Which bin do I use?

Please help us to recycle as much as possible into the right bins - contaminated bins cost money.

See our tips for safe storage of waste before collection and help protect our collection crew.

Battery Recycling

Batteries are often found in products like laptops, tablets, mobile phones, radio-controlled toys, Bluetooth devices, shavers, electric toothbrushes, power tools, scooters, kid’s plastic toys, remotes controls, and even e-cigarettes etc.

  • The research suggests that at least 25% of the UK population appear to be binning batteries, and nearly a third (29%) of those people who dispose of electrical items have put at least one of them in a household bin or the wrong recycling container in the past year
  • Many people are unaware that there are embedded batteries in some electrical waste and the electrical items most commonly disposed of within the last year are electric toothbrushes (39% of respondents), device charger/powerbank (24%) and shavers/trimmers (22%). Other items commonly disposed of included electric toys, power tools, e-cigarettes and Bluetooth earbuds
  • Of the people who throw batteries in the bin, most say they don’t know what to do with them, and only 10% of those that bin batteries are aware of the fire risk. Those binning batteries appear more likely to be younger and female, particularly for loose batteries
  • People who are aware, or who are made aware, of the fire risk are less likely to bin batteries.

Batteries SHOULD NOT be disposed of in any of the kerbside bins. Find your nearest battery recycling outlet from the Recycle Now Locator (external link).

Blue bin / white sack
ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED
Office paper
Nappies / Incontinence pads
Junk mail Food
Catalogues, brochures and directories Plastic bags
Newspapers and magazines Plastic wrappers
Envelopes Plastic trays
Greeting cards (without glitter) Polystyrene
Cardboard (including printed or plain) Hard back and paper back books
Kitchen and toilet roll inner tubes Crisp packets
  Wallpaper
  Empty Food and drink cartons - inc Tetra pak
Brown bin
ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED
Cans, tins and aerosols Plastic bags, plastic wrapping, plastic film
Glass bottles Coat hangers
Glass jars Plant pots
Plastic bottles Furniture or toys
Yoghurt pots Food
Household plastic pots and tubs Nappies / Incontinence pads
Aluminium foil Foil type food sachets, coffee pods
  Electrical items
  Hosepipes, wire
  Wine and beverage glasses
  Window pane glass
Green bin / green caddy
ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED
Grass Cardboard
Leaves Large branches (more than 15cm diameter)
Twigs Soil
Small branches (less than 15cm diameter) Rubble
Food including: Bread and pastries / egg shells and dairy (no liquids) / fish (raw or cooked) / fruit and vegetables / meat and bones (raw or cooked) / teabags and coffee grounds / leftover food. Food packaging
  Liquid oils and fat
  Liquid dairy products such as milk, yoghurt or cream
  Plastic bags

You can put food waste straight into your green bin (no food waste bag needed).

Please ensure you recycle as much as possible using your Blue, Brown and Green bins.

Black bin
ALLOWEDNOT ALLOWED
Anything that is not allowed in the above bins Soil
Nappies / Incontinence pads Rubble
Dog foul Building materials
Cat litter Liquid waste (including paints and oils)
  Hazardous waste
  Prohibited items

For advice on how to dispose of these items, visit:

Please make sure that your bin is placed at the collection point no later than 6.30am on your collection day.

Food waste collections

Every household has a small, silver kitchen caddy and a supply of compostable liners to make recycling food waste clean and easy. Watch the video below to find out how you can help be part of the council's drive to reduce waste, recycle more and save money.

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling

Residents can now recycle their waste electrical items (old kettles, hair-straighteners, toasters, etc.) at the locations listed below:

If the item is still in working order then you can donate them to your nearest charity shop.

Please do not put any electrical items into your brown bin, as we cannot recycle these with your brown waste items.

© Wigan Council