What to do with your rubbish
Find out what to put in each bin and if you can take your rubbish to your nearest recycling centre, garden waste collection point, NHS, charity or return it to the manufacturer.
We don’t accept plastic bags but you can still recycle them at most supermarkets. Check with your local store if they accept them.
| Material | Where should it go? | Additional Information |
| 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 cannot be recycled. |
| Asbestos | Not disposed of | View commercial sites that dispose of asbestos, by appointment only. |
| Ash | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Baby wipes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Baking tray | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Balloons | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Batteries (household) | Battery recycling bag | View more information about household batteries. |
| Biscuit tins | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Black bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Black plastic trays | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Blister packs | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| 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 centre | Rubble skip. |
| Brochures | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are clean and dry. |
| Bubble Wrap | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Buckets | Recycling centre | 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 centre | There are separate car battery containers at recycling centres. |
| Car parts | Recycling centre | Your local garage can also dispose of car parts. |
| Cat litter | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Cardboard | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Flatten the cardboard and remove all stickers and tape. |
| Cardboard boxes | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Flatten the cardboard and remove all stickers and tape. |
| Cardboard packaging | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Flatten the cardboard and remove all stickers and tape. |
| Carpets | Recycling centre | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition, if not place in the waste skip. |
| Carrier bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Cartridges | Not disposed of | Can be returned to the manufacturer or supplier and some charities will accept these. |
| Cartons (Tetra Pak) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| CDs | Charity or 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. |
| 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 cannot be recycled. |
| Clinical Waste | NHS | Please contact the NHS for advice on disposal. |
| Clothes | Recycling centre or charity | Can be disposed of in textile banks at recycling points regardless of condition but 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. |
| Computers | Recycling centre or charity | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition, if not place in the WEEE container. Please ensure all data is wiped. CFINE run a reuse initiative to refurbish IT equipment. |
| Cooked food | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Cooking Oil | Recycling centre | Make sure the cooking oil is clean and not mixed with engine oil. |
| Cosmetic bottle (glass) | Glass recycling point | 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 cannot be recycled. |
| Crisp tubes | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Crutches | NHS | Return to the department where they were issued. |
| Dead flowers/ plants | Compost or garden waste collection point | 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. |
| DIY materials | Charity or Recycling centre | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Dog Waste | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Cannot be recycled. |
| Drainage pipes | Recycling centre | 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 cannot be recycled. |
| Duvets | Charity | Can be donated to a charity if in a suitable condition. Cannot be accepted in textile banks. |
| DVDS | Charity or black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Earth and rubble | Recycling centre | Remove wood, metal, wires and glass. |
| 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 centre or charity | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition, if not place in the WEEE container. |
| Energy saving light bulbs | Recycling centre | Put in fluorescent tube container at a recycling centre. |
| Envelopes (including windows) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is clean and dry. |
| Face wipes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Fibreglass | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| 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 cannot be recycled. |
| Fish bones | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Flares | Not disposed of | Please contact your local Coastguard for advice on disposal of flares. |
| Fluorescent tubes | Recycling centre | Can be put into the lamp recycling container. |
| Food bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Check with your local supermarket. |
| 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 cannot be recycled. |
| Food waste | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Fridges and freezers | Recycling centre or charity | Put into the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) area. |
| Fruit peelings | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items (stickers). |
| Furniture | Recycling centre or charity | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Furniture polish can | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Garden Waste | Seasonal garden waste collection points or Recycling centre | Remove contaminants including plastic sacks, stones, plant pots, fencing material |
| Gas Cylinders | Recycling centre | Gas cylinder cage |
| Glass (bottles and jars) | Recycling centre or glass collection points | Separate the glass into colours. You can also take it to any glass recycling point. |
| Glass panes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or Recycling centre | Waste skip. It cannot be recycled. |
| Greeting cards | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | No glitter. |
| Greeting cards (containing glitter) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled as glitter causes contamination. |
| Hairspray | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Handwash bottle | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Hardback books | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or charity | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Hardcore | Recycling centre | Rubble skip. |
| Hard hats | Recycling centre | Rigid plastic container at Peterhead recycling centre and Ellon recycling centre only. |
| Hazardous chemicals | Not disposed of | Contact waste management organisations to arrange disposal. |
| Helium gas bottles and cylinders | Recycling centre | Gas cylinder cage. |
| Inhalers | Pharmacy | Local pharmacies can recycle. |
| Ink cartridges | Not disposed of | Can be returned to the manufacturer or supplier and some charities will accept these. |
| Japanese knotweed | Not disposed of | Contact a specialist waste management contractor for this specific plant disposal. |
| Jewellery | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or charity | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Jiffy bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or reuse | Currently cannot be recycled, please reuse. |
| Junk mail | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Remove any plastic wrapping and make sure it is clean and dry. |
| Kitchen paper towels | Food waste caddy | Small amounts of paper towels can be taken in the food caddy. |
| Knives | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or Recycling centre | 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 cannot be recycled. |
| Laundry basket | Recycling centre | Rigid plastic container at Peterhead recycling centre and Ellon recycling centre only. |
| Lead Acid Batteries | Recycling centre or local garage | Local garages can dispose of car parts. Don't mix with household batteries if disposing at a recycling centre. |
| Leaves | Recycling centre, Garden waste points or compost | 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) or Recycling centre | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Light bulbs (Energy saving) | Recycling centre | Can be put into the container for bulbs at recycling centre. |
| Magazines | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is clean and dry. |
| Meat bones | Food waste caddy | Remove packaging. |
| Meat trays | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Medicines | NHS | Return to your local pharmacy. |
| Metallic wrapping paper | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Metals | Recycling centre | Scrap metal unit. |
| Milk bottles (plastic) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Mobile Phones | Recycling centre or charity | Can be put into the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equiptment (WEEE) container. Please ensure all data is removed. |
| Nappies (Disposable) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Needles | NHS | Do not put into any council bin, your prescribing pharmacist should supply a sharp safe bin or needle exchange. |
| Newspapers | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is clean and dry. |
| Oil Tins | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | All oil should be removed. |
| Out of date food | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items (packaging). |
| Padded envelopes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or reuse | Currently cannot be recycled, 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. |
| Painted paper or card | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Pans | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or charity or Recycling centre | 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 | Reuse or blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition. |
| Pesticides | Follow manufacturer instruction | |
| Pet food | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Pet food pouches | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Phone books | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is clean and dry. |
| Photos | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Pillows | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or charity | 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 centre | Rubble skip. |
| Plant pots (plastic) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) or recycling centre | Can be recycled at rigid plastic container at Peterhead recycling centre and Ellon recycling centre only. Make sure they are clean and dry. |
| Plasterboard | Recycling centre | Prior arrangement must be made and make sure it's clean and free of any tiles or dirt. |
| Plastic bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| 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) | Make sure they are clean and on top of container. |
| Plastic netting | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Plastic pots | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) or Recycling centre | Blue bin or rigid plastic container at Peterhead recycling centre and Ellon recycling centre only. Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Plastic straws | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Plastic trays | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Plastic tubes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| 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 cannot be recycled. |
| Polystyrene | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Pressurised containers | Recycling centre | 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 cannot be recycled. |
| Rags | Recycling centre or textile banks | |
| Ragwort | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Waste skip. |
| Rechargeable batteries | Battery bags | |
| Recyclable material contaminated in food | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Rice, pasta and pizza | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Rotten food | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items. |
| Rubble | Recycling centre | Rubble skip. |
| Sandwich packets | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Clean off food residue. |
| Sanitary products | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Sauce bottles (plastic) | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Scrap metal | Recycling centre | Scrap metal unit. |
| Shampoo bottles | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Sheet glass | Recycling centre or Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Waste skip. It cannot currently be recycled. |
| Shoes | Recycling centre or textile banks or charity | 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. |
| Small electrical appliances | Recycling centre or charity | Can be donated to charity if in a suitable condition or placed in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) container. |
| Smoke alarms | Recycling centre | Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) container. |
| Soft plastic tubes (e.g. toothpaste) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Soil | Recycling centre | Soil skip. |
| Spectacles | Charities | Can be donated to prescribing optician. |
| Stone | Recycling centre | Rubble skip. |
| Straws | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Sweet packets (plastic) | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Sweet tin | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Syringes | NHS | Do not put into any council bin, your prescribing pharmacist should supply a sharp safe bin or needle exchange. |
| Tablet blister packs | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Tablet bottles | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |
| Tablets | NHS | Return to your pharmacy. |
| Tea bags | Food waste caddy | Remove any non-food items (staples or string). |
| Textiles | Reuse or Recycling centre | 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 | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Toilet roll tubes | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure it is clean and dry. |
| Toner | Not disposed of | Can be returned to the manufacturer or supplier and some charities will accept these. |
| Toothbrushes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Toothpaste tubes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Toys | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or Recycling centre | 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. |
| Tyres | Not disposed of | 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 centre or Reuse | Waste skip if cannot be reused. |
| Vegetable oil | Recycling centre | 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 centre or Reuse | Waste skip if cannot be reused. |
| Wallpaper | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Water filters | Manufacturer | Can be returned to manufacturer to be recycled. |
| Weeds | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or Recycling centre | Waste skip. |
| Wet wipes | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| White bin bags | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) | Currently cannot be recycled. |
| Window Panes | Recycling centre | Waste skip. |
| Wood | Recycling centre | Remove any nails and screws. |
| Wooden flooring | Recycling centre or Reuse | Wood skip if cannot be reused. |
| Wool | Black bin (non-recyclable waste) or reuse | Currently cannot be recycled 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) | |
| Yogurt pots | Blue bin (mixed dry recycling bin) | Make sure they are empty and clean. |