Rochford residents have been working hard to increase our recycling rate. We’ve put together a simple four-step guide which we hope will help you to recycle even more.
Recyclables bin
The following are the only materials accepted in the recyclables bin:
- Paper and cardboard
- Glass bottles and jars
- Food and drink cans/tins
- Aluminium food packaging and clean foil
- Household plastic packaging
- Plastic bottles
- Aerosols
- Plastic shopping carrier bags
So many items fall into the category of ‘household plastic packaging’ that it’s impossible to list them all. As a rule of thumb – if the plastic packaging is rigid such as a margarine tub then it can go in the recyclables bin. On the other hand, non-rigid plastic film lids such as those found on meat trays need to go into the non-recyclables bin. Materials should be rinsed out as necessary. Bottle lids can also be recycled but need to be removed first and put into the bin separately.
Compostables bin
The two categories of materials accepted in the compostables bin are food and garden waste:
- Food waste (raw or cooked food including meat and fish bones tea bags, coffee grounds, egg shells etc)
- Garden cuttings (including grass, flowers and hedge clippings)
Soil, compost and turf can’t be accepted.
Please ensure liners or bags are bio-degradable (look out for the compostable symbol).
Alternatively, items may be wrapped in single sheets of newspaper or kitchen paper towel.
Non-recyclables bin
- Any materials which can’t be recycled in the other two bins, for example bin liners, nappies, personal hygiene products, crisp packets or cling film.
If an item can’t go in either of the other two bins, then it needs to go in the non-recyclables bin (apart from special types of waste – see step 4).
If you’re not sure if an item is recyclable or not – put it in the nonrecyclables bin. Even better, check our website or contact the recycling team who will be happy to help!
Beyond the three bins…
There are certain items which can’t be accepted in any of the three bins but there are alternatives:
Recycling banks
The Council runs a network of recycling banks across the District.
Recycling Centre for Household Waste
For information regarding what is accepted at the Recycling Centre for Household Waste in Castle Road, Rayleigh, please contact Essex County Council on 0845 603 7625, or visit www.recycleforessex.co.uk
Kerbside Textile Recycling
Textiles can be recycled using the kerbside textiles recycling collection provided by Essex Textiles, call 01702 544720 or visit www.essextextiles.co.uk
Bulky Waste Collection & Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
The Council offers a collection service for bulky items of waste, such as furniture, as well as the collection of electrical household items. There is a charge for this service. Electrical items will be recycled, but furniture will be taken to landfill, so consider whether the items can be reused and donated to charity before you book a collection.
Alternatively, there are organisations which reuse your old or unwanted items, such as the Hamelin Trust – 01277 653889 www.hamelintrust.org.uk/collectionservices.html
Finally, if you are still stuck over one or two particular items then visit our A-Z recycling guide at www.rochford.gov.uk/recyclingatoz
December 21st, 2009 at 10:03 am
Looking for the phone number for how to arrange collection of a broken fridge, mentioned on this page but no contact detaila
December 21st, 2009 at 11:15 am
Hi Keith,
Thank you for your comment.
To arrange a bulky goods collection please call 01702 318079. For more information about the service, please see this page on our main website – http://www.rochford.gov.uk/environment/recycling/bulky_waste_and_weee_waste_el.aspx
Thanks.
January 3rd, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Hi,
I’ve lost track of which bin I should be putting out this week – purple or grey. Is there a calendar somewhere on your website that I can find this information?
K Jesty
January 4th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Thank you for your comment.
Bin collections are now back to normal.
This week is non recyclables and green/food waste collection.
Thanks.
February 16th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Hi,
Perhaps you could make a more detailed list of items esp. plastics which can be recycyled?
Tooth brushes? Toothpaste tubes? Bread bags? etc etc Which plastic numbers can you recycle at present?
We want to help. Give us the infomation !
February 17th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your comment on our blog. We have a Recycling A to Z feature on our website which can help with your queries on specific items – you can find this at http://www.rochford.gov.uk/recyclingatoz . These items you mention are covered in the list, but if you think of anymore, please let the recycling team know by emailing recycle@rochford.gov.uk and they can include additional items in A to Z.
Thank you for your input.
February 18th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
I think I read somewhere on your site that recyclable items must be put in the bin loose. (This doesn’t seem to be common practice.) Is that correct?, or can I put collected recyclable items in a white bin liner and then put the bag direcly into the bin?
Thanks
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Dear Gill,
You are correct in thinking that recyclables should be placed loose into the recyclables bin. This is to enable the items to be machine sorted at the recycling centre. No bin liners or black sacks should be placed into the recyclables bin at all, however, shop carrier bags can be recycled but must also be placed loose into the bin with nothing inside them.
Thank you for your interest in recycling.
April 5th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Hi,
I’ve lost track of which bin I should be putting out this week – purple or grey. Is there a calendar somewhere on your website that I can find this information?
Jo
April 6th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Dear Jo,
During the week commencing April 5, the compostables and recyclables bin (grey bin) will be collected.
More information about collection days can be found on this page:
http://www.rochford.gov.uk/environment/recycling/kerbside_collection_days.aspx
where you can find out which day your collection day is, and in the ‘Related Documents’ section – there is a calendar (2010 is on page 2 of the PDF) which shows which bins are collected on each week.
If you have any more queries, please contact us on recycling@rochford.gov.uk or call 01702 318111
Many thanks