Which bin to use and what to recycle

• What goes in which bin?
• What do the different bins look like?
  • Non-communal bins
  • Communal bins
• Bin containers for residents of flats above shops

What goes in which bin?

You have different bins for different items.

What your bins look like depends on whether or not you live in a block of flats. Please see below images of how each bin looks.

• Download our Recycling and waste guide for communal bins (PDF, 3MB)
• Download our Recycling and waste guide for non-communal bins (PDF, 4MB)

Food waste bin

In your food waste bin you can put:

• fruit and vegetables
• meat, fish and bones
• tea bags and coffee grounds
• bread, pasta and rice
• eggs and dairy products
• leftover food

General waste bin

In your general waste bin you can put:

• clingfilm
• cellophane
• crisp packets
• sanitary products
• polystyrene
• broken glass - carefully wrapped
• dog poo and cat litter
• nappies - non-reusable

Garden waste bin

In your garden waste bin, if you have one, you can put:

• grass cuttings and hedge clippings
• flowers and small branches
• leaves and prunings

Recycling bin

In your recycling bin you can put:

• paper and cardboard
• glass bottles and jars
• food tins, drink cans and aerosols
• plastic bottles
• food and drink cartons (tetrapacks)
• plastic food trays and containers such a yoghurt pots

If you are not sure exactly what can be recycled, check the A-Z on the North London Waste Authority website:

Find out what can be recycled (external link)

For large, household items such as an old sofa or mattress, you can request a bulky collection.

Some items you will need to take to the reuse and recycling centre.

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What do the different bins look like?

You have different bins for each kind of waste.

Non-communal bins

General waste bin:

Recycling bin:

Food waste bins - the black caddy is for your kitchen. Empty your black caddy straight into your green food waste bin:

You may also have a garden waste bin:

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Communal bins

General waste bin:

Recycling bin:

Food waste bins - the black caddy (or sometimes brown caddy) is for your kitchen. Empty your black caddy straight into the food waste bin:

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Bin containers for residents of flats above shops

On-street waste containment for residents of flats above shops

We are introducing new types of waste storage for many of our residents who live in flats above shops. Where space allows, we will be placing new containers that provide a convenient, clean and tidy solution for those without a waste storage area, reducing the mess that waste bags create along some of our busiest roads. 

Depending on the location, residents will have access to either a ‘MetroStor’ bin, which are wheeled bins housed within a large black box, or a ‘drop box’, which is a smaller black box with lid that residents can leave their household bagged waste in. Homes that will have access to the new containment will be informed by letter prior to installation. 

Once the on-street waste containment has been installed, residents must ensure all waste is tied in bags and placed inside the container. If you are found placing general waste outside of the container, or if anyone other than those it is intended for is found using it, you could be fined up to £400. 

Our street sweepers will also use the containers to store the bags of litter they accumulate ready for collection. 

Please see Veolia's  Timed Collection Schedule (PDF 198KB)

Businesses must continue to present their commercial waste out for collection on the pavement during their allotted timed collection put-out times. 

All businesses must be able to prove that they have appropriate waste management in place.

Haringey, in partnership with Veolia, can provide this service. For more information, go to our Commercial Waste Page 

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