What do I do with...?

If you are looking for information on what to do with a specific item, we have a tool on called Waste Wizard that can help you find out how to recycle or dispose of items in Gloucestershire.

Check out the Waste Wizard 🧙‍♂️

Blister packs are difficult to recycle. Both Boots and Superdrug have take back schemes but they are limited to certain locations and small quantities. The best option at home is to place them in your non-recycling bin.

Blister packs are difficult to recycle. Both Boots and Superdrug have take back schemes but they are limited to certain locations and small quantities. The best option at home is to place them in your non-recycling bin.

All five of our Household Recycling Centres accept textiles and shoes, which are processed and sorted. Items that are good quality will go for reuse as whole garments and low quality products are sent to the rag industry or for textile recycling. We recently went to the facility that does this and filmed a video â–¶ Watch it here 🎥

All five of our Household Recycling Centres accept textiles and shoes, which are processed and sorted. Items that are good quality will go for reuse as whole garments and low quality products are sent to the rag industry or for textile recycling. We recently went to the facility that does this and filmed a video â–¶ Watch it here 🎥

Bulbs of any size or style can be recycled at our Household Recycling Centres. Some DIY stores like B&Q also accept them, with a section at the exit for batteries, bulbs and small electricals.

🧙‍♂️ Ask Waste Wizard what to do with an item if you aren't sure

Bulbs of any size or style can be recycled at our Household Recycling Centres. Some DIY stores like B&Q also accept them, with a section at the exit for batteries, bulbs and small electricals.

🧙‍♂️ Ask Waste Wizard what to do with an item if you aren't sure

These are not currently recyclable kerbside (apart from a trial in some areas of Cheltenham). Generally supermarkets and large chain stores such as Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Coop and Sainsburys take crisp packets, carrier bags, plastic film from packaging such as ready meal lids, bubble wrap, cling film etc. They will have a container, usually near the entrance and you can find more about this on their websites. Find out more about soft plastics here.

These are not currently recyclable kerbside (apart from a trial in some areas of Cheltenham). Generally supermarkets and large chain stores such as Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Coop and Sainsburys take crisp packets, carrier bags, plastic film from packaging such as ready meal lids, bubble wrap, cling film etc. They will have a container, usually near the entrance and you can find more about this on their websites. Find out more about soft plastics here.

Some wrapping papers contain plastics and are not recyclable. Others are paper based and can be recycled with your paper as normal. The best way to check is to do the scrunch test. If it doesn't stay in a ball after scrunching and letting go, it likely contains plastic and isn't recyclable. . If you are unsure, place it in your general waste bin. 

Some wrapping papers contain plastics and are not recyclable. Others are paper based and can be recycled with your paper as normal. The best way to check is to do the scrunch test. If it doesn't stay in a ball after scrunching and letting go, it likely contains plastic and isn't recyclable. . If you are unsure, place it in your general waste bin. 

Always recycle anything with a plug, battery or cable, including Christmas lights that no longer work. To find out the easiest way for you to recycle small electricals, ask the Waste Wizard. Please do not put anything with a battery in your non-recycling bin as this can cause fires.

Always recycle anything with a plug, battery or cable, including Christmas lights that no longer work. To find out the easiest way for you to recycle small electricals, ask the Waste Wizard. Please do not put anything with a battery in your non-recycling bin as this can cause fires.

Generally a good rule is, if something is mixed materials i.e. for this wrapper you can see one side is foil and one side is paper, then they can’t be recycled. This is because the facilities cannot separate out the two materials once they have been stuck together.

Wrappers that have foil on one side (such as a chocolate bar) should not be put in the kerbside recycling containers, and should go in your household waste bin.

Generally a good rule is, if something is mixed materials i.e. for this wrapper you can see one side is foil and one side is paper, then they can’t be recycled. This is because the facilities cannot separate out the two materials once they have been stuck together.

Wrappers that have foil on one side (such as a chocolate bar) should not be put in the kerbside recycling containers, and should go in your household waste bin.

At present toothbrushes are difficult to recycle. The only option at the moment is to use a free scheme like this The Philips Dental Care Free Recycling Programme | TerraCycle® UK · TerraCycle . Toothpaste tubes are starting to be made from a recyclable material, although we are currently unsure if all facilities in the UK are able to process these. Please continue to place these in your non recycling bin until your council confirms that they are accepted.
At present toothbrushes are difficult to recycle. The only option at the moment is to use a free scheme like this The Philips Dental Care Free Recycling Programme | TerraCycle® UK · TerraCycle . Toothpaste tubes are starting to be made from a recyclable material, although we are currently unsure if all facilities in the UK are able to process these. Please continue to place these in your non recycling bin until your council confirms that they are accepted.
Not all Councils are part of the Podback scheme so  check your local Council to see if you are able to recycle coffee pods kerbside. 
You are able to sign up to Podback  Drop-off Service  as a resident and drop them off to your nearest drop off point if there is one near you.
Alternatively place them in your non-recycling bin.
Not all Councils are part of the Podback scheme so  check your local Council to see if you are able to recycle coffee pods kerbside. 
You are able to sign up to Podback  Drop-off Service  as a resident and drop them off to your nearest drop off point if there is one near you.
Alternatively place them in your non-recycling bin.

You can bring paint tins to the Household Recycling Centres to be disposed of and the site staff will guide you to the correct skip to put them in.

You can bring paint tins to the Household Recycling Centres to be disposed of and the site staff will guide you to the correct skip to put them in.

Last reviewed: