Waste and recycling directory
Aerosols
You can take them to a household waste and recycling centre.
Please make sure:
- cans are empty before you dispose of them
- cans are not pierced or squashed
Appliances (household)
See "White goods".
Asbestos
See "Hazardous waste".
Audio cassettes
You can take these and video tapes to your nearest household waste and recycling centre.
Batteries (car)
Household waste and recycling centres will accept up to two car batteries per year from householders.
Batteries (household)
You can take household-type batteries to a household waste and recycling centre.
This includes water batteries, AA, AAA, C and D type batteries and rectangular types.
Bicycles
Unwanted bicycles can be donated to bike recycling projects such as the Oxford Cycle Workshop (external website, opens in a new window).
You can also recycle your bike through either the Freecycle network or the Freegle network (external websites, links open in a new window).
Bicycles can be disposed of using our special collections for bulky items. Please note: Because we are unable to recycle these items at present they are put into landfill.
If your bike is beyond repair, you can recycle the metal parts at a household waste and recycling centre.
Books
Give unwanted books to your local charity shop or use the Freecycle network (external website, opens in a new window).
Alternatively you can recycle your books through the Freegle network (external website, opens in a new window).
Paperback books can be recycled using your kerbside collection (green box) or you can take them to a local recycling centre. More about the green box - paper and cardboard collection.
Bottles and jars (glass)
Glass bottles and jars can be recycled. Take glass bottles and jars to a recycling centre.
Bottles (plastic)
See "Plastic bottles".
Cans (steel and aluminium)
Cans can be recycled using your kerbside collection (black box). Please wash and squash cans before they go into the box. More about the black box - plastic and cans collection.
You can also take these to a recycling centre.
Cardboard (any)
Cardboard can be recycled using your kerbside collection (green box). More about the green box - paper and cardboard collection.
You can also take this to a recycling centre.
Wycombe Resource Zone collects safe waste materials from businesses and individuals and makes them available to community groups. More about equipment and materials for community groups.
Carpet
Advertise carpet for sale locally or give it away using either the Freecycle or Freegle network (external websites, links open in a new window).
Carpet can be disposed of using our special collections for bulky items. Conditions apply. Contact us for more information. Please note: Because we are unable to recycle these items at present they are put into landfill.
Carrier bags
Return carrier bags to collection points at all main supermarket sites.
To cut down on carrier bags, why not use a bag for life? You could keep these in the boot of your car, ready for your next shopping trip.
Cartons (food and drink)
You cannot recycle these at present in the Wycombe district. Some neighbouring authorities offer carton recycling. Visit the Tetra-Pak recycling website to see locations (external website, opens in new window).
Cartridges (printer/copier)
Some charities and not-for-profit organisations will recycle your toner and ink cartridges to raise money.
Visit the Recycling Appeal website to find out which charities recycle cartridges (external website, opens in a new window).
The Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe collects cartridges to raise funds. Old toner cartridges (and mobile phones) can be left at reception, marked for the attention of the Enterprise Office.
Catalogues
Catalogues can be recycled using your kerbside collection (green box). More about the green box - paper and cardboard collection.
You can also take these to a recycling centre.
CDs and DVDs
Give unwanted CDs and DVDs to your local charity shop or use either the Freecycle network or the Freegle network (external websites, links open in a new window).
Some major online retailers allow you to sell CDs and DVDs to other customers using their websites.
Chemicals (household)
See "Hazardous waste".
Christmas cards
Take your cards to collection points for the Woodland Trust Christmas card recycling scheme at WH Smith, Tesco, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer.
Cards can also be recycled using your kerbside collection (green box). More about the green box - paper and cardboard collection.
Christmas trees
Special Christmas tree recycling projects are set up in garden centres each January. Details are advertised on our website in December and January each year.
Christmas trees can also be recycled at your local household waste and recycling centre.
Clinical waste
We offer a free clinical waste collection following a medical referral.
Clothes
Give unwanted clothes to your local charity shop or use either the Freecycle network or the Freegle network (external websites, links open in a new window).
You can also take these to a recycling centre that accepts textiles.
Compost
Food and garden waste can be recycled using your kerbside collection (green bin). More about the green bin - food and garden waste collection.
You can also take compostable garden waste to your local household waste and recycling centre.
Alternatively, you can compost garden waste and certain food waste yourself. More about composting.
Computers
Advertise computers for sale locally or use either the Freecycle network or the Freegle network (external websites, links open in a new window).
You can also donate old computers to charities who will make good use of them.
Note: make sure your personal information is removed from your computer before you dispose of it. For further information on safely disposing of your old computer, please visit the GetSafeOnline (External website, link opens in a new window) website.
Cookers
See "White goods".
Cooking oil
Cooking oil can be taken to your local household waste and recycling centre.
Crockery and cutlery
Some local charity shops take cutlery and crockery. Metal cutlery can be recycled at a household waste and recycling centre.
DIY waste
You can take household DIY waste to a household waste and recycling centre.Conditions may apply.
Electrical or electronic goods
Some retailers will take back old electrical goods when you buy a replacement from them. See the Recycle Now website for more about waste electronics (external website, opens in a new window).
You can now recycle all domestic electrical and electronic equipment at your household waste and recycling centre. Recycling costs are met by the companies who make the goods.
Fire extinguishers
Household waste and recycling centres accept small fire extinguishers for recycling. They do not take fire extinguishers that were for trade use only.
Fluorescent lighting tubes
See "Light bulbs".
Foil
See "Metal".
Food waste
Some food waste can be composted. More about composting.
All cooked and uncooked food waste can be recycled using your kerbside collection (green bin). More about the green bin - food and garden waste collection.
Fridges and freezers
See "White goods".
Furnishings
Advertise furnishings for sale locally, give them away to a local charity or use either the Freecycle network or the Freegle network (external websites, links open in a new window).
Furnishings can be disposed of using our special collections for bulky items. Please note: Because we are unable to recycle these items at present they are put into landfill.
You can also take furnishings to a household waste and recycling centre.
Furniture
Advertise furniture for sale locally, give them away to a local charity or use either the Freecycle network or the Freegle network (external websites, links open in a new window).
Furniture can be disposed of using our special collections for bulky items. Please note: Because we are unable to recycle these items at present they are put into landfill.
You can also take furniture to a household waste and recycling centre.
Garden waste
Garden waste can go into your compost bin. More about composting.
Garden waste can also be recycled using your kerbside collection (green bin). More about the green bin - food and garden waste collection.
Gas cylinders or bottles
Most gas cylinders or bottles can be returned to the retailer or supplier.
Up to three gas bottles from householders are accepted at any household waste and recycling centre. This material is not accepted from trade.
Do not place gas cylinders in your bin. They may explode if they are crushed.
Glass - bottles and jars
See "Bottles and jars".
Glass - other
At present, we can only recycle glass bottles and jars. Other types of glass are not currently accepted for recycling in Bucks.
Glasses
See "Spectacles".
Handbags
Take these to your local charity shop.
Hazardous waste
Household waste and recycling centres will accept a small quantity of hazardous waste from householders. They do not accept any hazardous waste from trade. For more information see household waste and recycling centre.
Hearing aids
Unwanted hearing aids are collected at a variety of places such as doctors' surgeries, hospital audiology departments and some charity shops. Please check that hearing aids are accepted before dropping them off.
The hearing aids collected are usually refurbished and sent overseas for reuse in developing countries.
Junk mail
Paper junk mail can be recycled using your kerbside collection (green box). More about the green box - paper and cardboard collection. Alternatively take any junk mail to your local recycling centre.
Note: to help prevent identity theft, shred any unwanted mail containing personal details before recycling it.
To reduce the amount of junk mail you receive you can:
- Use the mail preference service (MPS). This is a free service which allows you to have your name removed from most mailing lists in the UK. Find out more from the MPS website (external website, opens in a new window).
- For un-addressed mail, use the Royal Mail's door to door opt-out service. Visit the Royal Mail's controlling your mail web pages to find out more (external website, opens in a new window).
- For un-addressed mail, request a "no junk mail" sticker to place on your door from Bucks County Council on 01296 382 307 or email them at waste_strategy@buckscc.gov.uk.
Light bulbs and tubes
Household waste and recycling centres will accept a small number of fluorescent tubes and light bulbs including low energy light bulbs from householders. They do not take them from trade.
We are unable to collect fluorescent lighting tubes in the grey bin or bulky items collection services.
Low energy light bulbs should not be placed in your refuse for collection.
Other locations exist for the collection of low energy light bulbs. These will be handled safely and recycled in an appropriate manner. For details of local outlets and alternative disposal points please visit Recolight and use the collection point map.
Magazines
Magazines can be recycled using your kerbside collection (green box). More about the green box - paper and cardboard collection. Or you can take these to a recycling centre.
Medicines
Return unused or out of date medicines to your chemist or pharmacy.
Metal
Use a scrap metal bank at a household waste and recycling centre. Foil can also be recycled at some of the recycling centres in the Wycombe district.
Steel tins and aluminium cans can be recycled within the district. See "Cans (steel and aluminium)"
Mobile phones
Some charities and not-for-profit organisations will recycle your old mobile phones to raise money or refurbish and send to developing countries.
Visit the Recycling Appeal website to find out which charities recycle mobile phones (external website, opens in a new window).
The Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe collects mobiles to raise funds. Old mobile phones (and toner cartridges) can be left at reception, marked for the attention of the Enterprise Office. More about the Royal Grammar School and recycling (external website, opens in a new window).
Note: Make sure you remove the SIM card and all personal information from the phone before you give it away.
Musical instruments
Advertise musical instruments for sale locally, give them away to a local charity or use the Freecycle network (external website, opens in a new window).
Alternatively you could use the Freegle network (external website, opens in a new window).
Newspapers
Newspapers can be recycled using your kerbside collection (green box). More about the green box - paper and cardboard collection. Or you can take these to a recycling centre.
Oil - engine
Household waste and recycling centres will dispose of up to 10 litres of waste engine oil a year.
Paint
Paint is reused rather than recycled. Community RePaint is a network of paint donation schemes. Visit the Community RePaint website to find out more (external website, opens in a new window).
Paint cans go in the scrap metal bank at household waste and recycling centres if they are empty and dry.
Paper
Paper can be recycled using your kerbside collection (green box). More about the green box - paper and cardboard collection. Or you can take paper to a recycling centre.
Wycombe Resource Zone collects safe waste materials from businesses and individuals and makes them available to community groups. More about equipment and materials for community groups.
Plastic bags
See "Carrier bags".
Plastic bottles
Plastic bottles can be recycled using your kerbside collection (black box). More about the black box - plastic bottles and cans collection. Or you can take plastic bottles to a recycling centre. Note: only High Heavens has a plastic bottle bank at the household waste and recycling centre in the Wycombe district.
Plastic - other
Other types of plastic such as margarine tubs, ice cream and yogurt containers cannot be recycled with the Wycombe district at present.
Some neighbouring authorities offer carton recycling. Visit the Tetra-Pak recycling website to see locations (external website, opens in new window).
Shoes
Give unwanted shoes and boots to your local charity shop or use either the Freecycle network or the Freegle network (external websites, links open in a new window).
Shoes can also be recycled in shoe banks at household waste and recycling centres.
Soil
Household waste and recycling centres will accept small amounts of soil for reuse.
Spectacles
Some opticians collect old glasses and donate these to charity for reuse in developing countries. Ask your optician if they operate such a scheme.
Tetra-Pak cartons
See "Cartons".
Toys
Advertise toys for sale locally, give them away to a local charity or use either the Freecycle network or the Freegle network (external websites, links open in a new window).
Trade waste
Non-hazardous trade waste is accepted on weekdays at household waste and recycling centres. For more information on trade waste see our commercial waste page.
Televisions
See "Electrical or electronic goods."
Tyres
Household waste and recycling centres will accept up to five car tyres from householders. They do not accept tyres from trade or commercial type tyres.
Video tapes
See "Audio cassettes"
White goods
Household appliances such as cookers, dishwashers, freezers, fridges and washing machines can be disposed of using our special collections for bulky items. Please note: Because we are unable to recycle these items at present they are put into landfill.
If an old appliance is still in working order, a local charity or a member of the Freecycle network may like it (external website, opens in a new window).
Alternatively you could use the Freegle network, as long as it is still in working order (external website, opens in a new window).
If you are buying a replacement appliance, check with the retailer, they may collect your old appliance and dispose of it for you.
Or you can take appliances to any household waste and recycling centre. They do not accept commercial appliances.
Wrapping paper
Provided the wrapping paper tears like paper, you can recycle it using your kerbside collection (green box). More about the green box - paper and cardboard collection.
It can also be recycled at your nearest recycling centre.
Plastic, foil or laminated types of wrapping paper cannot be recycled and should be placed in your grey refuse bin. More about the grey bin - household waste collection.
Wycombe Resource Zone collects safe waste materials from businesses and individuals and makes them available to community groups. More about equipment and materials for community groups.