A - Z of Recycling
HOW TO USE: The A - Z of recycling allows you to browse or search for information on how to reduce, reuse, recycle or dispose of everyday household objects. The following icons by each entry show the available options, and you will find links for more information about the services in the bottom bar. Can't find what you are looking for email waste.management@suffolk.gov.uk.
Charity Shop/ Reuse

Home Composting

Kerbside Compost

Kerbside Recycling

HWRC

Bringbank

Non-Recyclable

-
Action Figures
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Aerosol Cans
Recycle: Aerosol cans can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin and in most can banks but DO NOT squash them - they could explode! Make sure they are empty. You can also recycle aerosol cans by placing them in the metal container at any of the Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres. Please remove the plastic cap (which can be put into any kerbside recycling bin). Please note aerosols which have contained paint and other hazardous chemicals cannot be put in the kerbside recycling bin (even if they are empty).
Find out more about the Getting Your Recycling Right campaign here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Bring banks Help
-
Air Bed
Reuse: If it is in a good condition offer to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity click here). You could sell it through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market place. You could also give it to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Disposal: This item is made from a plastic that cannot currently be recycled and so needs to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Non - Recyclable Help
-
Air Fresheners (Electric)
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Air Fresheners (Plastic)
Reduce: When available consider using refills rather than buying a new 'container'. Reuse: Offer hard plastic items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives. Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Air Fresheners (Spray)
Recycle: Aerosol cans can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin and in most can banks but DO NOT squash them - they could explode! Make sure they are empty. You can also recycle aerosol cans by placing them in the metal container at any of the Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres. Please remove the plastic cap (which can be put into any kerbside recycling bin). Please note aerosols which have contained paint and other hazardous chemicals cannot be put in the kerbside recycling bin (even if they are empty).
Find out more about the Getting Your Recycling Right campaign here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Bring banks Help
-
Alarm Clocks
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Aluminium Cans
Recycle: Clean cans, tins, metal bottle/jar tops, takeaway carton bases and aluminium foil (please roll up it up into tennis sized ball) can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin, at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre or in any metal recycling bank. It would be helpful if you could squash or crush your cans.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Bring banks Help
-
Aluminium Foil
Recycle: Clean cans, tins, metal bottle/jar tops, takeaway carton bases and aluminium foil (please roll up it up into tennis sized ball) can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin, at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre or in any metal recycling bank. It would be helpful if you could squash or crush your cans.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Bring banks Help
-
Asbestos
Disposal: Asbestos is an extremely hazardous material, so it cannot be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. Please do not attempt to do anything which disturbs it. Be aware that it may be exposed inadvertently when carrying out renovation or extension work.
For further advice on the disposal of asbestos contact your local borough/ district council.
-
Ash
Home Compost: Wood ash can be added to your home compost bin, dug into your garden as a fertilizer or added to a compost heap as it can help to keep slugs and snails off your vegetable patch.
Disposal: Coal ash cannot be composted, and when it has cooled it should be wrapped and put in your kerbside rubbish bin. It can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the hardcore and rubble container.
Other recycling options: Home Composting Non - Recyclable Help
-
Balloons
Reduce: Balloons are so engrained in our minds when we think of celebrating – but is there an alternative to avoid buying these non-recyclable balloons? How about paper chains, fabric-scrap bunting, tissue paper bouquets? The back of old wallpaper rolls makes great banners, or even a draw-able table cover. Pinterest has loads of inspiration!
Did you know that 167 balloons were collected from Suffolk's beaches during the Beachwater weekend last year? Balloons released into the air cause dangerous litter for wildlife on land and at sea. Before you plan a helium balloon release, try googling ‘balloon alternatives’ to find lots of creative options.
Reuse: Mylar (foil type) balloons don’t degrade so can be used in art and craft projects, as gift wrap or even to keep the birds away. Lots of reuse ideas can be find online.
Disposal: Balloons cannot be recycled so please DO NOT place them in your recycling bin. Old deflated balloons should be placed in your rubbish bin or in the non-recyclable container at any Suffolk Recycling Centre for disposal.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Non - Recyclable Help
-
Bandages
Generally, non-infectious waste such as dressings, incontinence pads and ostomy bags may be double bagged for hygiene and placed in your household general rubbish bin or as advised by medical staff.
Contact your local District or Borough Council for advice about the safe collection and disposal of clinical waste generated in your home.
East Suffolk Council : http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/waste/waste-collections-and-disposal/clinical-waste/
Babergh Mid Suffolk DC: http://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/waste-services/medical-and-clinical-collections/
West Suffolk Council: https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/bins/electrical-and-hazardous-waste.cfm
Ipswich BC: https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/clinical-waste-collections
Also see "needles" and "medicines"
-
Bath Sponges
Disposal: Unfortunately this item is made from a plastic that cannot currently be recycled in Suffolk and so needs to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Bathroom Suite
Recycle: Toilets, sinks & baths made out of porcelain/ ceramic can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) and placed in the hardcore and rubble container, however there will be a charge for disposing of these. Prices start from £2, click here for pricing chart. Additional guidance for single item charges can be found here.
 You also can take any metal, glass & rigid plastic bathroom suite items to be recycled at Suffolk HWRCs for free.Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Batteries
Reduce: Why not consider using reusable batteries instead of disposable ones?
Recycle: Household batteries can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre or placed in battery containers which are often found in supermarkets. To find your nearest battery collection point click here.
St Edmundsbury operate a kerbside battery collection which was set up by European funding in 2007. Any batteries hanging from the pink hook on the blue recycling bins will be collected for recycling. Residents can use any type of carrier bag to hang their batteries on the hook. If residents in St Edmundsbury do not have a pink hook on their bin, they can request one to be sent to them by emailing customer.services@westsuffolk.gov.uk.
*Batteries must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Bedding
Reuse: Stuffed textiles such as old pillows, quilts, duvets or cushions could be reused as pet beds or to kneel on whilst gardening. Vets or animal sanctuarys may accept clean, unwanted bedding.
Disposal: If they are not in a reusable condition you will need to put them in your kerbside rubbish bin or take them to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and place them in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Non - Recyclable Help
-
Beds
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken furniture.
Reuse: Offer furniture in good condition to charity shops (to find your nearest charity click here) or through an online reuse network, sell at a car boot sale, jumble sale or online market place. They can also be offered to friends, neighbours or relatives. Furniture in good condition can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) and placed in the re-use container (ask site staff for details).
Please note - If you want to donate a sofa/ uplholstered furniture to a charity it needs to have the fire labels still attached otherwise they will not be able to take it.
Recycle: Take to any Suffolk HWRCs and place it in the container appropriate to the material the piece of furniture is made of. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Bicycles
Reuse: Unwanted bicycles can be donated to local bicycle projects such as Re-cycle or the Green Bike Project. Alternatively bikes can be advertised on a free online re-use network such as Freegle. Working bicycles can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and put in the reuse container (ask site staff for details).
Recycling: If a bicycle is beyond repair or in parts it can be recycled in the metal container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Binoculars
Reduce: Repair defective items wherever possible.
Reuse: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds specifically have a second- hand scheme which will collect unwanted working binoculars, telescopes, spotting scopes or tripods. You can also offer items in good condition to charity shops or through an online reuse network, or sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market place. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives, or "re-gift" unwanted gifts next Christmas.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Biscuit Wrappers
Disposal: Unfortunately this item is made from a plastic that cannot currently be recycled and so needs to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
 Terracycle has a scheme along with McVities where you can send in your biscuit wrappers and they will be recycled. To find out more click here.Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Black Bag Waste
Reduce: Most items of household waste can be reused or recycled in Suffolk – for a full list of what can be check here or enter the item into the search bar at the top of this page.
Disposal:
Black bag waste: Waste that cannot be reused or recycled can be placed in your kerbside rubbish bin. If you have any issues or questions about your bins please contact your local Borough/ District Council. Excess rubbish bin waste can be taken to the Recycling Centres and placed in the non-recyclable container.
Electrical and electronic items should NOT be thrown away in the rubbish bin. Electrical and electronic items contain hazardous materials and precious metals and should be recycled properly.
Large non-recyclable items: If a large item cannot be reused or recycled it can be taken to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and placed in the non-recyclable container. If you cannot get the item to a Recycling Centre your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service.
There are restrictions on some non-recyclable items at the Recycling Centres please check here before taking items to site.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Bleach
Disposal: Hazardous waste such as syringes, poisons, corrosive/flammable liquids, household and garden chemicals (incl. bleach) cannot be placed in your kerbside rubbish bin and are not accepted at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
For advice on hazardous waste or to organise a hazardous waste collection for a charge contact your local Borough/ District council. To find out further information on hazardous waste disposal click here.
-
Blenders
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Blister Packs
Disposal: Unfortunately this item is made from a plastic that cannot currently be recycled in Suffolk and so needs to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Board Games
Reduce: Wherever possible repair damaged games or puzzles.
Reuse: Offer items in good condition to charity shops or through an online reuse network, or sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market place. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives, or "re-gift" unwanted gifts next Christmas.
Recycle: Take to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and place it in the container appropriate to the material the toy is made of (e.g. box cover in cardboard container).
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Boats
Disposal: Fibreglass panels/ sections can be disposed of at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Whole boats cannot be taken to the Recycling Centres. For tips on disposing of old fibreglass boats click here.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Bones
Recycle: Only Suffolk Coastal residents can put cooked food, raw meat and fish (including bones) in their kerbside composting bin. Home Compost: No cooked or processed food can be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all cooked food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Help
-
Books
Reduce: Do consider using libraries more who stock the latest titles as well as DVDs, CDs etc.By reducing the number of books we buy, the less of a problem there will be in disposing of them later on. You could also consider getting a e-reader (e.g. Kindle).
Reuse: Pass unwanted books to friends or colleagues. Local charity shops will also be pleased to accept books in good condition.
Recycle: If they are beyond reuse, please take them to any of the Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres and place in the Mixed media container. All books can also go in your Kerbside recycling bin.
Find out more about the Getting Your Recycling Right campaign here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Bottle Tops (Metal)
Recycle: Leave metal lids on empty glass bottles and jars for recycling at glass bottle banks or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Bring banks Help
-
Bottle Tops (Plastic)
Recycle: Loose bottle tops are too small to survive the pre-sorting process at the recycling facility and won’t get recycled unless you wash and squash your empty plastics bottles and then place the top back on - then recycle in your kerbside recycling bin or in the plastic bottle container at any Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).
Disposal: Trigger spray tops (commonly found on cleaning products) cannot be recycled because of the mix of materials used to make them and need to be disposed of in your general rubbish bin or in the non-recyclable container at any HWRC.Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Help
-
Bowls (Crockery)
Reuse: Offer items in good condition to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives. Recycle: If they are chipped, broken, or otherwise beyond reuse, please take them to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and place in the bin for hardcore and rubble.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Branches
Recycle: You can recycle garden waste in your kerbside compost bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the green container.
Most borough/ district councils will only accept windfall fruit and vegetables (from the garden, not kitchen) in the kerbside compost bin. Ipswich will also accept fruit and vegetables peelings and Suffolk Coastal will accept full food.
Branches going into the kerbside compost bin must be a maximum of 6cm in diameter. If they are any larger please take them to any Suffolk Household Recycling Centre and put them in green container.
Home Compost: All garden waste can be placed in a home composting bin.
Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort require special handling and should not be placed in your kerbside or home composting bin. (See the separate A - Z entries for these weeds to find out more information.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Compost bin - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Bread
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: You can only put processed food such as bread and cooked rice or pasta in Suffolk Coastal kerbside compost bins.
Home Compost: No cooked or processed food can be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Help
-
Bread Bags
Recycle: These can be recycled at any Household Waste Recycling Centre in Suffolk. Some larger supermarkets have collection bins for plastic bags, food bags and plastic film but you will need to check in store in advance. (They can't be put in your kerbside recycling bin.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Bricks
Reuse: Hardcore and rubble could be donated to a local community project or offered on Freecycle or Freegle.
Recycle: There is a charge for disposing of hardcore, rubble and soil at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. (This includes: breeze blocks, bricks, ceramics (e.g. sinks/toilets), concrete, tiles, flagstones, gravel, sand, soil/turf, stones and tarmac). Prices start from £2, click here for pricing chart. Additional guidance for single item charges can be found here.
For large amounts you could also hire a skip, a skip bag, or dispose of the waste at a commercial waste transfer station (a charge may apply).
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Bubble Wrap
Reuse: You can use it for insulating wormeries (with air holes) or for packaging fragile items.
Recycle: Clean bubble wrap can be recycled in the plastic bag and film container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Bucket (Metal)
Reuse: Metal items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some metal items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Any metals item can be recycled in the metal container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Metal pots, pans (including metal lids) and trays can be placed in your kerbside recycling bin - as can empty aerosol cans.
You may be able to sell some types of metal (e.g. cars) to your local scrap metal dealer.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Bucket (Plastic)
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Buttons
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Calculators
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Camping Gas Canisters
Recycle: Only empty gas canisters with the pierced-top design can be brought to Suffolk Recycling Centres. Depressurised ‘pierced-top’ style canisters can be recycled in the metal container at the recycling centre. For safety reasons we are unable to accept the valve-top canisters because it is not possible for staff to tell if these cylinders have been safely depressurised.
*Camping gas bottles are different to normal deodorant cans because they contain up to 3 times the pressure which could cause serious damage at the re-processing facility! For this reason, gas canisters MUST NOT be placed into your rubbish or recycling bin at home.
Draining Gas Canisters:
No recycler will touch a canister that still contains pressurized and potentially explosive fuel. To fully drain any residual fuel, take your stove outdoors, attach the canister, and safely burn off any remaining gas. Be aware that the final fraction of fuel burns at a very slow rate due to low canister pressure, and that it can take a surprising amount of time to completely empty a canister. Even after the burner flame sputters out, keep the can open a while longer to ensure any final residual vapours escape. For valve top canisters, then contact the manufacturer for further advice.
-
Cans
Recycle: Clean cans, tins, metal bottle/jar tops, takeaway carton bases and aluminium foil (please roll up it up into tennis sized ball) can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin, at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre or in any metal recycling bank. It would be helpful if you could squash or crush your cans.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Bring banks Help
-
Car Batteries
Reuse: If you have any car parts and components suitable for reuse consider selling them or exchanging them via an online trading website.
Recycle: Engine oil and car batteries can be recycled at any of the Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres. All other car parts and components need to be disposed of through a garage/licensed scrap dealer.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Car Parts
Reuse: If you have any car parts and components suitable for reuse consider selling them or exchanging them via an online trading website. You can also donate cars so the cash will go to UK charities using the Give A Car scheme.
Disposal: Car parts and components need to be disposed of through a garage/licensed scrap dealer.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Car Seats (Child)
Recycle: If you can take your child's car seat apart to its different component parts first, then the materials can be placed in the appropriate recyclable container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. The hard plastic base would go in rigid plastics container and metal clasps can be recycled in the metal container. The foam and textile materials are not recyclable and will need to go in your general rubbish bin or in the non-recyclable container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Disposal: Whole children's car seats can be disposed of at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the non-recyclable container. (Please cut the straps on it to make sure the seat cannot be reused)
Seats from cars and other vehicle parts are not accepted at any Suffolk Recycling Centres
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Car Window Scrapers
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Card-Readers
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Cardboard
Reuse: Cardboard boxes are ideal for moving and often in demand, try advertising boxes for reuse on online reuse networks such as Freecycle or Freegle.
Recycle: They can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin or in the cardboard container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. Small amounts can be composted in some kerbside compost bins (see below).
Home Compost: Cardboard can be put into your compost bin and is a particularly good way of reducing smells and increasing the effectiveness of your compost bin as it provides air pockets. It's more effective if scrunched into handful sized bits.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Cardboard Egg Boxes
Home Compost: Cardboard egg boxes, toilet and kitchen roll inner-tubes are made from low-grade cardboard so have little recycling value. However if torn up and placed in a home compost bin they provide a good source of carbon into the compost mix and create natural air-pockets which help the composting process.
Recycle: Non-glossy egg boxes can go in kerbside composting bins in Suffolk Coastal and Waveney or in the cardboard container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recyling Centre.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Cardboard tubes (with metal bases)
Reuse: Cardboard tubes with metal bases can be used for craft activities. Try searching the internet for lots of great ideas e.g. storage in the kitchen, stationary, money boxes, vases etc.
Recycle: Cardboard tubes with metal bases can be recycled in the cardboard container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
You can recycle the plastic lid in your kerbside recycling bin or at any Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Cards
Reuse: Cards can be re-used in crafty activities e.g.making gift tags, bookmarks and notebooks! Recycle: Cards can be recycled in your kerbside recycling bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the paper container (unless glittered or sliver/ gold type cards). Home Compost: Small scraps of card which may get lost in the recycling process but can be put in some kerbside composting bins (see below) or in your home compost bin. Disposal: All glittered and silver/ gold type cards and wrapping paper shouldn't go in the kerbside recycling bin because they can contaminate the paper product for the recycling mills. They need to be placed in your general rubbish bin or the non-recycling container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Carpet
Reuse: Consider re-using the flooring in sheds or cupboards. Carpets can also be used as under pond liners, or in the garden as a mulch mat (if it is hessian backed).
Home Compost: Small amounts of carpet can also be placed on top of compost heaps to keep in the heat making the organic material break down more quickly.
Disposal: If the flooring is no good for re-use please dispose of it at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. Wood flooring can be recycled in the wood container while carpet, vinyl or underlay will need to be disposed of in the non-recyclable container on site.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Carrier Bags
Reduce: When shopping don't accept unwanted plastic bags - take reusable bags with you.
Reuse: Plastic bags can be reused as bin liners or dog litter bags. Some charity shops may accept plastic bags for reuse.
Recycle: Plastic bags and film can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. Some of the bigger supermarket stores have collection bins for plastic bags, food bags and plastic film but you will need to check in store in advance. (They can't be put in your kerbside recycling bin.)
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Cartons
Recycle: Drink and food cartons can be put in your kerbside recycling bin. They also can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling or placed in carton bring banks. To find local carton bring bank locations click here
Find out more about the Getting Your Recycling Right campaign here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Bring banks Help
-
Cassette Recorders
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Cassettes
Reuse: Some charity shops may accept music or video cassettes.
Recycling: Cassette tape gets tangled in the recycling process, therefore only empty (pull out the magnetic tape) cassettes can be recycled in the 'rigid plastic' container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). Easiest way to remove tape is to unscrew the cassette and remove the reels!
Disposal: Cassettes with tape in must be placed in your kerbside rubbish bin or in the non-recyclable container at HWRCs.
(Internet Search Tip - a few recycling companies will accept unwanted tapes for recycling via postal collection - try typing 'cassette recycling uk' into a search engine)
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Non - Recyclable Help
-
Cat and Dog Waste
Disposal: Waste from meat eating animals cannot be recycled or composted and should be double-bagged and placed in your kerbside rubbish bin. It cannot be taken to Household Waste Recycling Centres. (Internet Search Tip: there are a number of commercial dog loos available to buy - try typing 'dog loo' into your search engine.)
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Cat Litter
Disposal: Waste from meat eating animals cannot be recycled or composted and should be double-bagged and placed in your kerbside rubbish bin. It cannot be taken to Household Waste Recycling Centres. (Internet Search Tip: there are a number of commercial dog loos available to buy - try typing 'dog loo' into your search engine.)
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Catalogues
Recycle: Catalogues and telephone directories (including Yellow pages) are accepted in kerbside recycling bins and can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the paper bank.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Bring banks Help
-
Caustic Soda
Disposal: Hazardous waste such as syringes, poisons, corrosive/flammable liquids, household and garden chemicals (incl. bleach) cannot be placed in your kerbside rubbish bin and are not accepted at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
For advice on hazardous waste or to organise a hazardous waste collection for a charge contact your local Borough/ District council. To find out further information on hazardous waste disposal click here.
-
CD Players
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
CDs
Reuse: Offer CD/DVDs to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell at a car boot sale, jumble sale or online market. You can also offer them to friends, neighbours, relatives or "re-gift" unwanted CD/DVDs.
Recycle: These can be recycled in their cases in the mixed media banks at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).
Empty DVD & CD Cases: The cases can be recycled in the hard plastic container at any Suffolk HWRC.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Cellophane
Disposal: Unfortunately this item is made from a plastic that cannot currently be recycled in Suffolk and so needs to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Ceramic Pots and Jars
Reuse: Offer items in good condition to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives. Recycle: If they are chipped, broken, or otherwise beyond reuse, please take them to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and place in the bin for hardcore and rubble.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Cereal Inner bags
Recycle: These can be recycled at any Household Waste Recycling Centre in Suffolk. Some larger supermarkets have collection bins for plastic bags, food bags and plastic film but you will need to check in store in advance. (They can't be put in your kerbside recycling bin.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Chairs
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken furniture.
Reuse: Offer furniture in good condition to charity shops (to find your nearest charity click here) or through an online reuse network, sell at a car boot sale, jumble sale or online market place. They can also be offered to friends, neighbours or relatives. Furniture in good condition can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) and placed in the re-use container (ask site staff for details).
Please note - If you want to donate a sofa/ uplholstered furniture to a charity it needs to have the fire labels still attached otherwise they will not be able to take it.
Recycle: Take to any Suffolk HWRCs and place it in the container appropriate to the material the piece of furniture is made of. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Chargers
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Cheese
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: You can only put dairy food products in Suffolk Coastal kerbside compost bins.
Home Compost: No dairy food products can be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Help
-
Chest of Drawers
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken furniture.
Reuse: Offer furniture in good condition to charity shops (to find your nearest charity click here) or through an online reuse network, sell at a car boot sale, jumble sale or online market place. They can also be offered to friends, neighbours or relatives. Furniture in good condition can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) and placed in the re-use container (ask site staff for details).
Please note - If you want to donate a sofa/ uplholstered furniture to a charity it needs to have the fire labels still attached otherwise they will not be able to take it.
Recycle: Take to any Suffolk HWRCs and place it in the container appropriate to the material the piece of furniture is made of. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Chopping Board (Plastic)
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Christmas Trees
Recycle: Real Christmas trees can be recycled in your kerbside compost bin.
If your real tree is too large or its stem is too thick then you may find it easier to take it to any of the Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres which accept whole Christmas trees in the garden waste container.
You can recycle artificial trees at any Household Waste Recycling Centre in Suffolk. These will be accepted in either the metal or hard plastic bin depending on the main materials it is constructed from - please ask site staff if you are unsure which bin it should go in.
-
Cleaning Products
Reduce: When available consider using refills rather than buying a new 'container'. Recycle: All cleaning product bottles can be recycled. Remember loose bottle tops are too small to survive the pre-sorting process at the recycling facility and won’t get recycled unless you wash and squash your empty plastics bottles and then place the top back on - then recycle in your kerbside recycling bin or in the plastic bottle container at any Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). ('Trigger' spray tops -commonly found on cleaning products- cannot be recycled.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Help
-
Cling Film
Recycle: Can be recycled at any Household Waste Recycling Centre in Suffolk. Some larger supermarkets have collection bins for plastic bags, food bags and plastic film but you will need to check in store in advance. (They can't be put in your kerbside recycling bin.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Clinical Waste
Generally, non-infectious waste such as dressings, incontinence pads and ostomy bags may be double bagged for hygiene and placed in your household general rubbish bin or as advised by medical staff.
Contact your local District or Borough Council for advice about the safe collection and disposal of clinical waste generated in your home.
East Suffolk Council : http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/waste/waste-collections-and-disposal/clinical-waste/
Babergh Mid Suffolk DC: http://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/waste-services/medical-and-clinical-collections/
West Suffolk Council: https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/bins/electrical-and-hazardous-waste.cfm
Ipswich BC: https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/clinical-waste-collections
Also see "needles" and "medicines"
-
Clothes Hangers (Plastic)
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Clothing
Reuse: Wherever possible repair damaged textiles; for example it may be possible to patch ripped garments, or replace buttons or zips, etc. Pass wearable garments onto younger children as hand-me-downs. Offer items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives, or "re-gift" unwanted gifts next Christmas. Garments beyond repair can be torn up and re-used as rags and wipers.
Recycle: Take any unwanted textiles to any textiles or clothing bank (to find your nearest click here) or to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Coal Ash
Home Compost: Wood ash can be added to your home compost bin, dug into your garden as a fertilizer or added to a compost heap as it can help to keep slugs and snails off your vegetable patch.
Disposal: Coal ash cannot be composted, and when it has cooled it should be wrapped and put in your kerbside rubbish bin. It can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the hardcore and rubble container.
Other recycling options: Home Composting Non - Recyclable Help
-
Coffee Cups (Disposable)
Reduce: Why not buy yourself a reusable coffee cup instead? There are lots of different styles and sizes on offer. Some businesses may even offer money off if you bring your own cup.
Recycle: The coffee cup itself cannot be recycled, however the plastic lid and cardboard sleeve can be. You can recycle the cardboard sleeve and plastic lid in your kerbside recycling bin or in the cardboard and plastic containers at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Home Compost: If the cup has a compostable symbol on it (example shown on left) you can compost it at home in your garden.
Disposal: Non-compostable coffee cups cannot be recycled due to the mix of materials in them. They will need to be put in your kerbside rubbish bin or in the non-recyclable container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Non - Recyclable Help
-
Coffee Grounds
Recycle: You can put tea bags and coffee grounds in the kerbside compost bin in Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal.
Home Compost: Tea bags (loose and bagged) and coffee grounds can be composted in your home compost bin.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Ipswich Suffolk Coastal Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Coffee Makers
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Coffee Pods
Disposal: Generally coffee pods cannot be recycled because of the mixture of materials contained in them and need to be put in your general rubbish bin or in the non-recyclable container at Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
TASSIMO COFFEE PODS ONLY (including all Tassimo plastic packaging) can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Colander (Plastic)
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Compostable Packaging
Home Compost: Many everyday household items are now packaged in compostable materials made from natural plant starches, such as corn-starch, which can be used as an alternative to plastic polymers. These include types of food packaging (e.g. some brands of sandwich packets) and food and waste bags. Although giving the appearance of plastics packaging, items labelled with this leaf symbol will break down eventually in a home compost bin.
(Please note: Due to operational restrictions at large-scale composting facilities compostable packaging cannot be accepted in kerbside composting collection bins)
Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Computers
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Cooked Food
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: Only Suffolk Coastal residents can put cooked food, raw meat and fish (including bones) in their kerbside composting bin.
Home Compost: No cooked or processed food can be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all cooked food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Help
-
Cookers
Reuse: Some charities will accept large electrical items for reuse. To find your nearest charity click here.
Recycle: Large electrical items can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre in the large domestic appliance section. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service. If you are purchasing a new electrical item to replace an old one, ask whether the shop offers a takeback scheme to recycling your old item.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Cooking Oil
Recycle: Used cooking oil can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Corks (Natural)
Recycle: Wood, items made from wood and natural corks can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the wood container.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Corn Starch Packing Peanuts
Reduce: Consider using scrunched up newspaper, plain dry popped corn or breaking down old polystyrene packaging for posting fragile items rather than buying new packaging.
Home Compost: These 'peanut' or 'Wotsit' shaped materials are used to package many fragile items and can be made from compostable natural corn-starch. These look virtually identical to polystyrene packing peanuts but can easily identified by making them wet - the corn-starch variety will begin to dissolve whereas the polystyrene will remain the same. Corn-starch versions can be home composted (either dissolve in water and add the 'slurry', or bury in the compost pile to dissolve naturally).
(Please note - the polystyrene versions unfortunately cannot be recycled. Please place these in a bag and dispose of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre, in the non-recyclable container.)
Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Cotton Reels
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Cream
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: You can only put dairy food products in Suffolk Coastal kerbside compost bins.
Home Compost: No dairy food products can be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Help
-
Crisp Packets (and Multi Pack Bags)
Disposal: Unfortunately this item is made from a plastic that cannot currently be recycled in Suffolk and so needs to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Crisp tubes (with metal bases)
Reuse: Cardboard tubes with metal bases can be used for craft activities. Try searching the internet for lots of great ideas e.g. storage in the kitchen, stationary, money boxes, vases etc.
Recycle: Cardboard tubes with metal bases can be recycled in the cardboard container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
You can recycle the plastic lid in your kerbside recycling bin or at any Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Crutches
Reuse/ Recycle: Unwanted NHS provided healthcare equipment such as crutches and wheelchairs can be taken back to Medequip's collection depots in Bury St Edmunds, Beccles and Ipswich. Contact Medequip for further details or to arrange a collection either by phone 01473 351805 or email suffolk@medequip-uk.com.
In additional to this you can currently take healthcare equipment to three of Suffolk's Household Waste Recycling Centres (Bury St Edmunds, Foxhall and Lowestoft) where they are collected for return to the NHS. Please ask site staff where these items need to be placed.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Foxhall Lowestoft Help
-
Cupboards
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken furniture.
Reuse: Offer furniture in good condition to charity shops (to find your nearest charity click here) or through an online reuse network, sell at a car boot sale, jumble sale or online market place. They can also be offered to friends, neighbours or relatives. Furniture in good condition can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) and placed in the re-use container (ask site staff for details).
Please note - If you want to donate a sofa/ uplholstered furniture to a charity it needs to have the fire labels still attached otherwise they will not be able to take it.
Recycle: Take to any Suffolk HWRCs and place it in the container appropriate to the material the piece of furniture is made of. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Cups (Crockery)
Reuse: Offer items in good condition to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives. Recycle: If they are chipped, broken, or otherwise beyond reuse, please take them to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and place in the bin for hardcore and rubble.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Curtain Fittings (Plastic)
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Curtains
Reuse: Wherever possible repair damaged textiles; for example it may be possible to patch ripped garments, or replace buttons or zips, etc. Pass wearable garments onto younger children as hand-me-downs. Offer items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives, or "re-gift" unwanted gifts next Christmas. Garments beyond repair can be torn up and re-used as rags and wipers.
Recycle: Take any unwanted textiles to any textiles or clothing bank (to find your nearest click here) or to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Cushions
Reuse: Stuffed textiles such as old pillows, quilts, duvets or cushions could be reused as pet beds or to kneel on whilst gardening. Vets or animal sanctuarys may accept clean, unwanted bedding.
Disposal: If they are not in a reusable condition you will need to put them in your kerbside rubbish bin or take them to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and place them in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Non - Recyclable Help
-
Cutlery (Metal)
Reuse: Metal items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some metal items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Any metals item can be recycled in the metal container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Metal pots, pans (including metal lids) and trays can be placed in your kerbside recycling bin - as can empty aerosol cans.
You may be able to sell some types of metal (e.g. cars) to your local scrap metal dealer.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Cutlery (Plastic)
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Dairy
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: You can only put dairy food products in Suffolk Coastal kerbside compost bins.
Home Compost: No dairy food products can be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Help
-
Dead Plants and Flowers
Recycle: You can recycle garden waste in your kerbside compost bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the green container.
Most borough/ district councils will only accept windfall fruit and vegetables (from the garden, not kitchen) in the kerbside compost bin. Ipswich will also accept fruit and vegetables peelings and Suffolk Coastal will accept full food.
Branches going into the kerbside compost bin must be a maximum of 6cm in diameter. If they are any larger please take them to any Suffolk Household Recycling Centre and put them in green container.
Home Compost: All garden waste can be placed in a home composting bin.
Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort require special handling and should not be placed in your kerbside or home composting bin. (See the separate A - Z entries for these weeds to find out more information.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Compost bin - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Desks
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken furniture.
Reuse: Offer furniture in good condition to charity shops (to find your nearest charity click here) or through an online reuse network, sell at a car boot sale, jumble sale or online market place. They can also be offered to friends, neighbours or relatives. Furniture in good condition can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) and placed in the re-use container (ask site staff for details).
Please note - If you want to donate a sofa/ uplholstered furniture to a charity it needs to have the fire labels still attached otherwise they will not be able to take it.
Recycle: Take to any Suffolk HWRCs and place it in the container appropriate to the material the piece of furniture is made of. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Dictaphones
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Digital Cameras
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Digital Picture Frames
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Digital Receivers
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Dirt
Reuse: Retain excess soil for planting and potting, or ask your neighbours, friends or relatives if they have any use for it.
Home compost: Small amounts of excess soil can be added to your home compost bin.
Recycle: There is a charge for disposing of hardcore, rubble and soil at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. For more information and a table of prices click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Home Composting Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Disc Drives
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Discs
Reuse: Offer CD/DVDs to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell at a car boot sale, jumble sale or online market. You can also offer them to friends, neighbours, relatives or "re-gift" unwanted CD/DVDs.
Recycle: These can be recycled in their cases in the mixed media banks at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).
Empty DVD & CD Cases: The cases can be recycled in the hard plastic container at any Suffolk HWRC.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Dishes (Crockery)
Reuse: Offer items in good condition to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives. Recycle: If they are chipped, broken, or otherwise beyond reuse, please take them to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and place in the bin for hardcore and rubble.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Dishwashers
Reuse: Some charities will accept large electrical items for reuse. To find your nearest charity click here.
Recycle: Large electrical items can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre in the large domestic appliance section. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service. If you are purchasing a new electrical item to replace an old one, ask whether the shop offers a takeback scheme to recycling your old item.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Disposable Coffee Cups
Reduce: Why not buy yourself a reusable coffee cup instead? There are lots of different styles and sizes on offer. Some businesses may even offer money off if you bring your own cup.
Recycle: The coffee cup itself cannot be recycled, however the plastic lid and cardboard sleeve can be. You can recycle the cardboard sleeve and plastic lid in your kerbside recycling bin or in the cardboard and plastic containers at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Home Compost: If the cup has a compostable symbol on it (example shown on left) you can compost it at home in your garden.
Disposal: Non-compostable coffee cups cannot be recycled due to the mix of materials in them. They will need to be put in your kerbside rubbish bin or in the non-recyclable container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Non - Recyclable Help
-
Disposable Nappies
Reduce: Why not try reusable nappies to help reduce the 2.9 billion disposable nappies that are being disposed of each year in the UK. There are environmental and health benefits as well as the possibility of saving £800! FREE hire kits and advice are available from Suffolk Cloth Nappies. Visit our website for more information and contact details.
Disposal: Disposable nappies cannot currently be recycled, so please dispose of them in your kerbside rubbish bin. Please don't put disposable nappies in your kerbside recycling bin.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Dog Poo
Disposal: Waste from meat eating animals cannot be recycled or composted and should be double-bagged and placed in your kerbside rubbish bin. It cannot be taken to Household Waste Recycling Centres. (Internet Search Tip: there are a number of commercial dog loos available to buy - try typing 'dog loo' into your search engine.)
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Dresses
Reuse: Wherever possible repair damaged textiles; for example it may be possible to patch ripped garments, or replace buttons or zips, etc. Pass wearable garments onto younger children as hand-me-downs. Offer items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives, or "re-gift" unwanted gifts next Christmas. Garments beyond repair can be torn up and re-used as rags and wipers.
Recycle: Take any unwanted textiles to any textiles or clothing bank (to find your nearest click here) or to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Dressings
Generally, non-infectious waste such as dressings, incontinence pads and ostomy bags may be double bagged for hygiene and placed in your household general rubbish bin or as advised by medical staff.
Contact your local District or Borough Council for advice about the safe collection and disposal of clinical waste generated in your home.
East Suffolk Council : http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/waste/waste-collections-and-disposal/clinical-waste/
Babergh Mid Suffolk DC: http://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/waste-services/medical-and-clinical-collections/
West Suffolk Council: https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/bins/electrical-and-hazardous-waste.cfm
Ipswich BC: https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/clinical-waste-collections
Also see "needles" and "medicines"
-
Drink Cartons
Recycle: Drink and food cartons can be put in your kerbside recycling bin. They also can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling or placed in carton bring banks. To find local carton bring bank locations click here
Find out more about the Getting Your Recycling Right campaign here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Bring banks Help
-
Dustpan and Brush
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Duvets
Reuse: Stuffed textiles such as old pillows, quilts, duvets or cushions could be reused as pet beds or to kneel on whilst gardening. Vets or animal sanctuarys may accept clean, unwanted bedding.
Disposal: If they are not in a reusable condition you will need to put them in your kerbside rubbish bin or take them to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and place them in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Non - Recyclable Help
-
DVD Players
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
DVDs
Reuse: Offer CD/DVDs to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell at a car boot sale, jumble sale or online market. You can also offer them to friends, neighbours, relatives or "re-gift" unwanted CD/DVDs.
Recycle: These can be recycled in their cases in the mixed media banks at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).
Empty DVD & CD Cases: The cases can be recycled in the hard plastic container at any Suffolk HWRC.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Earphones
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Eggs
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: You can only put eggs and eggshells in Suffolk Coastal kerbside compost bins.
Home Compost: Crushed eggshells can be put into your home compost bin as they add calcium and other nutrients to the compost. Cooked egg cannot be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all cooked food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Eggshells
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: You can only put eggs and eggshells in Suffolk Coastal kerbside compost bins.
Home Compost: Crushed eggshells can be put into your home compost bin as they add calcium and other nutrients to the compost. Cooked egg cannot be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all cooked food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Electric Fans
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Electric Heaters
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Electric Razors
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Electric Toys
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Electric Whisks
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Electronic Cigarette
Recycle: Remove e-cigarette battery and place in the battery container and put the rest of the empty e-cigarette in the small electrical items container at any Suffolk Household Recycling Centre.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Electronic Clocks
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Energy from Waste facility
All the waste that is put in the kerbside general rubbish bin or in the non-recyclable container at the Suffolk Recycling Centres goes to the Energy from Waste facility at Great Blakenham run by Suez. An energy-from-waste facility processes waste left after recycling and composting, under carefully-controlled conditions, to recover energy.
For more information about the Energy from Waste facility click here
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Engine Oil
Recycle: Used engine oil can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. It is important that all waste oil is contained securely, and disposed of appropriately to avoid contamination. For further information on the disposal of waste engine oil and further disposal points please see www.oilbankline.org.uk
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Envelopes
Reduce:
1) The Mailing Preference Service will prevent most unsolicited addressed mail by removing your name from marketing lists based in the UK - Visit their website at www.mpsonline.org.uk or phone 0845 703 4599. To stop the Royal Mail posting unaddressed mail to your home, you must opt out of their service. Contact them at: Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road OXFORD, OX1 1RX or email: optout@royalmail.com
2) Also consider only printing what you actually need as hard copy. Read the news online or on TV as an alternative to buying a daily newspaper.
Reuse: Use old envelopes, or the blank sides of printed sheets, as note paper.
Recycle: All dry paper can be recycled (apart from shredded paper, kitchen towels and tissues) in the kerbside recycling bin, at any paper bank or at any of the Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Compost: Small scraps of paper and shredded paper which may get lost in the recycling process can be put in your home compost bin and in some kerbside composting bins (to find out more click here).
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Extension Leads
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Fence Panels And Posts
Recycle: Wood, items made from wood and natural corks can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the wood container.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Fence Treatment
Disposal: Hazardous waste such as syringes, poisons, corrosive/flammable liquids, household and garden chemicals (incl. bleach) cannot be placed in your kerbside rubbish bin and are not accepted at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
For advice on hazardous waste or to organise a hazardous waste collection for a charge contact your local Borough/ District council. To find out further information on hazardous waste disposal click here.
-
Fibreglass
Disposal: Fibreglass panels/ sections can be disposed of at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Whole boats cannot be taken to the Recycling Centres. For tips on disposing of old fibreglass boats click here.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Fire Alarms
Recycle: If the alarms are broken please take them to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and place in the container for small electrical items. You could also contact the manufacturer and ask for advice about disposing of the alarm.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Fire Extinguishers
Recycling: Fire extinguishers from your home can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) except Halon and BCFs. Please only take small quantities.
If the fire extinguishers are not from your household or if they are from a business you can either: contact the manufacturer/ supplier who may collect them or you can take them to the HWRCs for a charge (HWRC trade waste charges here).To transport waste you will need a waste carriers license.Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Fireworks
Disposal (Tips):
- Never put fireworks, even those which are fully spent, on the bonfire.
- Never dispose of them by burying.
- Put fully spent fireworks (but not misfired or partly spent fireworks) in your kerbside rubbish bin.
- Soak misfired or partly spent fireworks in a container of water in an area where they cannot be tampered with (preferably away from the display site) and contact the manufacturer or supplier for advice on disposal.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Fish
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: Only Suffolk Coastal residents can put cooked food, raw meat and fish (including bones) in their kerbside composting bin.
Home Compost: No cooked or processed food can be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all cooked food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Help
-
Fish Tanks
Recycle: Glass panes, sheet glass and fish tanks can be recycled in flat glass container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC). They cannot be recycled in glass banks. Electric components e.g. filters will need to be recycled in the small electricals container at any Suffolk HWRC.
 
Plastic fish tanks can be recycled in the rigid plastic container at HWRCs. They cannot be put in your kerbside recycling bin.Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Fishing Lines
Disposal: Unfortunately this item is made from a plastic that cannot currently be recycled in Suffolk and so needs to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Flares
Disposal: Flares (like other guns, ammunition and weapons) can be handed into your local police station but it is best to ring the station first to let them know what you will be bringing. If you can't get to your local station or are worried about transporting the item, they can be collected. For more information and contact details for the Suffolk Constabulary firearms department click here.
-
Flashlights
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Flat Glass
Recycle: Glass panes, sheet glass and fish tanks can be recycled in flat glass container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. They cannot be recycled in glass banks.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Flooring
Reuse: Consider re-using the flooring in sheds or cupboards. Carpets can also be used as under pond liners, or in the garden as a mulch mat (if it is hessian backed).
Home Compost: Small amounts of carpet can also be placed on top of compost heaps to keep in the heat making the organic material break down more quickly.
Disposal: If the flooring is no good for re-use please dispose of it at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. Wood flooring can be recycled in the wood container while carpet, vinyl or underlay will need to be disposed of in the non-recyclable container on site.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Floppy Discs
Reuse: You could offer them up through an online reuse network or make use of them in your own home as drinks mats! Recycle: Floppy discs cannot go in your kerbside recycling bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Fluorescent Tubes
Recycle: All type of light bulbs including Halogen, fluorescent light bulbs and energy saving light bulbs can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) for recycling.
Several supermarkets and electrical retailers in Suffolk have collection points for low energy & LED light bulbs. To find locations of these collection points please click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Fly-tipped waste
Land managers, occupiers or owners of private property are responsible for clearing and disposing of any fly-tipping found on private land. Fly-tipped waste can be disposed of at the Household Waste Recycling Centres, but commercial charges will apply.
If the fly tipped rubbish is on public land, the local district or borough council is obliged to clear it up. You can report an incident to your local Council to investigate.
For more information on how to report and tackle fly-tipping in Suffolk click here.
-
Food Bags
Recycle: These can be recycled at any Household Waste Recycling Centre in Suffolk. Some larger supermarkets have collection bins for plastic bags, food bags and plastic film but you will need to check in store in advance. (They can't be put in your kerbside recycling bin.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Food Mixer
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Fridges and Freezers
Reuse: Some charities will accept fridge and freezers for reuse. To find your nearest charity click here.
Recycle: Fridge and freezers can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre in the fridge and freezer section. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service. (Please make sure they have been cleared of any contents e.g. food)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Fruit and Vegetable Peelings
Recycle: You can put raw fruit and vegetables and peelings in your kerbside compost bin in Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal.
Home Compost: Raw/ spoilt fruit and vegetable and peelings can be composted in your home compost bin.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Ipswich Suffolk Coastal Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Fruit Punnets
Reduce: Wherever possible try and avoid purchasing overpackaged food items (e.g. individually wrapped cake slices) and reuse/refill plastic drinks bottles and containers.
Recycle: Any plastic bottles (including drinks, cleaning and beauty products) and all moulded plastic food packaging (e.g. tubs, pots, inner trays and black plastic) can be recycled. Remember loose bottle tops are too small to survive the pre-sorting process at the recycling facility and won’t get recycled unless you wash and squash your empty plastics bottles and then place the top back on - then recycle in your kerbside recycling bin or in the plastic bottle container at any Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Help
-
Furniture
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken furniture.
Reuse: Offer furniture in good condition to charity shops (to find your nearest charity click here) or through an online reuse network, sell at a car boot sale, jumble sale or online market place. They can also be offered to friends, neighbours or relatives. Furniture in good condition can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) and placed in the re-use container (ask site staff for details).
Please note - If you want to donate a sofa/ uplholstered furniture to a charity it needs to have the fire labels still attached otherwise they will not be able to take it.
Recycle: Take to any Suffolk HWRCs and place it in the container appropriate to the material the piece of furniture is made of. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Games Consoles
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Garden Furniture
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken furniture.
Reuse: Offer furniture in good condition to charity shops (to find your nearest charity click here) or through an online reuse network, sell at a car boot sale, jumble sale or online market place. They can also be offered to friends, neighbours or relatives. Furniture in good condition can also be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) and placed in the re-use container (ask site staff for details).
Please note - If you want to donate a sofa/ uplholstered furniture to a charity it needs to have the fire labels still attached otherwise they will not be able to take it.
Recycle: Take to any Suffolk HWRCs and place it in the container appropriate to the material the piece of furniture is made of. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Garden Shed (Wood)
Recycle: Wood, items made from wood and natural corks can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the wood container.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Garden Waste
Recycle: You can recycle garden waste in your kerbside compost bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the green container.
Most borough/ district councils will only accept windfall fruit and vegetables (from the garden, not kitchen) in the kerbside compost bin. Ipswich will also accept fruit and vegetables peelings and Suffolk Coastal will accept full food.
Branches going into the kerbside compost bin must be a maximum of 6cm in diameter. If they are any larger please take them to any Suffolk Household Recycling Centre and put them in green container.
Home Compost: All garden waste can be placed in a home composting bin.
Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort require special handling and should not be placed in your kerbside or home composting bin. (See the separate A - Z entries for these weeds to find out more information.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Compost bin - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Gas Bottles and Cylinders
Reuse/ Disposal: Gas cylinders should be returned to the agent or company that you purchased them from for re-use or disposal. Contact details for most of major brands can be found here.
Recycle: Only Calor and Flo gas bottles can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. Please see site staff who will store the bottle safely.
For smaller gas cylinders used for portable stoves, please search again for "Camping gas bottles".
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Glass Bottles and Jars
Recycle: Glass bottles and jars can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre or any glass bringbank.
Tips for glass recycling:
* Make sure that bottles are empty and have been rinsed out - you can put any metal caps and lids in the glass bank but no corks please.
* Don't put window glass, light bulbs, reading glasses, cooking dishes or glass crockery items in glass bins/ banks, however they can all be recycled in different containers at Household Waste Recycling Centres.
* Pyrex glass items cannot be recycled and needs to go in to your kerbside rubbish bin (if not suitable for reuse).
To find your nearest bottle bank go to the RecycleNow Bank LocatorWhere to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Bring banks Help
-
Glass Panes
Recycle: Glass panes, sheet glass and fish tanks can be recycled in flat glass container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. They cannot be recycled in glass banks.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Glasses
Reuse: Some opticians collect unwanted glasses for onward donation to charity. Ask your local charity shop if they will accept reading glasses, prescription glasses, or sunglasses. Vision Aid is a charity which recycles old glasses to help African people gain access to eye care, to find your nearest drop off point for Vision Aid click here.
Recycle: All Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres accept glasses for recycling.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Gloves
Reuse: Wherever possible repair damaged textiles; for example it may be possible to patch ripped garments, or replace buttons or zips, etc. Pass wearable garments onto younger children as hand-me-downs. Offer items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives, or "re-gift" unwanted gifts next Christmas. Garments beyond repair can be torn up and re-used as rags and wipers.
Recycle: Take any unwanted textiles to any textiles or clothing bank (to find your nearest click here) or to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Grass
Recycle: You can recycle garden waste in your kerbside compost bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the green container.
Most borough/ district councils will only accept windfall fruit and vegetables (from the garden, not kitchen) in the kerbside compost bin. Ipswich will also accept fruit and vegetables peelings and Suffolk Coastal will accept full food.
Branches going into the kerbside compost bin must be a maximum of 6cm in diameter. If they are any larger please take them to any Suffolk Household Recycling Centre and put them in green container.
Home Compost: All garden waste can be placed in a home composting bin.
Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort require special handling and should not be placed in your kerbside or home composting bin. (See the separate A - Z entries for these weeds to find out more information.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Compost bin - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Gypsum
Recycle: Only four Household Waste Recycling Centres can take plasterboard: Bury St Edmunds, Foxhall, Lowestoft and Stowmarket. You will be charged for disposing of plasterboard at the Recycling Centres. For more information and a table of prices click here.
Plasterboard must not be contaminated with other materials such as tiles, wood or insulation and must be kept dry.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Foxhall Lowestoft Stowmarket Help
-
Hair
Home Compost: Hair (including human and from pets/animals) is a natural fibre and can be home composted. Try not to introduce it in clumps as the fibres will break down quicker if they are spread out.
Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Hair Straighteners
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Hairdryers
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Hard Plastics
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Hardcore
Reuse: Hardcore and rubble could be donated to a local community project or offered on Freecycle or Freegle.
Recycle: There is a charge for disposing of hardcore, rubble and soil at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. (This includes: breeze blocks, bricks, ceramics (e.g. sinks/toilets), concrete, tiles, flagstones, gravel, sand, soil/turf, stones and tarmac). Prices start from £2, click here for pricing chart. Additional guidance for single item charges can be found here.
For large amounts you could also hire a skip, a skip bag, or dispose of the waste at a commercial waste transfer station (a charge may apply).
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Hazardous Chemicals
Disposal: Hazardous waste such as syringes, poisons, corrosive/flammable liquids, household and garden chemicals (incl. bleach) cannot be placed in your kerbside rubbish bin and are not accepted at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
For advice on hazardous waste or to organise a hazardous waste collection for a charge contact your local Borough/ District council. To find out further information on hazardous waste disposal click here.
-
Headphones
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Healthcare Equipment
Reuse/ Recycle: Unwanted NHS provided healthcare equipment such as crutches and wheelchairs can be taken back to Medequip's collection depots in Bury St Edmunds, Beccles and Ipswich. Contact Medequip for further details or to arrange a collection either by phone 01473 351805 or email suffolk@medequip-uk.com.
In additional to this you can currently take healthcare equipment to three of Suffolk's Household Waste Recycling Centres (Bury St Edmunds, Foxhall and Lowestoft) where they are collected for return to the NHS. Please ask site staff where these items need to be placed.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Foxhall Lowestoft Help
-
Hearing Aids
Reuse/ Recycle: Hearing aids issued by the NHS are the property of the NHS and if no longer needed should be returned to your NHS trust. Other hearing aids can be recycled at some charities or organisations (e.g. The Lions Club). An organisation which you can take, or post, hearing aids to is the Hearing Care Centre in Ipswich.
 
Recycle: Hearing aids can also be recycled by taking them to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and placing them in the small electrical items container.Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Heating Oil
Re-Use: Try advertising your oil tank on Freecycle/Freegle/eBay/Gumtree as somebody may need or have a use for it. We’ve heard of people donating plastic oil tanks to farmers and paintballing centres!
Recycle: Oil tanks cannot be taken to any of Suffolk’s Recycling Centres, even if they are cut up and professionally cleaned.
Most companies who service and replace tanks will take away your unwanted one upon request for it to be recycled.
Empty metal oil tanks can be taken to a local scrap metal company.
If professionally cleaned, empty plastic oil tanks may be accepted by recycling companies (try asking Bolton Brothers Ltd, Bramford Road, Great Blakenham).
If there is any heating oil left in the tank you will need to dispose of the oil first. You can do this through your local borough/district councils charged hazardous waste collection service. You cannot dispose of heating oil at any of Suffolk’s Recycling Centres.
-
Hedge Clippings
Recycle: You can recycle garden waste in your kerbside compost bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the green container.
Most borough/ district councils will only accept windfall fruit and vegetables (from the garden, not kitchen) in the kerbside compost bin. Ipswich will also accept fruit and vegetables peelings and Suffolk Coastal will accept full food.
Branches going into the kerbside compost bin must be a maximum of 6cm in diameter. If they are any larger please take them to any Suffolk Household Recycling Centre and put them in green container.
Home Compost: All garden waste can be placed in a home composting bin.
Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort require special handling and should not be placed in your kerbside or home composting bin. (See the separate A - Z entries for these weeds to find out more information.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Compost bin - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Helium Gas Bottles and Cylinders
Recycle: Helium gas bottles and cylinders can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre as long as they have been de pressurised as per the manufacturer's instructions first.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Hoovers
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Hose Pipes
Disposal: Unfortunately this item is made from a plastic that cannot currently be recycled in Suffolk and so needs to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Ice Cream
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: You can only put dairy food products in Suffolk Coastal kerbside compost bins.
Home Compost: No dairy food products can be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Help
-
Inflatable Plastic Items
Disposal: Unfortunately this item is made from a plastic that cannot currently be recycled in Suffolk and so needs to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Inhalers
Recycle: Many pharmacies collect old inhalers for recycling with the 'Complete the Cycle' Scheme. To find out more and the locations which they can be taken to click here.
-
Ink Cartridges
Reuse: Ink cartridges can be refilled at less cost than buying new, saving waste and money.
Recycle: Many charities now collect ink cartridges for recycling such as the British Red Cross and the RSPCA. You can also recycle your ink cartridges at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
There are also several companies that will collect ink cartridges (including laser printer cartridges) and toners from both householders and businesses on behalf of charities. Usually these services are free of charge by supplying freepost return envelopes or by arranging collections for larger quantities. These companies often collect unwanted mobile phones alongside ink cartridges. Search Tip: Try typing "recycling print cartridges" into your internet search engine.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Intercoms
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Irons
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Japanese Knotweed
Disposal: Invasive plants such as Japanese Knotweed need to be eradicated correctly. For more information and to arrange disposal contact your local borough/ district council.
For further details on how to identify and deal with Japanese Knotweed see the Environment Agency website.
-
Jiffy Bags
Reuse: Wherever possible reuse them to send items or offer them to others through an online reuse network such as Freegle.
Recycle: Any bubble wrap from the envelopes can be recycled (if separated from rest of the packaging) in the plastic bag and film container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Disposal: The envelopes themselves cannot be recycled and they need to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Non - Recyclable Help
-
Jigsaw Puzzles
Reduce: Wherever possible repair damaged games or puzzles.
Reuse: Offer items in good condition to charity shops or through an online reuse network, or sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market place. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives, or "re-gift" unwanted gifts next Christmas.
Recycle: Take to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and place it in the container appropriate to the material the toy is made of (e.g. box cover in cardboard container).
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Jumpers
Reuse: Wherever possible repair damaged textiles; for example it may be possible to patch ripped garments, or replace buttons or zips, etc. Pass wearable garments onto younger children as hand-me-downs. Offer items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives, or "re-gift" unwanted gifts next Christmas. Garments beyond repair can be torn up and re-used as rags and wipers.
Recycle: Take any unwanted textiles to any textiles or clothing bank (to find your nearest click here) or to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Junk Mail
Reduce:
1) The Mailing Preference Service will prevent most unsolicited addressed mail by removing your name from marketing lists based in the UK - Visit their website at www.mpsonline.org.uk or phone 0845 703 4599. To stop the Royal Mail posting unaddressed mail to your home, you must opt out of their service. Contact them at: Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road OXFORD, OX1 1RX or email: optout@royalmail.com
2) Also consider only printing what you actually need as hard copy. Read the news online or on TV as an alternative to buying a daily newspaper.
Reuse: Use old envelopes, or the blank sides of printed sheets, as note paper.
Recycle: All dry paper can be recycled (apart from shredded paper, kitchen towels and tissues) in the kerbside recycling bin, at any paper bank or at any of the Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Compost: Small scraps of paper and shredded paper which may get lost in the recycling process can be put in your home compost bin and in some kerbside composting bins (to find out more click here).
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Kettles
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Keyboards (Computer)
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Keyboards (Instrument)
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Keys
Reuse: Metal items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some metal items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Any metals item can be recycled in the metal container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Metal pots, pans (including metal lids) and trays can be placed in your kerbside recycling bin - as can empty aerosol cans.
You may be able to sell some types of metal (e.g. cars) to your local scrap metal dealer.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Kitchen Scraps
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: Only Suffolk Coastal residents can put cooked food, raw meat and fish (including bones) in their kerbside composting bin.
Home Compost: No cooked or processed food can be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all cooked food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Help
-
Kitchen Towels
Recycle: Used paper napkins and kitchen towels can be put in the kerbside composting bin in Suffolk Coastal and Waveney only.
Home Compost: Used paper napkins and kitchen towels also can be composted in your home compost bin.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Knives
Reuse: Metal items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some metal items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Any metals item can be recycled in the metal container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Metal pots, pans (including metal lids) and trays can be placed in your kerbside recycling bin - as can empty aerosol cans.
You may be able to sell some types of metal (e.g. cars) to your local scrap metal dealer.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Laminated Paper
Disposal: Made of 2 different bonded materials so cannot be recycled. Please place in your kerbside rubbish bin or put in the non-recyclable container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Lamps
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Laptops
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Large Electrical Appliances
Reuse: Some charities will accept large electrical items for reuse. To find your nearest charity click here.
Recycle: Large electrical items can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre in the large domestic appliance section. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service. If you are purchasing a new electrical item to replace an old one, ask whether the shop offers a takeback scheme to recycling your old item.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Laser Printer Cartridges
Reuse: Ink cartridges can be refilled at less cost than buying new, saving waste and money.
Recycle: Many charities now collect ink cartridges for recycling such as the British Red Cross and the RSPCA. You can also recycle your ink cartridges at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
There are also several companies that will collect ink cartridges (including laser printer cartridges) and toners from both householders and businesses on behalf of charities. Usually these services are free of charge by supplying freepost return envelopes or by arranging collections for larger quantities. These companies often collect unwanted mobile phones alongside ink cartridges. Search Tip: Try typing "recycling print cartridges" into your internet search engine.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Laundry Pegs (Plastic)
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Laundry Pegs (Wood)
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken pegs. Reuse: If in good condition you could offer them to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market, as well as offering them to friends, neighbours or relatives. Recycle: Wood and items made from wood can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the wood bin.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Lawnmower (Electric)
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Lawnmower (Petrol)
Reuse: Petrol lawnmowers in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell lawnmowers through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Petrol lawnmowers can be recycled in the metal container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. Please make sure that the petrol tank is completely empty before recycling.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Leather Belts
Reuse: Wherever possible repair damaged belts or pass wearable garments onto younger children as hand-me-downs. Offer items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Sell through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives, or "re-gift" unwanted gifts next Christmas. Recycle: Belts can be placed in the textiles banks at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. Other textiles banks may also accept these however you will need to check on the individual bank first.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Leaves
Recycle: You can recycle garden waste in your kerbside compost bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the green container.
Most borough/ district councils will only accept windfall fruit and vegetables (from the garden, not kitchen) in the kerbside compost bin. Ipswich will also accept fruit and vegetables peelings and Suffolk Coastal will accept full food.
Branches going into the kerbside compost bin must be a maximum of 6cm in diameter. If they are any larger please take them to any Suffolk Household Recycling Centre and put them in green container.
Home Compost: All garden waste can be placed in a home composting bin.
Japanese Knotweed and Ragwort require special handling and should not be placed in your kerbside or home composting bin. (See the separate A - Z entries for these weeds to find out more information.)
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Compost bin - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Help
-
Lego
Reduce: Wherever possible repair broken hard plastic items such as plastic: toys, homeware, gardenware and accessories.
Reuse: Hard plastic items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some hard plastic items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Hard plastic items are not accepted in your kerbside recycling collection bin but can be recycled at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the rigid plastic container.
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Light Bulbs
Recycle: All type of light bulbs including Halogen, fluorescent light bulbs and energy saving light bulbs can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) for recycling.
Several supermarkets and electrical retailers in Suffolk have collection points for low energy & LED light bulbs. To find locations of these collection points please click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Help
-
Lilos
Reuse: If it is in a good condition offer to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity click here). You could sell it through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market place. You could also give it to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Disposal: This item is made from a plastic that cannot currently be recycled and so needs to be disposed of in your kerbside rubbish bin or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Non - Recyclable Help
-
Loam
Reuse: Retain excess soil for planting and potting, or ask your neighbours, friends or relatives if they have any use for it.
Home compost: Small amounts of excess soil can be added to your home compost bin.
Recycle: There is a charge for disposing of hardcore, rubble and soil at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. For more information and a table of prices click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Home Composting Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Loft Insulation
Reduce: The best thing you can do is top up old insulation rather than remove it, unless it is damaged.
Disposal: Loft insulation cannot be recycled but can be disposed of at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the non-recyclable container.
Other recycling options: Non - Recyclable Help
-
Magazines
Reduce:
1) The Mailing Preference Service will prevent most unsolicited addressed mail by removing your name from marketing lists based in the UK - Visit their website at www.mpsonline.org.uk or phone 0845 703 4599. To stop the Royal Mail posting unaddressed mail to your home, you must opt out of their service. Contact them at: Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road OXFORD, OX1 1RX or email: optout@royalmail.com
2) Also consider only printing what you actually need as hard copy. Read the news online or on TV as an alternative to buying a daily newspaper.
Reuse: Use old envelopes, or the blank sides of printed sheets, as note paper.
Recycle: All dry paper can be recycled (apart from shredded paper, kitchen towels and tissues) in the kerbside recycling bin, at any paper bank or at any of the Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Compost: Small scraps of paper and shredded paper which may get lost in the recycling process can be put in your home compost bin and in some kerbside composting bins (to find out more click here).
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Other recycling options: Home Composting Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Masonry
Reuse: Hardcore and rubble could be donated to a local community project or offered on Freecycle or Freegle.
Recycle: There is a charge for disposing of hardcore, rubble and soil at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre. (This includes: breeze blocks, bricks, ceramics (e.g. sinks/toilets), concrete, tiles, flagstones, gravel, sand, soil/turf, stones and tarmac). Prices start from £2, click here for pricing chart. Additional guidance for single item charges can be found here.
For large amounts you could also hire a skip, a skip bag, or dispose of the waste at a commercial waste transfer station (a charge may apply).
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Materials Recycling Facility
All the waste from the kerbside recycling bins in Suffolk goes to the Material Recycling Facility (MRF) in Great Blakenham run by Viridor. When the recycling reaches this facility it is sorted into paper, card, plastics and metals. Each of these materials are then baled and sent on to be recycled into new products.
Not sure what you can put in your kerbside recycling bin, click here
Want to find out more about the sorting process at the MRF, find more information here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Help
-
Mattresses
Reuse: If your mattress is in good condition charity shops may be to take them or alternatively advertise them on an online reuse network (e.g. Freegle).
Disposal: If the mattress is not suitable for reuse it can be taken to any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the non-recyclable container. Alternatively your local borough/ district council offers a charged bulky waste collection service.
Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Non - Recyclable Help
-
Meat
Reduce/Reuse: For food waste reduction tips and ideas for meals made from leftovers see the Love Food, Hate Waste website.
Recycle: Only Suffolk Coastal residents can put cooked food, raw meat and fish (including bones) in their kerbside composting bin.
Home Compost: No cooked or processed food can be put in a standard home compost bin. Only specialist composting systems such as the HotBin or Bokashi kitchen digester can deal with all cooked food waste. To see these and a whole range of other composting systems at subsidised prices click here.
Where to recycle: Kerbside Compost bin - Suffolk Coastal Help
-
Meat Trays (Plastic)
Reduce: Wherever possible try and avoid purchasing overpackaged food items (e.g. individually wrapped cake slices) and reuse/refill plastic drinks bottles and containers.
Recycle: Any plastic bottles (including drinks, cleaning and beauty products) and all moulded plastic food packaging (e.g. tubs, pots, inner trays and black plastic) can be recycled. Remember loose bottle tops are too small to survive the pre-sorting process at the recycling facility and won’t get recycled unless you wash and squash your empty plastics bottles and then place the top back on - then recycle in your kerbside recycling bin or in the plastic bottle container at any Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).
To check out our spiffing 'Plastics - Know Your Place' video and webpage as well as find the answers to frequently asked questions about plastics click here.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Help
-
Medicines
Disposal: Take unwanted medicines to a pharmacy, where they can be disposed of safely. Never throw unused or expired medicines in the rubbish bin or flush them down the toilet. Children could take the medicine from the bin, and medicines that have been flushed down a toilet could end up in the drinking water system or harm the environment.
Also see "Needles"
-
Metal Pots Pans and Trays
Recycle: You can recycle your metal pots, pans and trays in your kerbside recycling bin, or at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre in the metal container. Please note that glass pan lids CAN NOT be placed in your kerbside bin. Glass pan lids rimmed with metal can go into the scrap metal container at any Household Waste Recycling Centre in the county.
Find out more about the Getting Your Recycling Right campaign here.Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Kerbside Recycling - Babergh Forest Heath Ipswich Mid Suffolk St Edmundsbury Suffolk Coastal Waveney Help
-
Metals
Reuse: Metal items in good condition could be offered to charity shops or through an online reuse network. (To find your nearest charity shop click here.) You might also be able to sell some metal items through a car boot sale, jumble sale, or online market. Offer unwanted items to friends, neighbours or relatives.
Recycle: Any metals item can be recycled in the metal container at any Suffolk Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Metal pots, pans (including metal lids) and trays can be placed in your kerbside recycling bin - as can empty aerosol cans.
You may be able to sell some types of metal (e.g. cars) to your local scrap metal dealer.
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Help
-
Microphones
Reduce: Where possible, try to get your broken electricals repaired. If you are confident try searching for online repair tutorials.
Reuse: Offer electrical items in good condition and full working order to charity shops or through an online reuse network. Donate small electricals in working condition at any Suffolk Recycling Centre where they are tested and sold either at The Benjamin Foundation Reuse Shop or by local charities Gatehouse and Ipswich Furniture Project. (If you are looking to donate computers/ laptops/ phones please make sure you wipe the hard drives/ memory or remove memory cards first as the charities may not do this.)
Recycle: If the electrical items are beyond repair you could:
- Check whether your retailer has a take back scheme
- Take them to any Suffolk Recycling Centre and place in small electricals items container
- In Ipswich and Suffolk Coastal you can take items to small electrical recycling banks (Find your local recycling points here)*Electrical items (mains and battery powered) must NOT be thrown away in your rubbish bin. They contain small quantities of hazardous material as well as precious metals and should be properly recycled.*
Where to recycle: Household Waste Recycling Centres - Bury Felixstowe Foxhall Hadleigh Haverhill Ipswich Leiston Lowestoft Mildenhall Stowmarket Sudbury Other recycling options: Reduce & Re-use Bring banks Help
-
Microwaves