The usual bins
| Colour (most common) | Bin | What goes in | Typical collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black or grey | General waste | non-recyclable rubbish: nappies, crisp packets, polystyrene, dirty packaging | every 2 weeks (some councils every 3) |
| Blue (or green) | Mixed recycling | paper, card, plastic bottles and pots, tins, cans, often glass | every 2 weeks |
| Brown or green | Garden waste | grass, leaves, hedge cuttings, small branches | every 2 weeks, often a paid subscription |
| Small caddy (grey, green or brown) | Food waste | all food scraps, cooked and raw, including meat and bones | weekly |
| Box or bag (various) | Glass or paper separately | in councils that keep them out of the mixed bin | every 2–4 weeks |
Bulky items, electricals, batteries and textiles are collected separately – at the household recycling centre or by booked collection.
General waste (black or grey)
Anything that cannot be recycled: nappies, crisp and sweet wrappers, polystyrene, cling film in many areas, broken crockery, pet waste. Councils are cutting general waste collections to every two or three weeks, so recycling the rest matters.
Mixed recycling (blue)
Most councils take paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, food tins and drink cans, and aerosols. Glass and paper are sometimes collected separately in a box or bag. Rinse containers and keep recycling loose – not in plastic bags – unless your council says otherwise.
Food waste caddy
Weekly food waste collections are being rolled out across England from 2026. Everything edible goes in: peelings, leftovers, tea bags, coffee grounds, meat, fish, bones, eggshells. Use the caddy liners your council allows.
Garden waste (brown or green)
Grass cuttings, leaves, flowers, hedge trimmings and small branches. In many areas this is an annual paid subscription and collections pause in winter.
When is each bin collected?
Your council publishes the dates, usually as a postcode lookup or a PDF. With Garbage Center you enter the rules once ("recycling every other Tuesday, food every Thursday") and get a year calendar in your bin colours to print on A4, a link for the household and a reminder the evening before. See the guide to a printable bin calendar.
FAQ
Why are bin colours different between councils?
There is no national rule – each council chooses its own bins and colours. Always check the lid sticker or your council's website.
Can glass go in the blue bin?
In many areas yes, but some councils collect glass separately in a box or at bottle banks. Check your council's list.
Do pizza boxes go in recycling?
Clean parts yes; greasy or food-stained parts go in general waste, or in food waste where the council allows it.
Is the garden waste bin free?
Often not – many councils charge an annual fee for garden waste collection.