1. Residents
  2. Rubbish and recycling
  3. A to Z of rubbish

A to Z of rubbish

A

Aerosols

  • Before recycling, make sure the aerosol is completely empty and do not crush
  • Place aerosols in the main part of your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Air beds

  • Air beds are made from plastics that currently can't be recycled
  • You can dispose of them in your rubbish bin
  • Alternatively, you can place them in the general waste container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Air fresheners (aerosol)

  • Before recycling, make sure the aerosol is completely empty and do not crush 
  • Place the aerosol in the main part of your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin

Air fresheners (electric)

  • Place the glass bottle part in the caddy
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the glass recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • The plug-in part can be treated as an electrical item and recycled in the collection boxes at: the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip, White Swan Centre in Killingworth, North Shields Customer First Centre, Wallsend Customer First Centre, Whitley Bay Customer First Centre, Oxford Centre, Battle Hill Library, John Willie Sams Centre in Dudley, or the council’s headquarters at Cobalt Business Park

Air fresheners (plastic)

  • Plastic air fresheners are not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin

Alarm clocks (electrical)

  • Fully functional alarm clocks can be donated to local charity shops or an online reuse network
  • If beyond repair, this can be treated as a small electrical item and recycled in the collection boxes at: the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip, White Swan Centre in Killingworth, North Shields Customer First Centre, Wallsend Customer First Centre, Whitley Bay Customer First Centre, Oxford Centre, Battle Hill Library, John Willie Sams Centre in Dudley, or the council’s headquarters at Cobalt Business Park.

Aluminium cans

  • Before recycling, wash and squash cans
  • Place cans in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Aluminium food trays and foil (pie and quiche trays, sweet mince pie cases)

  • Before recycling, if required rinse to remove food residue
  • Place in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin

Animal bedding

  • Hay, straw and sawdust
    • Aren't currently recycled
    • Do not put in your garden waste bin
    • However, they can be composted in your home compost bin
  • Other bedding​
    Please check whether pet beds and bedding can be donated to a charity or try an online reuse network, or, for the following items:
    • Pet blankets, towels and beds made from fabric
    • Fabric pet blankets, towels and beds are not currently recycled
    • Dispose of them in your rubbish bin
    • Alternatively, you can place them in the general waste container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • Plastic animal beds
    • Place animal beds in the rigid plastics container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Animal and pet waste

  • Please bag all pet waste before disposing of it in your rubbish bin
  • Animal and pet waste is not currently recycled

Asbestos

  • Asbestos removal is extremely hazardous. North Tyneside Council do not collect asbestos. Private companies can make arrangements to take asbestos away at a charge.
  • Asbestos can be deposited at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip. It must be double bagged and the resident will be required to show proof of their address (utility bill etc).
  • For further advice on the safe disposal of asbestos, contact Envirolink on 0345 2000 103

Ash from wood burners, coal fires etc (bagged)

  • Please bag all ash before disposing of it in your rubbish bin
  • Ash cannot be recycled

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B

Bath towels

  • Can be donated to some charity shops
  • Can be recycled at some charity bring banks and the household waste and recycling centre
  • Please do not place bath towels in your grey recycling bin

Batteries (domestic)

  • Many retailers and supermarkets have battery disposal points so please take your batteries to these points
  • Do not place batteries in your recycling or general waste bins
  • There are battery disposal points available in some public buildings such as libraries
  • Batteries can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Batteries (lithium)

  • Lithium batteries are found in mobile phones, cameras and e-Cigarette batteries
  • The + and - terminals on the batteries should be taped over ideally with isolation tape but if sellotape is all you have at home then it does the job too
  • Once taped over, lithium batteries can be disposed of in the same way as domestic batteries

Batteries (motor vehicle)

  • Motor vehicle batteries can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Bedding

  • Some charities accept sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases
  • Alternatively, it can be recycled at some charity banks and the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip. Find your nearest recycling point on our map
  • Some animal rescue centres also accept bedding for reuse as animal bedding

Beds

  • See furniture

Bicycles

  • Bicycles can be donated to local charity shops or an online reuse network
  • Bicycles can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip from where they are collected for reuse or recycling by charities

Bicycle tyres

  • Bicycle tyres are not currently recycled
  • Therefore, you can dispose of them in your rubbish bin
  • Alternatively, you can place them in the general waste container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Birthday cards

  • Place birthday cards in your grey recycling bin. Please remove any stuck-on decorations first as these cannot be recycled
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • Birthday cards with glitter decoration cannot be recycled, put these in your general waste bin
  • Please do not place cards in your garden waste bin

Biscuit tins (metal and plastic)

  • Place biscuit tins in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Biscuit wrappers

  • Biscuit wrappers are not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin

Black plastic food trays, e.g. ready meal trays

  • Black plastic food trays are not currently recycled
  • Therefore, you can dispose of them in your rubbish bin

Bones

  • Bones are not currently recycled
  • ​Do not place them in your home compost bin or garden waste bin
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin

Books

  • Books can be donated to local charity shops
  • Alternatively, they can be taken to some charity banks
  • Books can be placed in your grey recycling bin

Bottles and jars

  • Remove tops, caps and lids
  • Before recycling, please rinse
  • Place bottles, jars, caps, tops and lids in your grey recycling bin. All glass should be placed in your caddy.
  • For shared recycling facilities, glass in the glass recycling bin and other bottles, tops and lids in the mixed recycling bin.
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Bottle tops (metal and plastic)

  • Place bottle tops in the main body of your grey recycling bin
  • Tops and caps from plastic bottles should be put back on the bottle after it has been rinsed out and squashed. This stops the tops getting lost in the recycling process
  • For shared recycling facilities place bottle tops in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycle Centre/tip

Bras

  • Bras can be donated in bra banks. For every tonnage of bras collected the money raised is used to help fund research into Breast Cancer. The council has made a bra bank available at its HQ in the Cobalt Business Park. To find your nearest bra bank visit Bra Bank recycling point.

Brochures

  • Place brochures in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bins
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Bubblewrap

  • Bubblewrap is not currently recycled
  • You can dispose of it in your rubbish bin
  • Alternatively, it can be kept and reused to package fragile items or gifts

Butter tubs

  • Remove all food residue
  • Wash and dry tubs and place in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin

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C

Cans

  • Before recycling, wash and squash your cans
  • Place cans in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Cardboard

  • Before recycling, fold and squash cardboard
  • Place cardboard in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place it in the mixed recycling bin
  • It can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip 

Carpets

  • Can be donated to a local charity or shared through an online reuse network
  • Carpets can be disposed of at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip but can not be recycled
  • Also see our web page for collection of special or bulky items. There is a charge for this service. Charges vary depending on the size, type or quantity of bulky waste. For further information or to arrange a collection please contact Envirolink on 0345 2000 103.

Carrier bags

  • Carrier bags are not currently recycled
  • However, you can keep them to reuse (check local supermarkets for schemes)

Cartons, e.g. chopped tomatoes, sauces, long life milk cartons

  • Before recycling, wash and squash
  • Place cartons in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Cassette and video tapes

  • Some charities may accept donations of these
  • Otherwise, dispose of them in your rubbish bin

Catalogues

  • Place catalogues in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bins
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

CDs

  • CDs are not currently recycled, put them in your general waste bin
  • However, unwanted CDs can be donated to some charity shops

CD cases

  • Do not place CD cases in your grey recycling bin
  • You can place them in the hard-plastic container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Cellophane

  • Cellophane is not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of it in your rubbish bin

Cereal boxes

  • Before recycling, remove the inner bag and fold and squash the cardboard box (the inner bag is not recyclable)
  • Place cereal boxes in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Chargers

  • Small electrical appliances, including chargers, can be recycled in the collection boxes at: the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip, White Swan Centre in Killingworth, North Shields Customer First Centre, Wallsend Customer First Centre, Whitley Bay Customer First Centre, Oxford Centre, Battle Hill Library, John Willie Sams Centre in Dudley, or the council’s headquarters at Cobalt Business Park.

Christmas trees

  • Natural Christmas trees can be chopped up and placed in your garden waste bin, recycled at a designated collection point or taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • ​Artificial Christmas trees are not currently recycled

Christmas decorations

  • Baubles (glass and plastic) and tinsel are not currently recycled, but can be donated to a charity shop.
  • Broken Christmas tree lights can be recycled in the small electricals collection boxes at: the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip, White Swan Centre in Killingworth, North Shields Customer First Centre, Wallsend Customer First Centre, Whitley Bay Customer First Centre, Oxford Centre, Battle Hill Library, John Willie Sams Centre in Dudley, or the council’s headquarters at Cobalt Business Park. Please remove any batteries first – these go in the separate battery collection boxes alongside.

Cling film

  • Not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of it in your rubbish bin

Clothing

  • Clothing can be donated to charity shops or through an online reuse network
  • Alternatively, it can be recycled at some bring sites and the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip. Find your nearest recycling point on our map 

Coffee grounds and filters

  • Coffee grounds and filters are not currently recycled
  • However, they can be composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online

Computers

  • Computers, small peripherals, such as keyboards and printers can be recycled in the small electricals collection boxes at: the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip, White Swan Centre in Killingworth, North Shields Customer First Centre, Wallsend Customer First Centre, Whitley Bay Customer First Centre, Oxford Centre, Battle Hill Library, John Willie Sams Centre in Dudley, or the council’s headquarters at Cobalt Business Park.
  • If you’re getting rid of computer equipment, make sure you protect your personal details and destroy the hard drive before disposal. To do this, take the computer apart, remove the hard drive and smash it with a hammer or drill holes in it to ensure no one can access your data.

Cookers

  • Cookers can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • Also see our web page for collection of special or bulky items. There is a charge for this service. Charges vary depending on the size, type or quantity of bulky waste. For further information or to arrange a collection please contact Envirolink on 0345 2000 103.

Cooking oil

  • Cooking oil/vegetable oil can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycle Centre/tip (to a maximum of 7.5 litres)
  • Or carefully pour into a plastic container and dispose of it in your general household waste bin
  • Empty plastic oil bottles must be thoroughly washed before placing in your grey recycling bin

Cream pots (plastic)

  • These can be recycled along with the clear plastic lid 
  • Remove all food residue
  • Wash and dry pots before placing them in your blue bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin

Crisp packets

  • Not currently recycled, though some schools and community centres may collect them. Search online to find your nearest scheme
  • Or dispose of them in your general waste bin 

Curtains

  • Curtains can be donated to charity shops or through an online reuse network
  • Alternatively, they can be recycled at some bring sites and the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip. Find your nearest recycling point on our map

Cutlery

  • Metal cutlery can be donated to charity shops
  • Alternatively, it can be disposed of in the metals container at the household waste and recycling centre/tip, and plastic cutlery can be placed in the plastic containers

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D

Drinks cans

  • Before recycling, squash your cans
  • Place cans in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Duvets and pillows

  • Duvets and pillows are not currently recycled
  • Some homeware retailers accept duvets for recycling, please check online
  • Some animal rescue centres accept duvets to reuse as bedding for the animals
  • However, duvet covers, pillow cases, sheets and blankets can be recycled at some bring sites and the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip. Find your nearest recycling point on our map

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E

Egg boxes

  • Before recycling, fold and crush
  • Place egg boxes in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Egg shells

  • Eggs shells are not currently recycled
  • However, they can be composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online

Electrical appliances (large) – washing machines, dish washers etc

  • Large electrical appliances can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • Also see our web page for collection of special or bulky items. There is a charge for this service. Charges vary depending on the size, type or quantity of bulky waste. For further information or to arrange a collection please contact Envirolink on 0345 2000 103.

Electrical appliances (small)

  • Please do not place these in any of your household bins.
  • Small electrical appliances such as toasters, kettles, radios, hairdryers, e-cigs and vapes, phones and chargers can be recycled in the collection boxes at: the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip, White Swan Centre in Killingworth, North Shields Customer First Centre, Wallsend Customer First Centre, Whitley Bay Customer First Centre, Oxford Centre, Battle Hill Library, John Willie Sams Centre in Dudley, or the council’s headquarters at Cobalt Business Park.
  • Please remove all batteries first – these go in the separate battery collection boxes alongside.

Envelopes

  • Place paper envelopes in the grey recycling bin
  • For window envelopes, tear out the cellophane window first as this cannot be recycled. Cellophane goes in your general waste bin and the paper part of the envelope in the grey recycling bin
  • For shared facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bins
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

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F

Fabric (textiles)

  • Fabric can be donated to charity or through an online reuse network
  • Alternatively, it can be recycled at some bring sites and the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip. Find your nearest recycling point on our map

Flowers and plants

  • Flowers and plants can be placed in your garden waste bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • Alternatively, they can be composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online

Fluorescent tubes

  • Fluorescent tubes can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Food

  • Food is not currently recycled
  • Please dispose of it in your rubbish bin
  • Or store leftovers to use another time. Get food storage advice and simple recipes from Love Food Hate Waste 
  • See also 'Fruit and veg peelings'

Food tins

  • Before recycling, wash and squash your tins
  • Place tins in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Food trays, e.g. microwaveable food and supermarket vegetable packaging

  • Remove all food residue
  • Wash and dry plastic trays and place in your grey bin - no black plastic
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin

Fruit punnets

  • Wash and dry plastic plunnets and place in your grey bin - no black plastic
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin

Fruit and veg peelings

  • Fruit and vegetable peelings are not currently recycled
  • However, they can be composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online

Furniture - arm chairs, beds, sideboards etc

  • Intact furniture can be donated to charity or through an online reuse network
  • Broken furniture can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • Also see our web page for collection of special or bulky items. There is a charge for this service. Charges vary depending on the size, type or quantity of bulky waste. For further information or to arrange a collection please contact Envirolink on 0345 2000 103.

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G

Garden Waste

  • You can recycle via your garden waste bin
  • It can be composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online
  • It can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Glass bottles and jars

  • Remove tops and lids
  • Before recycling, rinse out thoroughly
  • Place glass bottles and jars in your caddy and tops and lids in the main body of your bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place glass in the glass recycling bin and tops and lids in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • There are glass recycling skips at Low Lights car park on North Shields Fish Quay, Weetslade country park car park and the Brier Dene car park in Whitely Bay

Glass panes or window glass

  • Do not place glass panes or window glass in your grey recycling bin
  • You can dispose of them in the flat glass container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Grass cuttings

  • You can recycle via your garden waste bin or by composting in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Greetings cards

  • Place cards in your grey recycling bin (remove any stick-on decorations first)
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • Cards can be torn up to and add them to your home compost – please do not place cards in your garden waste bin
  • Cards with glitter cannot be recycled, re-use them as gift tags or put them in your general waste bin

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H

Hard plastics, e.g. toys

  • Hard plastics can not be recycled
  • Hard plastic toys can be donated to friends, charity shops or through an online reuse network

Hedge trimmings

  • You can recycle via your garden waste bin or they can be composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online
  • Alternatively, they can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Hoover dust (bagged)

  • Please bag all hoover dust before placing it in your rubbish bin
  • Hoover dust cannot be recycled

Household cable

  • Can be recycled in the small electricals collection boxes at: the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip, White Swan Centre in Killingworth, North Shields Customer First Centre, Wallsend Customer First Centre, Whitley Bay Customer First Centre, Oxford Centre, Battle Hill Library, John Willie Sams Centre in Dudley, or the council’s headquarters at Cobalt Business Park.

Household cleaners (plastic bottles), e.g. bleach, washing up liquid

  • Please make sure that the bottles are empty
  • Place plastic bottles, caps and lids in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

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I

Inhalers

  • Some pharmacies collect old inhalers for recycling – please check with your local pharmacy
  • You can remove the hard plastic casing and place in your rubbish bin

Ink cartridges

  • Manufacturers may have a returns scheme for recycling, check with your supplier.
  • Or dispose of them in your general waste bin

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J

Jar lids

  • Place jar lids in the main body of your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities place jar lids in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycle Centre/tip

Junk mail

  • Place junk mail in the grey recycling bin
  • For shared facilities, place it in the mixed recycling bins
  • It can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

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K

Keys

  • Recycle in the metals container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

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L

Leaves

  • These can be recycled in your garden waste bin or composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online
  • Alternatively, they can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Lightbulbs

  • Light bulbs can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

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M

Magazines and catalogues

  • Place magazines and catalogues in the grey recycling bin
  • For shared facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bins
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Margarine tubs

  • Remove all food residue
  • Wash and dry tubs and lids and place in your grey bin
  • For shared facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bins

Mattresses

  • Mattresses can be donated to charity or through an online reuse network
  • Mattresses can be disposed of at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip
  • See also our web page for special and bulky collections. There is a charge for this service. Charges vary depending on the size, type or quantity of bulky waste. For further information or to arrange a collection please contact Envirolink on 0345 2000 103.

Meat trays

  • Aluminium meat trays
    • Before recycling, rinse off any food residue
    • Aluminium meat trays can be placed in the main part of your grey bin
    • For shared recycling facilities, use the mixed recycling bins
  • Black plastic food trays
    • Black plastic food trays cannot be recycled
    • Therefore, dispose of these in your rubbish bin

Medicines

  • Unused medicines can be returned to a chemist (pharmacist) to be safely disposed of
  • Empty glass medicine bottles can be placed in the caddy
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the glass recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Metal cans

  • Before recycling, wash and squash
  • Place metal cans in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Metal cutlery/trays

  • Place metal cutlery / trays in your grey recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Metal pots and pans

  • Metal pots and pans can be placed in your grey recycling bin
  • Can be disposed of in the metals container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Metal tubes, e.g. tomato puree

  • Not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin 

Milk containers - plastic

  • Remove any lids
  • Before recycling, rinse out and squash
  • Place plastic milk containers and lids in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Mirrors

  • Mirrors can be donated to charity shops or through an online reuse network
  • Alternatively, dispose of them in the flat glass container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip 

Mobile phones

  • Mobile phones can be donated to a charity or through an online reuse network
  • Small electrical appliances such as toasters, kettles, radios, hairdryers, e-cigs and vapes, phones and chargers can be recycled in the collection boxes at: the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip, White Swan Centre in Killingworth, North Shields Customer First Centre, Wallsend Customer First Centre, Whitley Bay Customer First Centre, Oxford Centre, Battle Hill Library, John Willie Sams Centre in Dudley, or the council’s headquarters at Cobalt Business Park. Remove any batteries first and dispose of these in the separate battery collection box alongside.

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N

Nails and hinges

  • They can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Nappies

  • Nappies are not currently recycled
  • Please dispose of them in your rubbish bin
  • Alternatively, why not try Real Nappies? To find out how North Tyneside residents can get £30 cashback for choosing reusable nappies, visit the fill your pants website or email recycle@northtyneside.gov.uk
  • You can also visit UK Nappy Network for details of nappy library and loan schemes 

Newspapers

  • Place newspapers in the grey recycling bin
  • For shared facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bins
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

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P

Paint

  • Part-empty paint tins can be donated and reused by local charities 
  • Empty metal paint tins can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip in the scrap metal container
  • Do not dispose of paint in your rubbish bin, and it must not be poured down the drain where it can cause damage and blockages
  • There is useful advice available from suppliers on how to safely dispose of excess paint, for example this guide

Paper - Newspapers

  • Place paper in grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip 

Pet waste

  • See 'Animal and pet waste'

Photocopier cartridges

  • Photocopier cartridges can be donated to charities who will use them to raise additional money  

Photographs

  • Photographs are not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin 

Pizza boxes

  • Pizza boxes can only be recycled if they are clean, with no grease or food residue.
  • If only the lid is clean, tear that bit off for your grey recycling bin and put the dirty part in your general waste bin.

Plants

  • Can be recycled via your garden waste bin or composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online
  • Alternatively, they can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Plastic bags

  • Plastic bags are not currently recycled
  • However, you can reuse them (check local supermarkets for schemes)

Plastic bottles

  • Before recycling, wash and squash
  • Put lids and caps back on so they don't get lost in the recycling process
  • Place in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Plastic films - films from food trays

  • Not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin 

Plastic-lined card, e.g. sandwich wrappers

  • Not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin 

Plastic nets from fruit packaging

  • Not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin 

Plastic plant pots

  • Plastic plant pots are not currently recycled
  • However, you can reuse them for replanting or growing seeds
  • Alternatively, dispose of them in your rubbish bin

Plastic trays, e.g. microwaveable food trays, supermarket vegetable packaging

  • Remove all food residue
  • Wash and dry trays before placing them in your grey bin - no black plastic trays
  • For shared facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bins 

Polystyrene packaging

  • Not currently recycled
  • ​Therefore, please dispose of it in your rubbish bin 

Polythene packaging, e.g. cups, takeaway boxes

  • Not currently recycled
  • ​Therefore, please dispose of it in your rubbish bin

Pond algae and plants

  • You can recycle them via your garden waste bin or place them in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online
  • Alternatively, they can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Pots and pans

  • See metal pots and pans

Pop bottles (plastic)

  • Remove any lids
  • Before recycling, rinse and squash
  • Place pop bottles and lids in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Pots and pans

  • See metal pots and pans

Printer cartridges

  • Printer cartridges can be donated to charities who will use them to raise additional money

Pyrex dishes

  • Pyrex dishes are not currently recycled, however some charities may accept them 
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin

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Q

Quilts

  • See 'Duvets'

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R

Records and tapes

  • Unwanted records and tapes can be donated to charity shops
  • Records and tapes are not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin

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S

Sauce bottles (plastic)

  • Remove any lids
  • Before recycling, rinse and squash
  • Place sauce bottles and lids in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Sawdust

  • Sawdust is not currently recycled
  • However, it can be composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online

Shoes

  • Shoes can be recycled at some charity banks or through online reuse networks. Find your nearest recycling point on our map
  • Alternatively, they can be donated to charity shops

Shredded paper

  • Allow one bag of shredded paper in the main part of your grey recycling bin (must be in a bag, no black bags please)
  • Otherwise, please dispose of in your rubbish bin
  • You can also dispose of it in the general waste container at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Shrubs

  • Shrubs can be recycled via your garden waste bin or composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online
  • Alternatively, they can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Spectacles

  • Many opticians collect unwanted glasses and donate them to charities – contact your local optician for further information

Straw and hay

  • Straw and hay is not currently recycled
  • Therefore, do not put it in your garden waste bin
  • However, it can be composted in your home compost bin. Residents can order a discounted compost bin online

Sweet tubs

  • Place plastic sweet tubs in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

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T

Takeaway cups

  • These cannot be recycled
  • Cups marked 'compostable' cannot be composted via our brown bin scheme
  • Please dispose of them in your general waste bin
  • Consider taking a reusable cup with you for takeaway drinks

Tea bags and tea leaves

  • Tea bags and leaves are not currently recycled
  • Tea leaves can be composted
  • Tea bags are more complex due to their composition. The tea from inside the teabag can be composted, however the bag itself may not be depending on what it is made from (some contain plastic). Please check the manufacturer’s information on the box
  • Residents can order a discounted compost bin online

Telephone directories

  • Place your telephone directories in the grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Tetrapak - cartons, e.g. chopped tomatoes, sauces, long life milk cartons

  • Before recycling, wash and squash 
  • Place cartons in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Textiles

  • Textiles can be donated to charity shops or through an online reuse network
  • Alternatively, they can be recycled at some bring sites and the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip. Find your nearest recycling point on our map

Tins

  • Before recycling, wash and squash your tins
  • Place tins in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Tin foil

  • Clean tin foil can be placed in your recycling bin. It is best to collect up all of the foil together in a ball so that it doesn’t get lost in the recycling process.

Toner cartridges

  • Manufacturers may have a returns scheme for recycling, check with your supplier
  • Or dispose of them in your general waste bin

Toothpaste tubes

  • Not currently recycled
  • Therefore, please dispose of them in your rubbish bin 

Toys

  • Toys can be donated to charity shops or through an online reuse network

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V

Vegetable oil

  • See 'Cooking oil'

Vegetable peel

  • See 'Fruit and vegetables'

Video cassette tapes

  • Some charities may accept these
  • Dispose of them in your household waste bin

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W

Wallpaper

  • Wallpaper is not currently recycled because of the vinyl coatings or textured effects often applied to make it water resistant and durable
  • Please dispose of it in your rubbish bin

Wire coat hangers

  • Place in your grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Wooden fruit punnets

  • Wooden fruit punnets cannot be recycled
  • Please dispose of them in your rubbish bin

Wool

  • Wool can be donated to local charity shops
  • Wool is not currently recycled

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Y

Yellow Pages

  • Place your Yellow Pages in the grey recycling bin
  • For shared recycling facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bin
  • They can also be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre/tip

Yoghurt pots

  • Remove all food residue
  • Wash and dry pots before placing them in your grey recycling bin
  • The peel off lid cannot be recycled so please dispose of it in your rubbish bin.
  • For shared facilities, place them in the mixed recycling bins

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Z

Zips

  • These cannot be recycled, dispose of in your general waste bin

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