Which bin do I use?

We operate a five bin system in West Suffolk.

How to manage your waste if you do not have your new bin

Sorry if we missed delivering your bin as part of our scheduled deliveries. If you have not yet received your new green lidded bin or food caddies you can log this with our Customer Services team: Report a damaged or non delivered bin.

If the green-lidded bin does not arrive before your first paper and card collection, please:

• start separating your waste if you have space to store paper and cardboard where it will remain clean and dry
• place any paper and card you have collected, ideally in a cardboard box, at your bin collection point on your green-lidded bin day and it will be collected if it is clean and dry.

If you cannot store the paper and card whilst waiting for your new bin, it can be placed in your blue bin, and the bin will still be collected on your blue collection day.

If your food waste caddies have not arrived, please continue to use your general waste bin or home composting until they arrive.

Green-lidded bin

Dry and clean flat packed cardboard, egg boxes, clean paper (no glitter) shredded paper (to be wrapped in paper), envelopes, magazines and books. Find out what else can go in the green-lidded bin here.

Blue bin

Mixed dry and clean recyclables, including glass bottles and jars, plastic bags, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, empty aerosols, tins and cans. If you have items you are not sure about, search for them using the Suffolk Recycling A-Z guide.

Food caddy

This bin is for items such as leftovers, vegetable and fruit peelings and cores, eggshells, bones and pet food. No windfall food is to go into this bin; this is to go into the Garden Waste bin or to your local recycling centre. What can I put in my food waste caddy?

Black bin

Any waste that cannot be recycled or composted at home should go in your black bin. With the exception of anything with an internal battery such as vapes. These must be taken to an approved location such as your local recycling centre.

Garden waste bin

This is an optional, paid for Garden Waste Collection Service, which collects compostable garden waste only.

Home composting

This is the most environmentally friendly way to treat your garden and kitchen waste. We offer cut price home composting bins through our partners at Get composting.

To find out more about becoming an expert on home composting visit Suffolk Recycles - Home composting.

Small electrical recycling

18 new collection banks have been installed at existing mini recycling centres. The locations are listed on the recycling and recycling centres page. These new banks can be filled with small electricals for recycling, including mobile phones, tablets, cables, kettles, toasters and children's toys. Anything with an external battery such as vapes must be taken to an approved location such as your local recycling centre.

Battery recycling

Batteries should only be recycled at your local collection point; these are located at supermarkets, DIY stores and your local recycling centre.