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Recycling A to Z

Unsure if an item can be recycled? Don't know which bin it should go in?

Below you'll find a list of common items and how they can be recycled.

If there are any items or materials that are not covered by this list then please let us know by sending an email to recycling@haringey.gov.uk.

 

A

Aerosols

Aerosols can be recycled via:

Please remove the lids, as these cannot be recycled unfortunately.

Aluminium

Food tins, drink cans and clean foil can be recycled using:

Other aluminium items can be recycled using the scrap metal collections at the Reuse and Recycling Centres.

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B

Batteries

Please visit the battery disposal page.

Books

  • Donate to your local charity shop or library
  • Swap them over the Internet via the Read it Swap it website (see the external links section below)

Books can also be donated to the British Heart Foundation at the Reuse and Recycling Centres

Bottles and jars (glass)

Glass bottles and jars can be recycled via:

Bottles (plastic)

Plastic bottles can be recycled via:

Branches and twigs

Small branches and twigs can be recycled via:

Brass

Bubble wrap

This cannot be recycled, but you can use bubblewrap again to keep valuables safe. Also, when sending gifts through the mail, you can use bubblewrap and a normal envelope rather than having to buy a padded envelope.

Bulky items

Bulky items, such as mattresses and furniture, can be recycled via:

Do not dump bulky items on the street.

Business recycling

For details of private companies that offer recycling services for North London businesses see the advice for businesses pages.

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C

Cans and tins

Cans and tins can be recycled via:

Car batteries

Car batteries can be disposed of via:

Cardboard

Cardboard can be recycled via:

Carpets

Carpets cannot be recycled in Haringey. You can dispose of them via:

Please do not dump any old carpets in your front garden or on the street.

Carrier bags

Plastic carrier bags can be recycled via:

Plastic carrier bags can also be recycled at some supermarkets

Try to avoid plastic bags by using a 'bag for life' or cloth/canvas bag when you go shopping

Cartons

Drink cartons (such as 'Tetra Paks') can be recycled via:

CDs, DVDs and tapes

CDs, DVDs and tapes can be donated to the British Heart Foundation at the Reuse and Recycling Centres.

Cereal boxes

Cardboard cereal boxes can be recycled via:

CFLs

Christmas Tree Recycling

Visit our Christmas Tree Recycling page for more information.

China (plates, mugs etc.)

China items cannot be recycled, but if in good condition they can be donated to charity shops.

Civic Amenity sites

Haringey has two Reuse and Recycling Centres in Hornsey and Tottenham, where a wide range of items can be taken to be recycled, reused or disposed of. For more information on the materials accepted, locations and opening times, please visit the Reuse and Recycling Centres page.

Clear sack recycling collections

Residents living in flats above shops can recycle using clear sack collections. The clear sacks are collected at the same time and from the same location as black bags for refuse. To find out more please visit the recycling for flats above shops page.

The clear sacks are provided free of charge, with deliveries to all eligible properties roughly every three months. However, if you are running low on sacks and need to order some more, please use the Report A Problem page or contact the Veolia Haringey Contact Centre:

Tel: 020 8885 7700
Email: enquiries.haringey@veolia.co.uk

Cling film

Cling film cannot be recycled. Have you considered using a reusable tupperware box instead of cling film?

Clothes and shoes

Clothes and shoes can be recycled via:

Compost

Haringey residents can purchase discounted home composting bins through a national offer. For more information visit the home composting page.

Computers and monitors

Computers and monitors should be collected separately from general refuse, and can be recycled:

Corks

Corks cannot be recycled. Did you know that natural corks can be used to make your own notice board?

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D

Directories

Telephone directories can be recycled via:

Disposable nappies

Disposable nappies cannot be recycled, and 'biodegradable' disposable nappies should not be put into compost bins, garden waste bags or food waste boxes.

You can save money and waste by using washable cloth nappies. For more information visit the reusable nappies page.

Drinks bottles and cans

Glass and plastic drinks cans and bottles can be recycled via:

Dump

Haringey has two Reuse and Recycling Centres in Hornsey and Tottenham, where a wide range of items can be taken to be recycled, reused or disposed of. For more information on the materials accepted, locations and opening times, please visit the Reuse and Recycling Centres page.

Duvets and pillows

Duvets or pillows in good condition may be accepted at your local charity shop. They should not be put into clothes recycling banks.

DVDs, CDs and tapes

DVDs, CDs and tapes can be donated to the British Heart Foundation at the Reuse and Recycling Centres.

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E

Egg boxes

Cardboard egg boxes can be recycled via:

Plastic egg boxes cannot be recycled.

Egg shells

Egg shells can be recycled via:

Electrical items

Electrical items must be collected separately from general refuse.

Energy saving light bulbs

Envelopes

Try to reuse envelopes if you can. Most envelopes (including those with plastic windows) can be recycled via:

Please note that padded envelopes cannot be recycled.

Estate recycling

Near-entry recycling facilities and blue bag doorstep collections are now provided to almost all estate properties and at many privately-managed blocks of flats. For more information please visit the recycling for flats and estates page.

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F

Fabrics

Fabric can be recycled via:

Fat

Cooking fat can be recycled via:

The fat will be converted to fuel.

  • If you are unable to take the fat to a Reuse and Recycling Centre, you could try putting it in a sealed container, adding bird seed to it, leaving to solidify, and using it as a bird feeder
  • If you just need to dispose of the fat, put it in a sealed container and allow to cool, and then into your normal rubbish bin

Do not pour fat down the drain as this can cause blockages in your own pipes and in the main sewerage system.

Faxes

  • Fax paper can be recycled with normal paper.

To reduce unwanted faxes, register with the Fax Preference Service on 0845 0700 702 or visit the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) Online website - see external links section below.

Flats and estates

If you live in a flat or estate then you can recycle using near-entry facilities, clear sack collections (for flats above shops) or On-street recycling banks. For more information please visit the recycling for flats and estates page.

Foil

Clean foil can be recycled via:

Try to reuse kitchen foil whenever you can.

Food waste

Food waste can be recycled via:

Fridges and freezers

Fridges and freezers can be collected via:

Furniture

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G

Garden waste

Garden waste can be recycled via:

Gift wrap

Paper gift wrap can be recycled via:

Please avoid metallic or plastic wrapping as these cannot be recycled.

Glass (from mirrors and windows)

Glass from mirrors and windows cannot be recycled. This type of glass differs from that used in bottles and jars, and at the moment it cannot be processed by the UK recycling industry. Please dispose of window or mirror glass in your normal bin or at the Reuse and Recycling Centres.

Glass bottles and jars

Glass bottles and jars can be recycled via:

Glasses

Unwanted spectacles and glasses can be taken to the Reuse and Recycling Centres for donation to organisations that will reuse them in developing countries.

Grass cuttings

Grass cuttings can be recycled via:

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H

Hazardous waste

Some materials are considered hazardous eg paint, asbestos and chemicals. They must be disposed of separately. For more information, including details about the free collection service available to Haringey residents, please visit the hazardous waste page.

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I

Inkjet cartridges

Printer cartridges can be taken to the Reuse and Recycling Centres, from where they will be passed to an organisation that will refill and reuse them.

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J

Japanese Knotweed

See the Japanese Knotweed page.

Jars

Glass jars can be recycled via:

Juice bottles

Recycling wheelie bin collection

Juice cartons

Juice cartons can be recycled via:

Junk mail

Junk mail can be recycled via:

You can reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by:

  • Signing up to the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) - please see the external links section below. You can also register previous tenants of your property with this service.
  • Requesting a free 'No Junk Mail' sticker by sending an email to environmental.resources@haringey.gov.uk
  • Asking to be removed from the mailing lists of any companies who regularly contact you.

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K

Kitchen towels

Please do not recycle any used kitchen towels. If you can, wipe up spillages with a reusable cloth, and if you are using kitchen towels then remember to look for products made from recycled paper.

Kitchen waste

Kitchen waste can be recycled via:

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L

Leaves

Leaves can be recycled via:

Light bulbs

Traditional light bulbs can not be recycled. Please dispose of these with your refuse.

Visit the energy saving light bulb disposal page for information on the safe use and disposal of these items.

Loo rolls

The cardboard inner tube of toilet rolls can be recycled via:

Remember to choose recycled toilet paper products wherever possible.

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M

Magazines

Magazines can be recycled via:

Margarine tubs

Margarine tubs can be recycled via:

Mattresses

Mattresses can be collected via:

Do not dump mattresses on the street.

Metal

Food tins and drink cans can be recycled via:

Other scrap metal items can be recycled via:

Milk bottles

If you have milk delivered to your door then please put the empty bottles outside your door to be collected by that service.

Other milk bottles can be recycled via:

Mirrors

Any unwanted mirrors that are still intact could be used by someone else:

  • Donate to your local charity shop
  • List the item on the Freecycle website (see external links section below) or an Internet auction website.

Large broken mirrors, which are too big to fit in your wheeled bin, can be disposed of via:

Please do not try to recycle any broken glass from mirrors. The glass used to make mirrors and windows differs from the glass used in bottles and jars, and at the moment it cannot be processed by the UK recycling industry.

Missed refuse or recycling collections

If your refuse or recycling was put out on time and in the correct place but has not been collected, then please report the missed collection to us so that we can come back to clear it. Missed collections can be reported using the Report A Problem page, or by contacting the Veolia Haringey Contact Centre:

Tel: 020 8885 7700
Email: enquiries.haringey@veolia.co.uk

Mobile phones

Mobile phones cab be recycled via:

To help reduce waste, avoid upgrading your mobile phone if it is still working well and does everything you need.

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N

Nappies

Disposable nappies cannot be recycled, and 'biodegradable' disposable nappies should not be put into compost bins, garden waste bags or food waste boxes.

You can save money and waste by using washable cloth nappies. For more information visit the reusable nappies page.

Newspapers

Newspapers can be recycled via:

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O

Oil

Engine oil and cooking oil can be disposed of via:

The oil will be converted to fuel.

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P

Packaging

A lot of packaging materials are not recyclable, so try to choose products that use less packaging than others. For advice on how to do this, visit the reducing your waste page.

Paint

Visit the paint disposal page, where there are also details on how to reuse paint through the Community RePaint scheme.

Paper

Pet food

Pet food (not in tins or any packaging) can be recycled via:

If your pet food has come in a can or tin then please remember to rinse this out and recycle it.

Plastic

Plastic pots, tubs, trays, bags and bottles can be recycled via:

Plastic film and wrapping cannot be recycled.

Plastic bags

Recycling wheelie bin collections

Plastic carrier bags can also be recycled at some supermarkets.

Try to avoid plastic bags by using a 'bag for life' or cloth/canvas bag when you go shopping.

Plastic bottles

Plastic bottles can be recycled via:

Polystyrene foam

Polystyrene cannot be recycled. Try to choose products which use less polystyrene and packaging materials to reduce your waste.

Printer cartridges

Printer cartridges can be taken to the Reuse and Recycling Centres, from where they will be passed to an organisation that will refill and reuse them.

'Pyrex' dishes

These cannot be recycled, so please do not put them into your recycling wheelie bin or sack If you break a dish then wrap it carefully and dispose of it in your rubbish bin.

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Q

Questions

If you have any questions on recycling then please contact the Veolia Haringey Contact Centre:

Tel: 020 8885 7700
Email: enquiries.haringey@veolia.co.uk

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R

Real nappies

Reusable cloth nappies save waste and can save you money.

To help you start using reusable nappies, Haringey is part of the Real Nappies for London scheme, which means that parents can claim a voucher for the purchase of the nappies. For more information visit the reusable nappies page.

Rubble

Rubble can be disposed of via:

This is for household waste only.

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S

Schools recycling

All Haringey schools have recycling facilities for paper, cardboard, many plastic items, tins, cans, glass bottles and jars.

Shopping bags

Plastic carrier bags can be recycled via:

Plastic carrier bags can also be recycled at some supermarkets.

Try to avoid plastic bags by using a 'bag for life' or cloth/canvas bag when you go shopping

Spectacles and sunglasses

Unwanted spectacles and glasses can be taken to the Reuse and Recycling Centres for donation to organisations that will reuse them in developing countries.

Styrofoam

Styrofoam (polystyrene foam) cannot be recycled. Try to choose products which use less polystyrene and packaging materials to reduce your waste.

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T

Takeaway food containers

Most takeaway food containers cannot be recycled.

Clean foil or plastic cartons can be recycled via:

Paper and cardboard takeaway containers should only be recycled if they are completely free of food.

Polystyrene containers should not be put into the recycling bin or sack

Some takeaway outlets use sturdy plastic boxes with lids. These can be very useful for storing other leftovers and bringing lunch to work, so try not to throw them away.

Tapes, CDs and DVDs

Tapes, CDs and DVDs can be donated to the British Heart Foundation at the Reuse and Recycling Centres.

Televisions and monitors

Televisions and monitors should be collected separately from general refuse, and can be recycled:

'Tetra Pak' cartons

Drink cartons (such as 'Tetra Paks') can be recycled via:

Textiles

Timber and wood

Timber and wood can be disposed of via:

Tip

Haringey has two Reuse and Recycling Centres in Hornsey and Tottenham, where a wide range of items can be taken to be recycled, reused or disposed of. For more information on the materials accepted, locations and opening times, please visit the Reuse and Recycling Centres page.

Toilet paper

The cardboard inner tube of toilet rolls can be recycled via:

Remember to choose recycled toilet paper products wherever possible.

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U

Unaddressed mail

Unaddressed mail can be recycled via:

You can reduce the amount of unaddressed mail you receive by:

  • Signing up to the Mailing Preference Service - please see the external links section below. You can also register previous tenants of your property with this service.
  • Requesting a free 'No Junk Mail' sticker by sending an email to environmental.resources@haringey.gov.uk
  • Asking to be removed from the mailing lists of any companies who regularly contact you.

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V

Vegetable peelings

Vegetable peelings can be recycled via:

Videos and DVDs

Any unwanted videos or DVDs could be used by someone else:

  • Donate to your local charity shop
  • List the item on the Freecycle website (see external links section below) or an Internet auction website.

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W

Washing up liquid bottles

All types of plastic bottles can be recycled via:

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X

Xylophones (and other musical instruments)

Musical instruments can be recycled via:

  • Donate to your local charity shop
  • List the item on the Freecycle website (see external links section below) or an Internet auction website.

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Y

Yellow Pages

Yellow Pages (and other directories) can be recycled via:

Yoghurt pots

Yoghurt pots can be recycled via:

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Z

Zero Waste Heroes

Zero Waste Heroes are residents who are committed to reducing the amount of waste they put out for collection each week, whether for recycling or disposal. Visit the Reducing Your Waste page for advice on how to cut the amount of waste you generate.

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If there are any items or materials that are not covered by this list then please let us know by sending an email to recycling@haringey.gov.uk, or use the feedback box at the bottom of this page.

The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links

If you want to give comments on the service itself please visit our Contact page.