A-Z of Recycling

a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p |q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z

A

Advent calendars - Take out the plastic insert and then recycle the cardboard.

Aerosols - Can be recycled through some council recycling schemes, and at all Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres.

Aluminium drink cans - Can be recycled through all councils' recycling schemes and at all Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres.

Aluminium foil - Cannot be recycled through council recycling schemes, but clean foil can be recycled separately at Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres

Appliances - Please see Electrical and electronic equipment and appliances

Asbestos - Asbestos cannot be recycled, as it is a hazardous waste. A limited amount can be taken to Thetford Waste Transfer Station. Call 0844 800 8004 for further details before disposing of asbestos.

Attic Clearance - Having an attic clearance? Consider selling, swapping or donating the item. You could also use your local Freecycle group to find a good home for the item.

Autumn Leaves - Can be composted at home. Some councils offer a garden waste collection scheme. Autumn leaves can also be taken to Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres

B

Bags - See Plastic bags

Bathroom fittings and furniture - This is DIY waste and cannot be disposed of through your normal waste collection. If refitting a bathroom, why not hire a skip? If not you can take 1 item (e.g. a bath is one item) per week to Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres free of charge, or larger amounts to the subsidized pay-per-load service at one of the 6 main Recycling Centres at Caister, Hempton, Ketteringham, King's Lynn, Mayton Wood and Thetford.

Batteries - Can be taken to one of Norfolk County Council's 19 Recycling Centres. Try to use rechargeable batteries instead!

Bedding - Reuse old bedding as dust sheets. Good quality bedding may be accepted by your local charity shop or clothes bank.

Beds - See furniture

Bicycles - Consider donating to charity, or reusing through your local Freecycle group.

Books - Old books may be accepted by your local charity shop, can be taken to any of Norfolk County Council's 19 Recycling Centres, or to your local book bank. You could also join Bookcrossing, a group for readers around the world http://www.bookcrossing.com/

Bricks - Cleaned bricks can be reused in the garden to make a barbeque or to line paths. One 80 litre sack of DIY waste can be taken to Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres free of charge each week, or larger amounts to the subsidized pay-per-load service at one of the 6 main Recycling Centres at Caister, Hempton, Ketteringham, King's Lynn, Mayton Wood and Thetford.

Bubble wrap - see Packaging

Building materials/ rubble - Many building materials can be reused around the home. You may also be able to find a new home for it through your local Freecycle group. You can also dispose of some DIY waste through Norfolk's Recycling Centres. Call 0844 800 8004 for further details

C

Cans and tins - Can be recycled through all the council kerbside recycling schemes, at Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres, and can banks in the county.

Car Batteries - Your old car battery can be taken to any of Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres

Cardboard - Can be recycled through all council kerbside recycling schemes in Norfolk and at Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres

Cards - Reuse as gift tags or recycle them at W H Smith, Tesco and TK Maxx through the Woodland Trust, visit www.woodland-trust.org.uk

Carpets - You can reuse old carpets in the garden to insulate compost heaps or keep weeds down if you have an allotment. If in good condition consider selling your carpet. Place it on your local Freecycle group.

Carrier bags - Take a reusable bag shopping instead! If you do end up with carrier bags reuse them as bin liners. Many supermarkets also collect them to be recycled.

Cartridges (Ink Jet) - Many charities will collect these for recycling. For example Childline http://www.childline.org.uk/ and the East Anglian Childrens Hospice http://www.each.org.uk/

Cartridges (Toner) - Several companies will collect toner cartridges for recycling. Some charities also collect toner cartridges.

Cassette tapes (Audio) - If you cannot reuse them, unfortunately cassette tapes will need to be disposed of in your rubbish bin.

Clothes - Clothes that are wearable can be donated to charity shops, or put in clothing banks. Clothes in poor condition can be reused around the home as rags or stuffing materials.

Compact Discs (CDs) - Consider selling or donating your old CDs to charity. They can also be reused as bird scarers in the garden.

Cooking Oil - If you do have any cooking oil from deep fat fryers, up to a litre of cooled oil can be placed in a sealed plastic bottle and disposed of in your rubbish bin.

Computers - If your computer is too outdated to be reused, make sure you use a suitable programme to completely clear the hard disk, before taking it to any of Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres to be recycled.

There are some companies and charities that accept old computers for reuse elsewhere.

http://www.computer-aid.org/
http://www.crash-it.org/
http://www.itforcharities.co.uk/

Crockery - Consider selling, or donating to charity. Offer it on your local Freecycle group. If you can't do this, you could use it to line the bottom of plant pots to help drainage. As a final option crockery would need to go in your rubbish bin.

Crutches and zimmer frames - Return to your local hospital physiotherapy department

D

Decorations - Reuse them or make new ones from recycled materials.

Detergents - Use refill schemes offered by many manufacturers. The plastic bottles can be recycled through some council kerbside recycling schemes or recycling banks.

DIY materials - When planning DIY projects, think about hiring a skip. A limited amount of DIY waste can be taken to Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres for free, or pay as you throw for larger amounts at one of the 6 main Recycling Centres at Caister, Hempton, Ketteringham, King's Lynn, Mayton Wood and Thetford.

Call 0844 800 8004 for further details.

Duvets - Local Animal shelters and similar operations may be glad of any bedding you could donate. Alternatively old duvets can be placed in your rubbish.

E

E-cards - A great way to say a paper free 'Happy Christmas' or 'Happy Birthday'.

Egg boxes - Some councils accept cardboard egg boxes for recycling, alternatively they are great to add to your compost heap to help circulate the air. You can reuse plastic egg boxes as seedling trays.

Electrical and electronic equipment and appliances - If in good condition consider selling. You may also be able to find a new home for it through your local Freecycle group. Some electrical suppliers will take back old items when you arrange purchase of a new one. You can also take electrical goods to all of Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres to be recycled.

Envelopes - Try to reuse where possible. Check with your local council if the kerbside recycling scheme accepts envelopes. Some bring banks accept envelopes.

F

Fabric - If you cannot find a reuse for it, it can go in your rubbish bin.

Fluorescent tubes - Fluorescent tubes are hazardous waste and should not go in your council waste collection. You can take them to be recycled separately at any of Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres.

Food - Try to only buy what you need and compost vegetable scraps. Look for recipes to use up leftovers.

Fridges - If in working order consider selling or finding a new home for your fridge through your local Freecycle group. Some retailers will take fridges back for you when you purchase a new one. You can take fridges to any of Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres to be recycled. Or you can ask your district council to collect them for a small charge.

Furniture - Some good items may be accepted by your local charity shop. Consider using your local Freecycle group to find a new home for any unwanted items. You can also take furniture to any of Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres for disposal.

G

Garden Seeds - Share with other gardeners

Garden Waste - Compost at home to create a perfect recycling loop in your own back garden. Some councils offer an opt in garden waste collection scheme, and you can take garden waste to any of Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres.

Gas bottles - Can be exchanged when you buy a new gas bottle. Empty gas bottles can also be accepted at all Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres except the Mile Cross site in Norwich

Glass bottles and jars - If you live in Norwich City you can put all glass bottles and jars in your green box. If you live elsewhere, find a reuse for them or take them to a glass bank at your supermarket or local recycling centre.

Glasses/ spectacles - Some charities collect them for reuse in other countries (e.g. The Lions collect through Specsavers, Norwich)

H

Hair - If not dyed it can be composted in your home composter.

Holly and mistletoe - Compost at home or take green waste to your recycling centre. Some local councils accept holly and mistletoe in their brown bin garden waste service, call them for further details.

I

Inkjet cartridges - see Cartridges

IT equipment - see Computers

J

Jars - Jars can be reused. If you are in to cooking, then use them for storing your home made jams and chutneys. You can also use them to store dried foods such as herbs and seeds. For the DIY enthusiast they can be reused for storing nails, nuts and bolts, for mixing paint or for cleaning paintbrushes. They can also be recycled at your nearest glass bring bank.

Jiffy bags - Save Jiffy bags and reuse them. Some Jiffy bags are made of paper with a paper stuffing, and can be composted at home.

Junk mail - Recycle using your kerbside collection (remember to remove any plastic wrappers). To remove your name from mailing lists and reduce the amount of junk mail coming through your door visit www.mpsonline.org.uk. Unaddressed mail such as flyers and circulars can be stopped by contacting Royal Mail.

K

Kerbside collections - ask your local council about kerbside collections in your area. They can provide you with details of what you can recycle and when your collection day is.

Kitchen scraps - Uncooked fruit and veg, eggshells, coffee grounds, and tea bags can all be composted at home. Some scraps can be fed to the birds, but the rest will need to go in your rubbish bin. Double wrap any food waste going in your rubbish bin to reduce any smells.

L

Liquid food cartons - Take them to any of Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres. Some councils also have bring banks for drinks cartons.

M

Magazines - Some dentist and doctors surgeries may take your old magazines, if not they can be recycled through your local kerbside collection scheme.

Mattresses - If in good condition consider finding a new home for it through your local Freecycle group. Mattresses can also be accepted at your nearest Norfolk County Council Recycling Centre.

Medicines - Don't dispose of medicines through your rubbish bin, or down the toilet. Return to a chemist for safe disposal

Metal - See Scrap metal

Mobile phones - Many charities and schools now collect old mobile phones for recycling to raise money.

N

Napkins - Compost your paper towels and napkins.

Nappies - Nappies can't be recycled. Why not try cotton washable nappies instead, which offer many benefits for your child and will save you money (approx £600 for your first child!). Call 0844 800 8004 for details on real nappies and how to claim a £30 discount.

O

Oil - Put engine oil in a secure container, and take to your nearest Norfolk County Council Recycling Centre to recycle the contents in one of the oil banks.

Old clothes - Take them to a textiles bank or your local charity shop.

P

Paint - Liquid paint can be accepted at the following Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres for safe disposal: King's Lynn, Hempton, Thetford, Ketteringham, Mayton Wood and Caister. Don't put liquid paint in your household waste kerbside collection. If paint is completely dried out it can be accepted in your rubbish collection.

Paper - Reuse paper where possible. Paper can be accepted in your kerbside collection for recycling.

Photocopiers - If working see if charities, community groups or schools want them. If not you may find a new home for it through your local Freecycle group, or the Eastex Materials Exchange.

Plastic bags - Reuse next time you go shopping, or use as bin liners. Better still take a reusable cloth bag or bag for life to do your shopping and don't pick up plastic bags at all.

Plastic bottles - Reuse drinks bottles. Some councils collect plastic bottles through the kerbside collection.

Plastic trays - Reuse as art materials. If not these need to go in the rubbish bin as they can't be recycled.

Plastic wrappers - Plastic wrappers need to go in your rubbish bin.

Polystyrene - Reuse as drainage material at the bottom of plant pots as it's very light and will make moving pots much easier.

Q

Questions - If you have any questions on what can be taken to Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres call 0844 8008004. Or to find out what can be recycled in your kerbside collection call your district council.

R

Rags - Reuse as floor/ dish cloths or stuffing materials.

S

Saucepans - If in good condition consider donating to charity or finding a new home for them through your local Freecycle group. They can also be put in the scrap metal bin at your nearest Norfolk County Council Recycling Centre for recycling.

Scrap metal - scrap metal can be recycled at any of Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres as long as it does not exceed the weekly allowance if it is DIY waste (eg radiators).

Sharps - Sharps should not be placed in your rubbish or recycling bin as they are extremely dangerous. Sharps include diabetic blood testing kits, insulin pen needles, syringe needles for medical injections, and needles from injecting drug users. Please make sure you dispose of these responsibly by asking your doctor for a sharps box and taking them to your doctor's surgery for safe disposal.

Shoes - If in good condition, consider donating to charity. You may also find a new home for them through your local Freecycle group. Some district councils also have shoe banks at their mini recycling centers.

Sweet wrappers - These cannot be recycled. Use them for craft making with children.

T

Tea bags - Put in your home compost bin.

Textiles - Wearable clothes and shoes can be donated to charity or put on your local Freecycle group. Look out for textiles banks located throughout Norfolk.

Tiles - Reuse broken tiles in mosaics, or put on your local Freecycle group. One 80 litre sack of DIY waste can be accepted at Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres per week free of charge. Larger amounts can be taken to one of the 6 main Recycling Centres at Caister, Hempton, Ketteringham, King's Lynn, Mayton Wood or Thetford

Timber - Try finding a new home for your old timber through your local Freecycle group. One 80 litre sack of DIY waste is accepted at Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres per week free of charge. Larger amounts can be taken to one of the 6 main Recycling Centres at Caister, Hempton, Ketteringham, King's Lynn, Mayton Wood and Thetford.

Tins - Food and drinks cans can be collected through your kerbside recycling collection. Large tins (e.g. old biscuit tins) are too big to be accepted in your local council recycling collection so please take to your recycling centre or reuse as storage containers.

Tools - Consider donating to charity, or advertise through your local Freecycle group.

Toys - If in good condition consider donating to charity. You can also advertise these through your local Freecycle group.

Tyres - When you get your car tyres changed, the garage should deal with the old tyres from your car. You can reuse tyres to create compost bins, flower and plant containers and garden borders. Up to 5 car tyres can be taken to your nearest Norfolk County Council Recycling Centre. Some garages may take your car tyres for recycling for a small charge.

U

Unwanted gifts - Give them away on your local Freecycle group. You could ask friends and family to get you vouchers or an experience gift for a fun day out.

UPVC windows - Very difficult to recycle. Consider advertising on your local Freecycle group.

V

Vegetable peelings - Compost at home. Visit www.recyclenow/compost for a reduced price compost bin.

W

Walking sticks - Consider donating to charity or advertise on your local Freecycle group

Washing machines - If still in working order consider selling or advertising on your local Freecycle group for a new home. You can take an old washing machine to any of Norfolk County Council's Recycling Centres to be recycled. Or you can ask your district council to collect them for a small charge.

Water Filters - All components of the Brita cartridge are recyclable. Cartridges returned to Brita will be sent to their own recycling plant in Germany where the component parts are separated and processed for secondary use. Cartridges can be returned via their Freepost address: BRITA RECYCLING, FREEPOST NAT17876, Bicester, OX26 4BR. All other brands of water filter should be disposed of in your rubbish bin.

Wrapping paper - Avoid sticky tape by using string or ribbons so that paper can be reused. Some paper bring banks in the county accept wrapping paper for recycling.

X

Xmas trees - Take your real trees to one of Norfolk County Council's 19 recycling centers for composting or contact your district council for more recycling points. Some brown bin garden waste collections accept Christmas trees cut up in the bin, contact your local council for further details. Plastic trees cannot be recycled.

Each UK household produces over 1 tonne of rubbish annually, amounting to about 31 million tonnes for the UK each year