Blue bin recycling

What you can and can't put in your blue recycling bin

We empty your blue recycling bin once a fortnight. Please make sure that your recycling is clean, dry and loose – don’t put them in plastic bags.

Yes please

• Rinsed out cans and tins (please squash out the air)
• Plastic bottles (squash out the air and replace the lid tightly)
• Aerosols
• Paper (including newspaper, magazines, letters, envelopes and office paper)
• Greetings cards - that do not have glitter or foil on them
• Cardboard (broken down and squashed flat)

No thank you

• Black sacks and plastic bags
• Plastic tubs, trays and pots
• Wrapping paper, shredded paper
• Juice cartons
• Aluminium foil
• Textiles and clothing
• Household waste 
• Glass
• Kitchen waste

A to Z list of items to recycle

The items listed above are a summary of what you can or can't recycle. Please see our Recycling directory for more information.

Simpler recycling is coming

The government has introduced new simpler recycling legislation to improve recycling and make it more consistent across the country.

However, the facilities needed to sort and process some of the additional materials are not yet in place in Hampshire.

Hampshire County Council is investing to improve the recycling facilities that cover our area. This includes a new materials recovery facility, due to open in 2028.

You can read more on the simpler recycling in Hampshire pages.

What to do now

For the time being, please continue to place only the items listed in the ‘Yes Please’ section (above) in your blue recycling bin.

If you put other items in your recycling bin, they cannot currently be recycled. These items must be removed during the sorting process. This uses additional time, energy, and resources. It can also have a negative environmental impact.

When the new recycling facilities are in place, we will update you on the changes.

Numbering your bins

One of the ways you can help our bin collection crews is to make sure your bins, boxes and caddies are clearly marked with your house number and road name.

This helps the crew to report any issues quickly and accurately, and will also help you to keep an eye on your bins and avoid any mix-ups with neighbours.  

A number of shops and online retailers sell low-cost address stickers for bins, but you can use any sort of labelling - or even paint your address on your bins.

Please make sure you also bring your bins in as soon as possible after they have been emptied.

What happens to your recycling

Have you ever wondered what happens to your recycling?  Recycle for Hampshire have produced a short video explaining what happens to your tins, cans, aerosols, paper, magazines, cardboard and plastic bottles.