Recycling
What can and can't be recycled in Leeds?
If you've ever spent longer than necessary wondering whether the margarine tub, orange juice carton or crisp packet in your hand is recyclable or not, then you're definitely not alone. A study carried out a couple of years ago in the UK revealed that over 56% of people are confused about what can and can't be recycled which inevitably leads many to just give up.
We have gathered all the information you need about what can and can't be recycled in Leeds.
Plastics
You CAN recycle:
- Plastic types 1, 2, 4 and 5, except for black and brown
- Other plastic including bags, plastic food containers, drinks bottles, see-through plastic milk containers, cartons (Tetra Paks), margarine tubs and yoghurt pots
Metals
You CAN recycle:
- Metal cans - drink cans, food cans, pet food cans
- Aluminium aerosols (should be empty) - deodorant, cleaning products, hair products
- Foil - food containers, take away trays, soft foil (should be clean and scrunched up)
Card and Paper
You CAN recycle:
- Paper - junk mail, office paper, newspapers, magazines, telephone directories, paperback books
- Cardboard - brown card, glossy printed card, egg boxes, inner tubes from toilet and kitchen rolls
You can't recycle
You CAN'T recycle (at home in your green bin):
- Glass
- Black and brown plastic
- Black bin bags
- Compostable/biodegradable plastic
- Kitchen food waste
- Shredded paper
- Garden waste
- Wood or timber
- Dirty food cartons
- Hot paper coffee cups (plastic lined hot drinks cups used in high street coffee shops, fast food outlets and supermarkets)
- Electrical items (including batteries)
- Textiles (for example: clothes, shoes, belts and bags)
- Polystyrene
- Syringes/needles
- Any other household waste
Other information
Here are some useful links to help make it easier to recycle in Leeds:
Leeds City Council information on what goes in your green bin
Leeds City Council's A to Z of reusing, recycling and waste disposal
Download the Leeds Bins App on iOS or Android
Get waste updates by adding your name to this Council mailing list