View this email in your browser What goes in which bin? Dorset residents are some of the best recyclers in the country, but there are certain items that are often put in recycling bins which, despite their best intentions, we can’t recycle. This is called “wishcycling”. This edition of our newsletter will give you more information about what should and shouldn’t be placed in your recycling bin, which we hope will help to address any common misunderstandings. As ever, we’d love to hear from you about how our newsletters could be better, and your own tips for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. Contact us via Facebook, X or our website.Take a look at this webpage to find out a detailed list of what goes in each bin  Batteries can catch fire when crushed in collection vehicles This problem is made worse by the fact that there are lots of combustible materials in our vehicles. Please never put your batteries in any bin, even if they are out of charge. Batteries can be recycled in the following ways:At local retailers (check locally)At your nearest Household Recycling Centre (HRC)As part of our kerbside recycling scheme. Use a battery bag (or a clear bag of your own) and leave it on top of the lid of your recycling bin.Please be aware that batteries can sometimes be hidden in devices and appliances (even greeting cards!). If you can’t separate it from the device, then take it to a HRC. Electricals can be recycled at certain retailers or at HRC’s.Find out where to recycle electricals  Guidance on PlasticsPlastics often cause confusion, which isn’t surprising considering there’s so many different types! A basic rule is it should only go in your recycling bin if it’s a bottle, pot, tub, or tray. We can accept:Plastic bottles – all types, including bottles from your bathroom and cleaning cupboardPots – yoghurt, soups etcTubs – margarine, ice cream etcTrays – fruit punnets, ready meals etc (all colours)Please remember to give them a quick rinse out, squash them if possible, and put lids back on. We can’t accept:Plastic filmPumps/sprays attached to some plastic bottles (they often contain small metal springs). But please recycle the bottle!Blister packsPlant potsHard plastics e.g. coat hangers, toys etcSome of these items can be recycled at the following locations:Plastic film – most large supermarkets. Check locallyHard plastics – Some HRC’s. Check locallyBlister packs – most Boots branches (correct at the time of issue)Plant pots – Many garden centres have containers where pots can be left for others to reuse.Find out where you can recycle plastic filmPlease note that we can’t accept polystyrene in your recycling bin. Please dispose of this in the general rubbish, or take to a Household Recycling Centre (HRC).  The only glass items that can go in your glass box are bottles, jars, perfume bottles and cosmetic jars.We can accept:Glass bottles and jars (you can leave any metal lids on)Glass perfume bottles (please remove any pumps or sprays)Glass cosmetic jars.We can’t accept:LightbulbsDrinking glassesOvenproof glassGlass from windows, doors or greenhouses (known as flat glass or plate glass)Plastic lids.This is often due to different chemical properties and melting points. Drinking glasses and overproof glass should be put in your rubbish bin (please wrap in paper first if broken). Other glass can be taken to your nearest Household Recycling Centre (HRC). Please note that you may be charged for recycling flat glass.Find out about recycling flat glass  A word on paper Most paper can be recycled. This includes envelopes with the plastic windows still on them. However, any tissues, paper towels, or pieces of kitchen roll that have been used cannot be recycled. They can only go in your recycling bin if they’re completely clean and dry. Small amounts of shredded paper can go in your recycling bin, but please put it in an envelope or a small cardboard box (e.g. cereal box) first. Larger amounts of shredded paper can be recycled at HRC’s. Padded envelopes containing bubble wrap can’t be accepted. If the envelope can’t be reused, it’s sometimes possible to remove the bubble wrap. After removing the bubble wrap, put just the envelope in the recycling bin. Find out where to recycle larger amounts of shredded paperWould you like more tips about reducing, reusing and recycling, as well as finding out what our Recycling Team gets up to?We post regularly to our Facebook and X pages, so please follow us on our social channels!  Don’t be Foiled! We can only accept the following foil items in your recycling containers:Foil containers (e.g. pie trays, take-away trays)Foil sheets (e.g. to cover food or wrap sandwiches)Confectionary wrappings (e.g. Easter eggs, the inner wrappings of chocolate bars)Foil lids (e.g. yoghurts, noodles).We’d be very grateful if you could carry out these simple actions before recycling your foil items please:Wipe clean any sheet foil as best you canRinse foil traysScrunch sheet foil or wrappers into a ball approximately the size of a tennis ball.Some items that look like foil are joined with plastic or paper, and should not be placed in your recycling bin:Crisp packetsBranded wrappers for chocolate barsPet food pouchesDrink pouchesButter wrappingsBlister pill packs.Please check local listings, including shops and supermarkets, for where these items can be taken for recycling. Otherwise, please place these in your black bin/rubbish bag.Not sure if something is foil? Do the scrunch test! Scrunch the foil in your hand. If it stays scrunched, it’s aluminium and can be recycled. If it springs back open, it’s film (or a mixed material) and cannot go in your kerbside container. Please note, some film can be recycled at supermarkets.Did you get this newsletter from a friend? Why not sign up for your own copy of our bins, recycling and litter e-newsletter? Check your bin dayReport a bin problemFind out what goes in which binCopyright © 2025 Dorset Council, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list |