Wealden District Council
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What Goes in Each Bin

Recycling Bin – clean, dry and loose

Yes please

Extra recycling can be left at the side of your bin in clear or white plastic bags (not black bags).

Cardboard Boxes left at the side of the bin should be flattened and folded/cut to a size which would fit inside the Recycling Bin

No thanks

  • Food waste
  • Garden waste
  • Textiles and shoes
  • Black plastic bags
  • Polystyrene/bubble wrap
  • Compostable plastic
  • Medicine blister packs
  • Cling film
  • Hard plastics (e.g. toys and plant pots)
  • Foil-lined plastic pouches and bags (e.g. crisp packets)
  • Food/drinks cartons
  • Pyrex/ovenproof glassware
  • Drinking glasses and crockery
  • Window panes and mirrors
  • Light bulbs

Please note, recycling bins issued before April 2013 are black.

Rubbish Bin

Yes please

Non-recyclable waste such as

  • Food waste
  • Cat litter/dog waste
  • Disposable nappies

No thanks

  • Garden waste
  • Builders’ rubble
  • Soil
  • Hot ashes
  • Electrical items

Please put cat litter/dog waste, nappies, cold ashes and vacuum cleaner waste into bags before placing them into your bin.

Batteries and Small Electrical Items

Place batteries and electrical items in separate bags on top of your rubbish or recycling bin .

Yes please

  • Small household batteries
  • Toasters
  • Mobile phones
  • Hairdryers

No thanks

  • Larger electrical items (e.g. TVs, microwave ovens)

Always place batteries in a separate bag. If you can remove batteries from items first please do so!

Please take any larger electrical items which don’t fit into a carrier bag to a Household Waste and Recycling Site.

Garden Waste Bin – Chargeable Service

Yes please

  • Grass cuttings
  • Hedge trimmings
  • Shrub and flower cuttings
  • Branches (up to 10cm/4″ diameter)
  • Weeds
  • Roots
  • Leaves
  • Herbivorous pet bedding (not paper)

No thanks

  • Food waste (e.g. vegetable peelings)
  • Plastics
  • Soil/compost
  • Rubble
  • Cardboard
  • Paper
  • Nappies
  • Cat litter/dog waste
  • Treated and painted wood
  • Japanese knotweed

For more information on the your recycling service please see our frequently asked questions page on the waste collection service

Fireworks

Each year we get asked what to do with unused or damaged fireworks and whether they can be taken to Household Waste and Recycling Sites.

There is a significant fire risk associated with fireworks and sparklers entering the waste management chain. In compliance with the law, please ensure you dispose of any used fireworks safely. See our frequently asked questions below which explain how.

Whilst we wish encourage recycling of any packaging, this must be done correctly to minimise the risk of fires and contamination of recycling.

Frequently asked questions

How do you dispose of used fireworks and sparklers?  

Wear strong gloves and use tongs to collect used fireworks and sparklers.

  • SOAK IT – soak them in water overnight to ensure there is no chance of them setting anything alight;
  • BAG IT – collect all the spent fireworks in a bag; and
  • BIN IT – put them in the rubbish bin (not the recycling bin).

Never ever put anything hot in your bin, such as fireworks, sparklers, bonfire/BBQ ashes or disposable BBQs.

How do you dispose of unused fireworks?

The safest way to dispose of unused fireworks is to set them off in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, then follow the guidance above for used fireworks.

If you have a large quantity of unused fireworks, for example from a cancelled display, you may need to contact a specialist disposal company to collect and dispose of them in a safe manner.

Please remember to store any unused fireworks away from sources of ignition and other combustible items. Keep them secure and don’t let them become wet or damp.

Unused fireworks cannot be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Sites and you must not put them in your rubbish bin at home.

Can fireworks be recycled?

Fireworks cannot be recycled, but you can recycle any cardboard or plastic film packaging that they come in as long as the packaging is completely empty.