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Luton Borough Council

What goes in each bin

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Do you live in a flat?

Putting the right rubbish in the right bin helps us to recycle properly. It is your responsibility to put the right things in the right bin. We won't collect bins with the wrong types of rubbish in them.

What you put in each bin is determined on whether you live in a flat or house. Have a look to see what rubbish goes where.

Different properties have a different selection of bins. Flats receive weekly refuse collections and fortnightly recycling collection.

Please put all your rubbish inside the bins provided

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What can you recycle?

  • mix paper including loose; shredded paper (e.g. newspaper, books, directories, envelopes)
  • cardboard (e.g. cereal boxes, egg boxes, cardboard boxes, please  remember to squash them)
  • food tins and drink cans (please remember to rinse and squash)
  • empty aerosols
  • clean aluminium foil
  • plastic bottles only (e.g. shampoo, washing-up liquid, milk, fizzy drink, water bottles, bleach and cleaning products bottles, cooking oil bottles, detergent and fabric conditioner bottles etc. – lids and tops are recycled either left on or off)
  • juice and milk cartoons or tetra packs
  • textiles and clothes (please put them inside clear recycling sack)

If you do not have a recycling bin at your block of flats please contact us on 01582 510 333 with your managing agent or Landor’s contact details.

The refuse bins are only to be used for waste that cannot be recycled or composted

Please do not put the following in your refuse bins:  

  • any recyclables
  • building materials
  • soil and rubble
  • some types of clinical waste
  • asbestos
  • large bulky items (e.g. furniture) – please arrange bulky waste collection
  • electrical items – please take them to your household waste and recycling centre
  • toxic/hazardous materials such as car batteries, motor oil, paint, corrosive materials – please take them to household waste and recycling centre
  • hot ash (can go in the refuse bin once cooled) 

Please note: the majority of the above items can be taken to your nearest household waste and recycling centre , free of charge, however you may be required to apply for permit if using a van or a trailer.

Please make sure you put all of your rubbish bags inside the bins to keep the shared areas clean and tidy and free from rats.

For a more detailed list of what goes in your bin visit our A to Z of recycling.

Click the button below if you need to re-order more clear sacks.

Re-order more sacks

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Do you live in a house?

Enough space should be provided to enable the storage of bins away from the public realm and street scene, and for bins to then be placed at a designated collection point on collection days.

Here is a list of items that go in each bin.

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Your green recycling bin is collected fortnightly

What goes in?

Please remember Wash, Squash and Recycle  

  • mix paper including loose shredded paper (e.g. newspaper, books, directories, envelopes)
  • cardboard (e.g. cereal boxes, egg boxes, cardboard boxes, please remember to squash them)
  • food tins and drink cans (please remember to rinse and squash)
  • empty aerosols
  • clean aluminium foil
  • plastic bottles only (e.g. shampoo, washing-up liquid, milk, fizzy drink, water bottles, bleach and cleaning products bottles, cooking oil bottles, detergent and fabric conditioner bottles etc. – lids and tops are recycled either left on or off)
  • juice and milk cartoons or tetra packs
  • textiles and clothes (please put them inside clear recycling sack)
    If in doubt, leave it out 

Remember to place your items in the recycling bin loose. No plastic bags please.

What you should not put in your recycling bin 

    X nappies
    X black bags, rubbish
    X food waste
    X wood and garden waste
    X building waste
    X rubble, hardcore, soil
    X glass bottles and jars
    X other glass (e.g. mirrors, plates, glasses)
    X polystyrene
    X carpets, mattresses and furniture
    X plastic bags, other plastic packaging or rigid plastic 
    X rigid plastic like toys

From March 2021 you will need to sign up to our paid for garden waste collection service if you would like your garden waste bin to be collected.

This is an opt-in service, so you only pay if you wish to use it. If you do not wish to subscribe, you can take your garden waste to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (Tidy Tip). You may also wish to consider home composting. We will also be offering 2,000 free composters to households through local community groups, more information about the scheme will be provided later. You can also use the council’s subsidy on home compost bins.

What goes in: 

  • grass cuttings
  • hedge clippings
  • plants
  • leaves
  • flowers and weeds
  • branches up to four inches thick
  • If in doubt, leave it out 

What you should not put in your brown bin: 

    X treated wood
    X fence posts and panels
    X bits of shed and window and door frames
    X food waste including vegetable peelings
    X plastic bags
    X plant pots and garden equipment
    X soil and rubble

Your glass collection box is collected monthly.

What goes in: 

  • glass bottles (wine, beer, cooking oil and other glass drink bottles
  • glass jars (jam, chantey, baby food jars, cooking sauces, pickles jars etc.)  

If in doubt, leave it out

What you should not put in your black box:  

    X glasses
    X mirrors and windows
    X crockery like cups, mugs and plates
    X pyrex dishes
    X spectacles
    X light bulbs
    X plant pots

Your black waste bin is collected fortnightly.

The refuse bins are only to be used for waste that cannot be recycled or composted.

Please do NOT put the following in your refuse bins: 

Please note: the majority of the above items can be taken to your nearest Household Waste and Recycling Centre , free of charge, however you may be required to apply for permit if using a van or a trailer.

Don’t forget

We have a no side waste policy which means any waste that is placed alongside your bin will NOT be collected. All refuse must be contained within your bin with the lid closed.

If you are on a sack collection, we will only collect our black coloured sacks. Any additional household waste can be taken to your local household waste recycling centres , free of charge.

For a more detailed list visit our A to Z of recycling.


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A to Z of recycling

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Aerosols 

  • Tip: use pump sprays instead
  • Which bin: green bin 

Aluminium cans

  • Tip: wash and squash to prevent smells and protect wildlife
  • Which bin: green bin 

Aluminium foil

  • Tip: foil containers are reusable (freezing leftovers, seed trays)
  • Which bin: green bin 

Antifreeze

  • Tip: Unwanted anti-freeze to be placed in chemical waste container
  • Which bin: recycling centre 

Appliances

  • Tip: consider repairing, donating if appliance still works
  • Which bin: small and larger appliances take to the Household Waste Recycling Centre or book a bulky waste collection

Asbestos

  • Tip: avoid work that may include removing asbestos-based materials. Always seek professional help if you need to work near it
  • Which bin: Call 01582 510333 for waste collection. May be subject to quotable charge after supervisor sees items 

Ash

  • Tip: wood ash can be added to your compost heap a little at a time as it contains potash which is useful for plant growth
  • Which bin: wood ash add to compost , coal ash (when cool please bag up) add to black bin

 

Baby goods

  • Tip: good condition baby clothes, toys and equipment can be passed on or donated to local charity shop
  • Which bin: local charity shop or nursery 

Bags

  • Tip: always keep a shopping or carrier bag with you so you don’t accept more
  • Which bin: black bin for plastic bags. Green bin for paper bags 

Batteries

  • Tip: use rechargeable batteries wherever possible, and appliances that use renewable energy
  • Which bin: recycling centre 

Bedding and blankets

  • Tip: donate unwanted good quality bedding to local charities. If in poor condition can be donated to the RSPCA or to the Dogs Trust for animal bedding.
  • Which bin: recycling centre (textiles bank) 

Beds

  • Tip: consider donating unwanted beds (in reasonable condition, with fire label still attached). May be able to be collected. Call 01582 510333 to book and pay for collection. Freecycle is another way to pass on unwanted items
  • Which bin: recycling centre, if in poor condition 

Beverage cartons

  • Tip: because of the extra materials used in paper cups and cartons on the high street, they are not suitable for recycling with other cardboard
  • Which bin: green bin 

Bicycles

  • Tip: pass unwanted bicycles on to friends or relatives
  • Which bin: recycling centre 

Books

  • Tip: use library to reduce amount of unwanted books. Consider donating to local charity shop
  • Which bin: recycling centre 

Bottles and jars

  • Tip: can be washed and cleaned for other food purposes.
  • Which bin: black box 

Bricks

  • Tip: bricks can be cleaned and used for projects around the house. Charges may apply for disposing bricks and rubble at recycling sites.
  • Which bin: recycling centre 

Brochures

  • Which bin: green bin  

Bubblewrap

  • Tip: can be used to protect plants from frost
  • Which bin: green bin 

Building materials

  • Tip: Many building materials (bricks, large pieces of stone, doors and windows) can be reused around the house and garden. Charges may apply for disposing of some types of rubbish at household recycling sites including bricks and rubble
  • Which bin: recycling centre 

Bulky waste

  • Tip: consider donating large furniture and electrical appliances. May be able to be collected. Call 01582 510333 to book and pay for collection. Freecycle is another way to pass on unwanted items
  • Which bin: recycling centre 

Cans

  • Tip: wash and squash to prevent smells and protect wildlife
  • Which bin: green bin

Car batteries

  • Tip: though they have lost the ability to power a car, they still have enough energy to power smaller items. Could also be used to power solar panels, as a budget solution.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Cardboard

  • Tip: can be used as animal bedding, ripped up and added to compost heap, and sheets can be used as mulch to supress weeds.
  • Which bin: green bin. Large corrugated cardboard should flattened and taken to recycling centre

Cards

  • Tip: consider reusing as gift tags. Cards with glitter, glue, over-printed in foil or a 3D image cannot be recycled
  • Which bin: green bin

Carpet

  • Tip: unwanted carpets and rugs can be sold or given to charity shops
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Carrier bags

  • Tip: always keep a few carrier bags with you so you don’t accept more
  • Which bin: black bin

Cars

  • Tip: if disposing of your car, find your nearest Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). If beyond repair, visit local scrap merchant.

Cartons

  • Tip: because of the extra materials used in paper cups on the high street, they are not suitable for recycling with other cardboard
  • Which bin: green bin

Chairs

  • Tip: donate unwanted chair in reasonable condition to a local re-use centre. Armchairs must have fire label attached.
  • Which bin: recycling centre if in poor condition

Chemicals

  • Tip: try to use non-toxic materials, and never dispose of chemicals down the sink.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Christmas trees

  • Tip: donate artificial Christmas trees to charity shops
  • Which bin: take real Christmas trees to the recycling centre.

Christmas waste

  • Tip: reduce waste by buying cards made from recycled card, and reusing good quality wrapping paper. Reuse old cards to make gift tags and new cards
  • Which bin: green bin, excluding cards with foil and glitter

Clothing

  • Tip: donate clean, good condition clothes to charity shops
  • Which bin: all textiles, even if ripped, go in the textiles bank at recycling centre

Comics

  • Tip: donate to friends, relative, colleagues or local doctor’s surgery. May also have resale value online
  • Which bin: green bin

Compacts discs (CDs)

  • Tip: Working CDs can be donated to charity shops. Many online services may also offer CD recycling services
  • Which bin: black bin

Compost and compost bins

  • Tip: try making your own compost from fruit and vegetable peelings, grass cutting, garden prunings etc. For more information and to order a compost bin, call 0844 571 4444.

Computers

  • Tip: consider donating unwanted computer equipment. May be able to be collected. Call 01582 510333 to book and pay for collection. Freecycle is another way to pass on unwanted items
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Cooking oil

  • Tip: do not pour it down the drain. Can create blockages. Can be remade into biodiesel, or used as a substitute for creosote.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Crockery, ceramics, china

  • Tip: good enough condition crockery, ceramics or china can be donated to charity shops
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Domestic appliances

  • Tip: remove batteries before recycling, and consider donating if in good condition. May be able to be collected. Call 01582 510333 to book and pay for collection. Freecycle is another way to pass on unwanted items
  • Which bin: small appliances can be put in the green bin. Large electrical appliances can be taken to the recycling centre

Drink cartons

  • Tip: because of the extra materials used in paper cups and cartons on the high street, they are not suitable for recycling with other cardboard
  • Which bin: green bin

Duvets

  • Tip: donate unwanted good quality bedding to local charities. If in poor condition can be donated to the RSPCA or to the Dogs Trust for animal bedding.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Engine oil

  • Tip: do not pour down drain, as it can be used to create biodiesel.
  • Which bin: recycling centre 

Fluorescent tubes

  • Which bin: recycling centre

Foil

  • Tip: foil containers are reusable (freezing leftovers, seed trays)
  • Which bin: green bin

Food waste

  • Tip: reduce food waste by planning meals, making smaller portions and freezing leftovers. Some food waste, such as fruit skins, cannot be put into brown bin, as they contain pesticides which would contaminate the collection.
  • Which bin: black bin

Foreign coins

  • Tip: can be donated to charity shops, or given to friends and relatives for their holidays

Fridges and freezers

  • Tip: if in working order, consider donating to a local reuse organisation. May be able to be collected. Call 01582 510333 to book and pay for collection. Freecycle is another way to pass on unwanted items
  • Which bin: recycling centre, in unable to donate

Furniture

  • Tip: Consider donating if in good enough condition. May be able to be collected. Call 01582 510333 to book and pay for collection. Freecycle is another way to pass on unwanted items. Mattresses, armchairs and sofas should all have their fire label, and free of stains
  • Which bin: recycling centre. Wood, MDF and chipboard in timber bin. Metal in the scrap bin. Mattresses and other soft furniture in the non-recyclable skip.

Garden chemicals

  • Tip: Try to use non-toxic materials, and never dispose of chemicals down the sink.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Garden waste

  • Tip: Garden Waste includes grass cuttings, clippings, hedge prunings, small branches, etc. Biodegradable and can be home composted at home
  • Which bin: brown bin

Gas cylinders/bottles

  • Tip: Do not place in bin. Should be returned to the retailer or supplier. The common few are Calor on 01582 652525, BOC on 0800 111 333 & Flogas on 0800 574574.

Gift wrapping paper

  • Tip: reuse good quality wrapping paper. Use string and wool to wrap presents, as tape stuck on wrapping paper cannot be recycled.
  • Which bin: green bin

Glass (sheets i.e. windows)

  • Tip: can be reused to make row covers (cloches) for gardening. Do not put in bottle banks.
  • Which bin: recycling centre, non-recyclable waste container.

Glass jars and bottles

  • Tip: can be washed and cleaned for reuse purposes.
  • Which bin: black box. Some items (e.g. drinking glasses and Pyrex containers) cannot be recycled and should be placed in the black bin, if not being reused or donated.

Glasses (Spectacles)

  • Tip: try to reuse old frames that you may like. Many opticians will collect unwanted spectacles for donation to charities

Grass cuttings

  • Tip: can be home composted, but needs equal quantities of dry materials (such as twigs, leaves and scrunched up newspaper to keep from smelling and becoming soggy.
  • Which bin: brown bin

Greeting cards

  • Tip: consider reusing as gift tags. Cards with glitter, glue, over-printed in foil or a 3D image cannot be recycled
  • Which bin: green bin

Hair dryers and straighteners

  • Tip: consider repairing, or donating if in working order
  • Which bin: green bin

Hardcore

  • Tip: bricks can be cleaned and reused around the house for various projects. Charges may apply for disposing of bricks and rubble at recycling centre.
  • Which bin: skips marked Brick and Rubble at recycling centre.

Hazardous waste

  • Tip: should be dealt with appropriately. See Asbestos and Chemicals. You can contact the Environment Agency on 0870 850 6506 for advice on disposing of hazardous waste.

Hearing aids

  • Tip: Collection points often found in Doctor’s surgeries, Hospital audiology departments, Private hearing specialists and some charity shops.

Herbicides

  • Tip: Try to use non-toxic materials, and never dispose of chemicals down the sink.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Household chemicals

  • Tip: Try to use non-toxic materials, and never dispose of chemicals down the sink.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Hypodermic needles

  • Tip: return these to your doctor’s surgery. Do not put in rubbish bin or recycling.

Inkjet cartridges

  • Tip: you can refill and reuse inkjet cartridges by buying a refill kit or visiting your local cartridge retailer
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Irons

  • Tip: consider donating, if in working order
  • Which bin: green bin

Jam jars

  • Tip: can be washed and cleaned for reuse purposes
  • Which bin: green bin

Jewellery

  • Tip: can be donated to charity shops

Jigsaw puzzles

  • Tip: donate complete jigsaw puzzles to local charity shop

Junk mail

  • Tip: you can stop most junk mail by registering with the Mail Preference Service
  • Which bin: green bin, after removing all packaging.

Kettle

  • Tip: donate to local charity shop
  • Which bin: green bin

Kitchen foil

  • Tip: foil containers are reusable (freezing leftovers, seed trays)
  • Which bin: green bin

Kitchen roll

  • Tip: try to use kitchen roll made from recycled paper
  • Which bin: the kitchen roll can be added to a compost heap/bin. The inner tube goes in the green bin

Knives

  • Tip: can be passed on to your workplace or community centre to discourage use of plastic cutlery. May also be donated to charity shops
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Lamp and light fittings

  • Tip: If in working order, can be donated to charity shops
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Leaflets

  • Which bin: green bin

Light bulbs

  • Tip: use energy saving light bulbs wherever possible, to save money on energy and buying light bulbs
  • Which bin: recycling centre. Incandescent bulbs cannot be recycled

Magazines

  • Tip: donate to friends, relative, colleagues or local doctor’s surgery
  • Which bin: green bin

Medical waste

  • Tip: There is no charge for removal of clinical waste from domestic property. For more information or to arrange a collection date email [email protected] or call 01582 546863

Medicines

  • Tip: do not flush down toilet, do no put old medicine in dustbin, and do not put medicine bottles with other glass bottles. Return unused medicine and bottles to the pharmacy

Metal

  • Tip: you can reuse small metal containers for other storage purposes.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Microwaves

  • Tip: consider donating if in working order. May be able to be collected. Call 01582 510333 to book and pay for collection. Freecycle is another way to pass on unwanted items
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Milk containers

  • Tip: glass milk bottles can be returned to your milkman.
  • Which bin: plastic containers in green bin

Mobile phones and accessories

  • Tip: some charities run postal collection services for unwanted phones. Many supermarkets also have collection services.
  • Which bin: green bin

Monitors

  • Tip: consider donating large furniture and electrical appliances. May be able to be collected. Call 01582 510333 to book and pay for collection. Freecycle is another way to pass on unwanted items
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Nappies

    Tip: Can take up to 500 years to decompose. Consider using cloth, re-usable nappies, over disposable ones
  • Which bin: Bag before putting in black bin

Needles

  • Tip: return these to your doctor’s surgery. Do not put in rubbish bin or recycling.

Newspapers

  • Tip: Can be reused for many alternate uses, e.g. animal bedding or art projects e.g. paper mache.
  • Which bin: green bin

Office paper

  • Tip: Confidential information should be destroyed (shredded) before placing in recycling bin.
  • Which bin: Office recycling bin, or green bin.

Oil

  • Tip: do not pour down drain, as it can be used to create biodiesel.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Organic waste

  • Tip: see composting and food waste

Oven cleaner

  • See chemicals

Paint

  • Tip: use an online paint calculator to figure out how many litres you’ll need, to prevent wastage. Consider donating excess paint to friends of local projects.
  • Which bin: Liquid paint cannot be disposed of. Harden with paint hardener or add sawdust or soil, with an open lid, before disposing at recycling centre

Paper

  • Tip: Consider using recycled paper, as it requires 28% less energy to make than virgin paper, and uses less chemical treatment
  • Which bin: green bin, if not laminated

Paper hot drink cups

  • Tip: because of the extra materials used in paper cups on the high street, they are not suitable for recycling with other cardboard. Usually only the lid and the sleeve are recyclable.
  • Which bin: sleeve and lid in green bin. Cup in black bin.

Peat

  • Tip: Peat bogs are rare habitats that are being destroyed to produce peat, so pleasing try to avoid buying or using it. Unwanted peat, it can be added to your compost heap or spread on your garden.

Pesticides

  • Tip: see chemicals

Photographs

  • Tip: cannot be recycled due to the plastic laminate on them being difficult to remove at paper pulping plants.
  • Which bin: black bin

Pillows

  • Tip: consider donating to charity shop or offering on Freecycle if in good condition. Feathers may also be composted
  • Which bin: recycling centre if in poor condition

Plasterboard

  • Tip: charges may apply for depositing some types of rubbish at recycling centre, such as plasterboard.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Plastic bottles

  • Tip: remove lids, wash and squash bottles, to reduce odours, and increase the load collected.
  • Which bin: green bin

Plastic carrier bags

  • Tip: try to use reusable carrier bags, and always carry a few to reduce the need to take more. May also be used as bin liners.
  • Which bin: black bin

Plastic cups

  • Tip: avoid using plastic cups, by using glasses instead.
  • Which bin: Plastic types 1 (PET/PETE), 2 (HDPE/PE-HD) and 4 (LDPE/PE-LD ) can be placed in green bin. These numbers can be found on a triangle on the cup.

Plastic packaging

  • Which bin: see Plastic Trays, Plastic Bottles, Plastic Yoghurt Pots

Plastic trays

  • Tip: try to buy loose fruit and vegetables, and meat and fish from the butcher/fishmonger to avoid buying over packaged food
  • Which bin: Plastic types 1 (PET/PETE), 2 (HDPE/PE-HD) and 4 (LDPE/PE-LD ) can be placed in green bin. These numbers can be found on a triangle on the cup.

Plastic wraps

  • Tip: a large proportion of plastic wrap packaging is difficult to recycle, as it is not clear which type of plastic it is.
  • Which bin: large supermarkets now provide collection containers for a wide range of plastic packaging, e.g. bags and film from pasta, dried fruit, paper products, salad, fruit and vegetable products etc.

Plastic yoghurt pots

  • Tip: consider reusing when possible, such as for plant pots or school projects.
  • Which bin: some yoghurt pots may have thin plastic strengthened with cardboard. The cardboard can go in your green bin. As most yoghurt pots are type 5 plastic, they should go in your black bin.

Polystyrene chips

  • Tip: considering reusing whenever possible, or passing on to someone who can.
  • Which bin: black bin

Pop bottles

  • Which bin: if plastic can be washed, squashed and placed in green bin. If glass, can be placed in black box.

Prams, pushchairs and cots

  • Tip: Consider donating if in good enough condition. Cots may be able to be collected. Call 01582 510333 to book and pay for collection. Freecycle is another way to pass on unwanted items
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Printer cartridges

  • Tip: you can refill and reuse cartridges by buying a refill kit or visiting your local cartridge retailer
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Quilts

  • Tip: donate unwanted good quality bedding to local charities. If in poor condition can be donated to the RSPCA or to the Dogs Trust for animal bedding.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Radiators

  • Tip: consider donating electric oil-filled radiator, if in good condition.

Radios

  • Tip: consider donating, if in good working order
  • Which bin: green bin

Rags

  • Tip: Can be reused at home as cloths to clean and/or dust with.
  • Which bin: all textiles, even if ripped, go in the textiles bank at recycling centre

Rechargeable batteries

  • Tip: use rechargeable batteries wherever possible, and appliances that use renewable energy
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Record players

  • Tip: If in good working order, consider donating.
  • Which bin: green bin

Records and tapes

  • Tip: consider donating to charity shops
  • Which bin: black bin

Refrigerators

  • Tip: if broken, consider donating to a local reuse organisation
  • Which bin: if you can’t donate it, send to the recycling centre

Sawdust

  • Tip: sawdust from untreated timber can be used as animal bedding, or can be added to compost heap.
  • Which bin: from untreated timber, brown bin. From MDF, chipboard, other treated timber, and containing animal waste, black bin.

Sharps

  • Tip: return these to your doctor’s surgery. Do not put in rubbish bin or recycling.

Shoes

  • Tip: If in good condition, consider donating to nearest charity shop. Tie pairs together and bag before taking to textile bank or recycling centre.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Shredded paper

  • Tip: Can be used as wood stove kindling.
  • Which bin: green bin

Sideboards

  • Tip: consider donating, if in good enough condition.
  • Which bin: recycling centre if in poor condition

Sofas

    Tip: Consider donating, if in good enough condition, and still has fire label
  • Which bin: recycling site, if in poor condition

Spectacles

  • Tip: try to reuse old frames that you may like
  • Which bin: many opticians will collect unwanted spectacles for donation to charities

Stamps

  • Tip: many charities collect postage stamps. Send to local Oxfam shop, or alternatively for Royal National Institute of Blind People send to:
  • Stamp Recycling
  • PO Box 185
  • Benfleet
  • SS7 9BH
  • Telephone
  • 0845 3450054.

Syringes

  • Tip: return these to your doctor’s surgery. Do not put in rubbish bin or recycling.

Table

  • Tip: consider donating, if in good enough condition
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Telephone directories

  • Which bin: green bin

Televisions

  • Tip: consider donating, if in good enough condition
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Tetra paks

  • Which bin: green bin

Textiles

  • Tip: consider donating unwanted textiles (clothing, bedding, towels, etc.) to local charity shop, if in good condition
  • Which bin: recycling centre if in poor condition

Tiles

  • Tip: surplus tiles can be broken up and used for garden projects. Charges may apply if disposing of at recycling centre
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Timber

  • Tip: reuse surplus wood whenever possible. Offcuts of clean timber can be used in wood burning stoves.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Toasters

  • Tip: consider donating, if in good condition
  • Which bin: green bin

Toner cartridges

  • Tip: you can refill and reuse toner cartridges by buying a refill kit or visiting your local cartridge retailer
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Tools (electrical)

  • Tip: consider donating, if your electrical tools are in working order.
  • Which bin: small electrical appliances can be placed in green bin

Tools (non–electrical)

  • Tip: consider offering to family and friends, or selling to scrap metal merchants
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Toys and games

  • Tip: avoid putting plastic toys with the plastic recycling at recycling centres. Consider donating if in suitable enough condition.

Tumble dryer

  • Tip: consider donating, if in good enough condition
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Tyres

  • Tip: charges may apply for disposing of tyres at recycling centre. Bicycle tyres may be free of charge.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

  • Which bin: most small WEEE items (electrical appliances) in Luton can be placed in the green bin, while larger items can be taken to the recycling centre.

Wardrobe

  • Tip: consider donating, if in good enough condition
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Washing machine

  • Tip: consider donating if in good working order
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Windows (UPVC)

  • Which bin: general waste at recycling centre

Windows (glass)

  • Tip: can be reused to make row covers (cloches) for gardening. Do not put in bottle banks.
  • Which bin: recycling centre, non-recyclable waste container.

Wood

  • Tip: reuse surplus wood whenever possible. Offcuts of clean timber can be used in wood burning stoves.
  • Which bin: recycling centre

Woody prunings

  • Tip: biodegradable and can be home composted at home
  • Which bin: brown bin

Wool

  • Tip: consider donating unwanted balls of knitting wool to charity shops. Old, damaged wool can be composted in compost bin/heap.

Writing paper

  • Tip: Consider using used writing paper as scrap, until unable to reasonably use.
  • Which bin: green bin

Yellow pages

  • Tip: Consider cancelling you telephone directory to save paper, and use online resources instead. To cancel Yellow Pages call 0800 671 444
  • Which bin: green bin

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Hazardous waste

Household hazardous waste includes any material discarded by a householder which puts human health or the environment at risk because of it’s chemical or biological nature.

Examples of hazardous household waste:

  • decorative paints, varnishes, woodstains and paint stripper
  • flammable liquids eg. white spirit, petrol and paraffin
  • garden chemicals and wood treatments (nb creosote and many garden chemicals have been withdrawn from use)
  • mouse or rat poisons
  • household chemicals eg. toilet cleaners, drain cleaners and bleaches
  • swimming pool chemicals eg. chlorine additives. pH adjusters and algicides
  • motoring products eg. antifreeze, brake or clutch fluid
  • asbestos 

General points:

  • do not dispose of any hazardous waste down the toilet, sink or drains
  • do not burn any hazardous waste on garden bonfires
  • never mix products
  • ensure that containers are properly labelled and instructions for use are followed
  • store chemicals safely and away from children and pets

Household waste and recycling centres will accept small quantities of certain types of household hazardous waste:

  • used motor oil
  • household and vehicle batteries
  • fluorescent tubes and low energy light bulbs
  • TV's and computers
  • fire extinguishers (except Halon type)
  • paint which has completely solidified (no liquid paint).

Please note: Oil based paint may still contain liquid paint under a skin

Tips for reducing quantities of household hazardous waste

  • does someone you know have a suitable product before purchasing
  • try to use up leftovers eg. by adding an extra coat of paint or passing on to someone else to use (check shelf life of product before passing on)
  • find safer alternatives eg. water based rather than oil based products
  • only purchase quantity of product required for job 

Asbestos collection and disposal

  • if you suspect you have asbestos in your home or on your property call 01582 510333 for further advice
  • if you are in a council owned property you will be put through to our building technical services team who deal with asbestos in council properties
  • if you are the homeowner or it is a privately owned property you will be put through to the strategic waste team, who will help to deal with your enquiry
  • you will be asked how much asbestos there is, number of sheets etc. Dependent upon the number or amount a charge for collection and disposal is required

 

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© 2024 Luton Council, Town Hall, Luton LU1 2BQ