Free Rubbish.co.uk

Aerosols

Some district councils collect aerosol cans in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the top of the page). Normal domestic aerosols can be recycled at the Waste Recycling Centres (WRCs) by placing them in the green wheelie bin.

Aluminium foil

Some district councils collect foil in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the top of the page). This can be placed in the scrap metal containers at the Waste Recycling Centres for recycling.

Asbestos

You can dispose of asbestos at Ardley and Redbridge Waste Recycling Centres. See our asbestos page for more information.

Batteries

Some district councils collect batteries in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the top of the page). Old car batteries and any domestic battery (eg torch, remote control, watch) can be disposed of at any of our Waste Recycling Centres. This material is not accepted from trade.

Bicycles

Bicycles in a good condition can be taken to Redbridge, Drayton or Dix Waste Recycling Centres for refurbishment. Other bikes can be placed in the scrap metal containers for recycling. Alternatively, Oxford Cycle Workshop (a social enterprise) will refurbish bicycles.

Books

Local charity shops may be able to use your old books. If the books cannot be re-used then you can take them to your local Waste Recycling Centre. If the book has a hardback cover, then the cover needs to be removed and disposed of as rubbish but you can put the pages into the mixed paper bin.

Blue glass bottles

Some district councils collect glass in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the top of the page). You can also place these in the green glass bottle banks at our Waste Recycling Centres.

Cardboard

Some district councils collect cardboard in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the top of the page). All types of clean cardboard from households can be taken to any of the Waste Recycling Centres for recycling.

Cartons

Paper based drinks cartons (such as Tetra Paks) can now be recycled at all Waste Recycling Centres. These cartons are typically used for fruit juices.

Christmas cards

You can put your Christmas cards in the cardboard recycling bins at the Waste Recycling Centres. Some supermarkets also provide bins to collect greetings cards after Christmas.

Christmas trees

See garden waste.

Clothing

See textiles.

Commercial waste

See the commercial waste section of our website.

Computer and computer monitors (WEEE)

We accept a small number of personal computers at Waste Recycling Centres (computer monitors are not accepted from trade).

Check that you have wiped your computer's hard drive (which contains your personal details) before depositing the computer at the WRC. It is your responsibility to ensure that your personal details have been removed. If you take your computer to a repair shop, check that they will guarantee their work against possible data theft.

Once you have cleared personal data from your computer, then householders can take it to a Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the 'Small WEEE' container for recycling.

Computer consumables

For printer cartridges see toner cartridges.

Computer CDs, DVDs and floppy diskettes cannot be recycled. If the CD or DVD is music or film and still plays then your local charity shop may accept them as donations. Some charity shops accept empty CDs or DVD cases as they can sell these in their shops.

DIY waste

DIY waste from householders is accepted at all eight Waste Recycling Centres. The first three items are free and subsequent items are charged at £1 each up to a maximum of £10 (i.e. 13 items in total). An item counts as a normal bin bag of waste, one door, one sink, one bath etc.

Drinks cartons

See cartons section above.

Engine oil and engine filters

Householders can dispose of used engine oil at any of our household Waste Recycling Centres. This material is not accepted from trade.

Fluorescent tubes (WEEE)

We accept a small number of fluorescent tubes from householders only at any of our Waste Recycling Centres. This material is not accepted from trade.

Fridges or freezers (WEEE)

All Waste Recycling Centres accept fridges and freezers from householders disposing of their own fridge or freezer. District councils also provide a 'bulky waste' collection service for a fee. Contact your local district council for more details (see the links above).

Furniture (eg old sofas)

All our Waste Recycling Centres accept furniture, unfortunately most of it must be landfilled. Wooden furniture without vanish or paint can be placed in the wood containers and metal furniture in the scrap metal container.

At Dix, furniture with the necessary fire resistant labels and in a suitable condition to be re-used can be placed in a separate container at the site where it is re-used. These are then taken by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) for re-distribution to families on benefits and low incomes.

Garden chemicals

Small quantities of hazardous waste from householders can be taken to the Waste Recycling Centres and placed in the red chemical stores where it will be treated and disposed of appropriately.

Garden waste

All districts have kerbside green waste collections (follow the links at the top of the page to find out more). All Waste Recycling Centres also accept garden waste for composting up to six inches in diameter. This includes grass cuttings, tree prunings, Christmas trees, leaves, foliage etc.

We do not accept kitchen waste or Japanese Knotweed in these containers.

Gas bottles

Old gas cylinders can be returned to the retailer or supplier. For gas cylinders other than Calor Gas, you can ring the LP Gas Association on 08457 626379 for advice. For Calor Gas Bottles, please call 0800 662 663 and they will inform you of where your nearest Calor Gas Direct Outlet is.

Do not place gas cylinders in your dustbin because they may explode if they are crushed.

We accept a small number of gas bottles from householders at any of our Waste Recycling Centres. This material is not accepted from trade.

Glass bottles or jars

Some district councils collect glass in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the top of the page).

We can also accept glass bottles and jars at our Waste Recycling Centres. It is important that clear, green and brown glass is colour sorted and placed in the correct bank.

Glass - other

Other glass, for example, window glass or heat treated glass (eg Pyrex or visionware) are not accepted for recycling as they are made from different material to bottle glass. These melt at different temperatures to standard glass bottles, causing problems with the recycling process if mixed. We have investigated the possibility of recycling it but processors will not accept glass from Waste Recycling Centres due to contamination issues.

Glasses

See spectacles below.

Hardcore and rubble

We accept small amount of hardcore at the Waste Recycling Centres from householders in the container marked 'Rubble'.

Light bulbs

Filament light bulbs are not classed as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), but can be recycled in the small containers at each Waste Recycling Centre.

Energy saving bulbs and fluorescent tubes are classed as WEEE and can be placed in the recycling containers on site.

Metal

There are scrap metal banks at each Waste Recycling Centre. At some sites tins and cans should be placed in with the plastic for sorting and recycling off site. At other sites all metals should be placed in the scrap metal banks for recycling. Please ask the site staff if you are unsure where to place your metals

Mobile phones (WEEE)

There are many charities that raise money by collecting old mobile phones. Alternatively, they can be placed in the 'small WEEE' containers available at all Waste Recycling Centres for recycling.

Remember to take out your old SIM cards.

Paint

We do not accept any paint from trade.

If you have excess paint, try and use it up, either yourself or give it away to friends or relatives or donate it to a charity.Community RePaint is a network of paint re-use schemes who may be able to use your leftover usable paint.

If you can't use it up or find it a good home by giving it away, add sawdust, sand or soil to the tin and leave the lid off until the paint becomes solid and dry.  

If they are empty and dry, metal paint cans can go into the metal scrap container at the Waste Recycling Centre or you can put them into your normal rubbish bin. Please remember that paint can form a skin so it may be worth checking that it is completely dry by trying to put something through the skin (eg a screwdriver).

In the future, follow the guidelines on the tin of paint before buying to ensure that you buy just the amount you need for a job.

Paper

All district councils collect paper in their doorstep collections (see the links at the top of the page).

At the Waste Recycling Centres, we have a mixed paper container which collects all types of paper including shredded paper, junk mail and books. Please remove the covers from hardback books first.

Telephone directories such as the Yellow Pages or Thomson Local Directory cannot be recycled in any doorstep collection scheme, but must be taken to a Waste Recycling Centre, or a local bring bank. You can use the postcode search on the Recycle now website to find your nearest.

To save paper, you could cancel your telephone directory home delivery, and look online instead. To cancel Yellow Pages, call Freephone 0800 671 444. To cancel the Thomsons Local Directory, call 01252 390990 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please note: laminated paper, newspaper used for pet bedding and wrapping paper cannot be recycled in any scheme - either at the Waste Recycling Centres or by your local district council. 

Plastic bags

There are plastic bag recycling banks at most of the larger supermarkets, either near the door or with the other recycling banks. Although the most 'environmentally friendly' option is to not produce waste in the first place. Try bringing your own bags or buy a better quality bag that you can re-use.

Plastics bottles

Some district councils collect plastic bottles in their doorstep collections (check using the links at the top of the page).

There are over 50 types of plastic but only six are labelled. Those plastics labelled 1 or 2 can be recycled at the Waste Recycling Centres. These generally include plastic bottles and food containers (washed out).

Printer cartridges

See toner cartridge section.

Spectacles

There are many charities such as Vision Aid which benefit from your old spectacles. Old spectacles can also be taken to Oakley Wood and Stanford in the Vale Waste Recycling Centres, where they are passed on to Vision Aid.

Soil

We accept small amounts of soil for re-use at the Waste Recycling Centres.

Televisions (WEEE)

We accept a small number of televisions at each Waste Recycling Centre from householders only. This material is not accepted from trade. 

Tetra Paks

See drinks cartons section above.

Textiles

Your local charity shop will accept good quality textiles, otherwise they can be taken to any of the Waste Recycling Centres for recycling.

Toner cartridges

There are many charities that can raise money from your old toner cartridge - just search the web to find a charity of your choice.

Tools

At Redbridge Waste Recycling Centre, hand tools are collected by the charity Tools For Self Reliance. They will take building, carpentry and mechanics hand tools for re-use.

Orinoco - a charity that supplies paint, scrap materials and tools that they have sourced from businesses and rescued from the tip - will collect hand tools (not electrical tools). You can call them on 07960 661748. They also collect from Redbridge.

Toys

Your local charity shop, hospital or clinic could benefit from your unwanted good quality toys.

Trade waste - recycled

See the commercial waste section of our website.

Tyres

We accept up to five car tyres at any of our Household Waste Recycling Centres - from householders only. There is a charge of £2.50 per motorbike/car tyre, or £4 per oversized car/trailer tyre. We do not accept tyres from trade. We do not accept commercial type tyres.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

WEEE regulations came into force in England from 1 July 2007. WEEE items will be accepted across all Waste Recycling Centres in Oxfordshire. See our page on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment for more details about the regulations, and which items it covers.

Wood

There is a wood bin at each of the Waste Recycling Centres. Alkerton will take all types of wood, all other sites are only able to take untreated wood.

Wrapping paper

You can recycle traditional wrapping paper or brown paper, but make sure you remove any tape first. You could also compost tissue or crepe paper. Please note that foil, glitter or laminated wrapping paper cannot be recycled.