashed out. |
| Plastic netting | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Plastic pots | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin), Recycling centres |
Rigid plastic container at Peterhead recycling centre and Ellon recycling centre only. Make sure they are clean and dry. |
| Plastic straws | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Plastic trays | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Plastic tubes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Plastic tubs | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Plastic wrapping or film | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Polystyrene | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Polystyrene expanded (EPS) | Recycling centres | Can be recycled at Stonehaven, Portlethen and Banchory recycling centres. Please note only shape molded packaging, usually used for electronics, blocks and planks of filled material, clean packaging boxed and packaging balls are accepted. |
| Pressurised containers | Recycling centres | Includes gas bottles such as LPG and camping gas, fire extinguishers and similar potentially dangerous containers. Make sure they are empty. |
| Pyrex glass | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Rags | Recycling centres, Glass and textile recycling points |
|
| Ragwort | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Waste skip. |
| Rechargeable batteries | Battery recycling bag | |
| Recyclable material contaminated in food | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. Food contaminated card can be home composted. |
| Rice, pasta and pizza | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Rotten food | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Rubble | Recycling centres | Rubble skip. |
| Sandwich packets | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Clean off food residue. |
| Sanitary products | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Sauce bottles (glass) | Glass and textile recycling points | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Sauce bottles (plastic) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Scrap metal | Recycling centres | Scrap metal unit. |
| Shampoo bottles | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Sheet glass | Black bin (non-recyclable waste), Recycling centres |
It cannot currently be recycled through our services. You can put it in a waste skip at a recycling centre. |
| Shoes | Recycling centres, Glass and textile recycling points |
Tie shoes together to keep in pairs. Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Shredded paper | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is clean, dry and wrapped in either newspaper or cereal boxes to prevent litter. |
| Small electrical appliances | Recycling centres | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition or placed in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) container. |
| Smoke alarms | Recycling centres | Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) container. |
| Soft plastic tubes (such as toothpaste) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Soil | Recycling centres | Soil skip. |
| Spectacles | Not accepted | Can be donated to charity or prescribing optician. |
| Stone | Recycling centres | Rubble skip. |
| Straws | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Sweet packets (plastic) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Sweet tin | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Syringes | Not accepted | Please don't put syringes into any council bin. NHS accepts them and your prescribing pharmacist should supply a sharp safe bin or needle exchange. |
| Tablet blister packs | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Tablet bottles | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Tablets | Not accepted | Return to your pharmacy. |
| Tea bags | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items (staples or string). |
| Textiles | Recycling centres | Can be disposed of at textile banks at recycling points regardless of condition but can also be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Tin foil | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Remove food and other dirt from any foil packaging or trays. |
| Tissues | Food waste caddy | Small amounts of paper tissue can be taken in the food caddy. |
| Toilet roll tubes | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is clean and dry. |
| Toner | Not accepted | Can be returned to the manufacturer or supplier and some charities will accept these. |
| Toothbrushes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Toothpaste tubes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Toys | Black bin (non-recyclable waste), Recycling centres | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. Alternatively can go into Rigid plastic container at Peterhead recycling centre and Ellon recycling centre only. |
| Turf | Recycling centres | Soil skip. |
| Tyres | Not accepted | Find out where and how to dispose of tyres. Bicycle tyres can be put into the non-recyclable waste skip at recycling centres. |
| Uncooked food | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items (packaging). |
| Underlay | Recycling centres | If cannot be reused put in a waste skip. |
| Vegetable oil | Recycling centres | Ensure correct oil container is used at recycling centre. |
| Vegetable peelings | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items (stickers). |
| Vegetables | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Video cases | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Please remove the paper insert, which can also be recycled. |
| Video tapes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Video cassettes cannot be recycled. |
| Vinyl flooring | Recycling centres | If cannot be reused put in a waste skip. |
| Wallpaper | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| Water filters | Not accepted | Can be returned to manufacturer to be recycled. |
| Weeds | Black bin (non-recyclable waste), Recycling centres |
You can put it in a waste skip at a recycling centre. |
| Wet wipes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services. |
| White bin bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services but may be recycled in plastic bag recycling at supermarkets. |
| Window panes | Recycling centres | Put it in a waste skip at a recycling centre. |
| Wood | Recycling centres | Remove any nails and screws. |
| Wooden flooring | Recycling centres | If cannot be reused put in a wood skip. |
| Wool | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently can't be recycled through our services but can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Wrapping paper | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Can be recycled if it scrunches and stays compressed, springy wrapping paper with plastic content cannot be recycled. |
| Yellow Pages | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Remove any plastic packaging. |
| Yogurt pots | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |