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I want to dispose or recycle or reduce...

There are several ways to dispose of unwanted but usable goods.  For single items, check out www.freecycle.org to see if your local branch has someone who wants it or donate to a local charity shop.

See the list below for suggestions for specific items.

Aerosols

Normal domestic aerosols can be disposed of at household waste centres (HWRC) but are not recycled. Some districts will accept empty aluminium aerosol cans in their collection and will recycle them. Check your local district's collection policy. 

Air conditioning units (WEEE)

You can dispose of small air conditioning units (designed for home not business use) at any HWRC. This material is not accepted from trade.

Asbestos

See Asbestos and garden chemicals on the Household hazardous waste page 

Batteries

You can dispose of old car batteries or any domestic batteries (eg watch, phone, torch) at any HWRC. This material is not accepted from trade.

Books

Offer books in a good used condition to your local library or charity shop. Libraries are interested in newer, current books in excellent condition which they may add to lending or reserve stock. Donated books may also be sold at a library book sale. If the books cannot be reused or are in poor condition, take them to your local HWRC removing any hard covers first. Only pages can be recycled.

Blue glass bottles

You can place these in the green glass bottle banks.

Business waste - recycled

Check with your existing waste contractor to see if additional materials can be recycled through them.

We operate five trade sites (Amersham, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield and High Wycombe) and some of the waste is recycled (see Household Waste and Recycling Centre webpage).  There is a charge for trade waste.

Businesses can contact:

  • Envirowise on 0800 585 794 who offer UK business free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact. 
  • Marylene Mansfield-Williams at the Corporate Environment Advisory Centre (CEAC)  on 01494 605054 or email ceac@bcuc.ac.uk or via their website.  CEAC provide practical support through training, site visits and a helpline to encourage business to be more environmentally friendly. 

Neither organisation is a waste disposal or recycling company. See below for websites listing other recycling and waste companies.

Cardboard

Some districts have kerbside cardboard collections. Check with your district council if this service is available in your area.

To find your nearest cardboard recycling facility use the find your nearest recycling facility, select paper and cardboard and type in your postcode.

At the HWRC, we have a cardboard bin which collects all types of clean cardboard. 

Chipboard

See Man made wood.

Christmas cards

You can recycle Christmas cards by taking them to shops such as WH Smith, M&S, TK Maxx and Tesco - please do not dispose of them in any paper recycling box/bin/basket.

Christmas trees

These can be recycled at your local HWRC.  If it is a tall tree, cut it down so that it will fit into a bin.

If you have a green waste collection it can be chopped up and placed in the bin (remember the lid needs to be shut for collection). 

Some garden centres also shred Christmas trees - see your local press for details.

Christmas wrapping paper

This material cannot be recycled or composted. Some wrapping paper contains metal content plus there is the issue of sticky tape, glitter and foil back paper.

Commercial waste - recycled

See Business waste above

Computer and computer monitors (WEEE)

We accept a small number of personal computers at a HWRC (are not from trade) as they can be salvaged for resale. Ensure you have wiped your computer's hard drive (which contains your personal details) before depositing. Site staff do not check computers before selling on.  It is your responsibility to ensure that your personal details have been removed. 

There are a number of ways that you can clean and wipe your hard drive, but you should be aware that some methods do not guarantee safety of the data:

  • Re-format the drive. There should be a disc supplied with the machine when purchased - just follow the instructions for new installation.
  • If your computer uses Windows XP - run the system recovery set-up file (should be on the boot loader).
  • Take the hard drive to a reputable computer repair shop and ask them to undertake cleaning/wiping - there may be a charge for this service.
  • If you are confident, remove the hard drive before depositing the computer to the HWRC.

If you take your computer to a repair shop, check they will guarantee their work against possible data theft.

There are other ways to dispose including charities. Some charities will accept old computers and other working IT equipment. Please call the charity to check if they will accept your donation. A few examples are listed below:

These charities will accept donations from business and householders. 

If you are a business and have already tried to donate your old computer without success but still want to recycle it, Waste Online provides more information. We do not endorse, warrant, or guarantee the products, services or information described or offered in this listing,  please inform Waste Online if you believe the information given on that webpage is misleading.

Computer consumables

For printer cartridges see toner cartridges.

Computer CDs, DVD and floppy diskettes cannot be recycled. Working CDs or DVDs,  music or film, may be accepted by charity shops. Some charity shops also accept empty CDs or DVD cases.

Cooking oil

We accept cooking oil from householders (not from trade) at any HWRC.

Dead wild animals

If you find a dead animal on your land, it is your responsibility to dispose of it. The exception, is if it is a dead swan, goose or duck in which case you need to report it to Defra on 08459 335577.

If you find a dead animal at the side of, or on, the road or on the road report it to your local district council. 

If the dead animal is your pet, to your local vet or your local Environmental Health Officer for advice. 

Electrical Goods

See 'Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment' section below.

Engine oil and engine filters

You can dispose of up to 10 litres of used engine oil at any HWRC. This material is not accepted from trade.

The Oil bank line provides advice on disposal of motor oil. 

Fire extinguishers

You can dispose of these if they are not the type that only trade would use. We accept small fire extinguishers eg  used while travelling abroad in your car. If you are unsure if the fire extinguisher is acceptable then please contact 01296 382307.

Fluorescent tubes (WEEE)

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

Fridge/freezer

District councils provide a bulky waste collection service for a fee. Contact your local council for more details.

You can take your fridge/freezer to any HWRC for free. For trade there is a charge of £25 per item plus VAT. We do not accept commercial fridge/freezers.

Furniture (eg old sofas)

Furniture Reuse Network (FRN) promotes the re-use of unwanted furniture and household effects. They have several sites in Buckinghamshire:

There are also sites just outside our border eg Slough (Slough Furniture Project -  01753 692535) and Milton Keynes (01908 263838). 

Your local district council will collect certain items but there is a charge for this service.

Or you can take it to your local HWRC.

Garden chemicals

See Asbestos and garden chemicals on the Household hazardous waste page 

Garden waste

Some districts have kerbside green waste collections. Contact your local council to see if you are in an area with this service and what is allowed.

At your local HWRC, there is a garden waste bin which collects all types of garden waste - up to six inches in diameter. We do not accept kitchen waste in these bins or Japanese Knotweed.

Gas bottles

Old gas cylinders can be returned to the retailer or supplier. For gas cylinders other than Calor Gas, ring the LP Gas Association on 08457 626379 for advice. For Calor Gas Bottles, call 0800 662 663 for your nearest Calor Gas Direct Outlet.

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

You can dispose of up to 3 gas bottles from Householders at any HWRC. This material is not accepted from trade.

Glass bottles or jars

Please note: it is important that glass is colour sorted and placed in the correct bank.

We only accept glass bottles and jars at any HWRC. 

Some districts have kerbside glass collections.

There are also many recycling centres for glass across our county.  To find your nearest, please use the Find your nearest recycling facility.

Glass - other

Other glass, eg window glass or heat treated glass (Pyrex or visionware) are not accepted for recycling as they are made from different material to bottle glass.  We have investigated separate flat glass (flat such as plate, mirrors, windscreens etc). The nearest recycling facility is in Northampton but they will not accept glass from us due to contamination issues.

Hardcore

We accept small amount of hardcore at our HWRC - there is a bin marked Hardcore. This material is re-used.

Hearing aids (WEEE):

Help the Aged accept working, unwanted, non-digital hearing aids, which they clean and test before distributing throughout India.  Post your hearing aid to: Hearing Aid Appeal, Help the Aged, FREEPOST LON13616, London, EC1B 1PS.

Junk mail - reduce using the Mailing Preference Service (MPS)

The MPS is a free non profit service which allows subscribers to register their wish not to receive unsolicited direct mail. To find out more about the MPS or to use the service call 0845 703 4599, you can also register online.

There is also a Fax Preference Service.

To stop any unaddressed mailings delivered through Royal Mail - ring their helpline on 08457 950 950 or write to Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs, Royal Mail, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX.

You can also request a no junk mail sticker to put on your door by calling 01296 38 2307 or via email waste_strategy@buckscc.gov.uk.

If you do receive junk mail you can recycle it afterwards. You can put junk mail (except for card, dyed paper or plastic coated paper or windowed envelopes) in your paper basket/bin (if you have one).  We also accept junk mail in the mixed paper bin at your local HWRC.

Man made wood

We accept this material (chipboard, MDF etc) at any HWRC.

Medicines

If you have left over medicines, contact your local chemist or pharmacy on how best to dispose of them.

Metal

Some districts have kerbside collections for some metals e.g. tins and cans. Please talk to your local district council to see if you are in an area with this service.

There are also many recycling centres across our county - if you want to find your nearest recycling centre then you can use the 'Find your nearest recycling facility' and select metals and type in your postcode.

There are also scrap metal banks at your local HWRC.

Aylesbury Recycling and Reuse Centre (ARRC) will collect aluminium foil - they provide some of the foil banks that are listed on 'Find your nearest recycling facility', If you run a business and you think you can accommodate one of their foil banks then you can call them on 01296 425820. 

Mobile phones (WEEE)

There are many charities who raise money from old mobile phones. Here are a few examples:

  • Help the Aged, Oxfam and British Red Cross - you can donate mobile phones directly into their shops.
  • www.greensource.co.uk (formerly known as action aid recycling)
  • www.sense.org.uk - Charity for Deafblind or have associated disabilities
  • www.recyclingappeal.com - over 20 charities listed
  • Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood (CLIC) provide freepost bags for single phones and if you have 20 phones or more then call their recycling partner, Greener Solutions on 0208 274 4040 and ask for Tanya.

Remember to take out your old SIM card.

Paint

Community Re>Paint project is a network of paint re-use schemes who may be able to use your leftover usable paint.

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

Paint now comes in two types - non hazardous with a EWC black entry and hazardous which has a EWC blue entry.  EWC blue entry paints usually have lead or a low flashpoint and these hazardous types of paint can only be accepted in small quantities from householders at either Amersham, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, High Heavens or Langley.

Non hazardous paint can be put into any normal rubbish container. Please bury the waste as that reduces the risk of splatter on compaction.

If you are not sure if your paint is hazardous (maybe it is very old and does not have the new markings)  ask our staff at HWRC to check.

If your paint is hazardous you can take a small quantity to either Amersham, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, High Heavens or Langley. We cannot recycle paint.

We do not accept any paint from trade.

Paper

Drink cartons eg Tetrapak, laminated paper, newspaper used for pet bedding and wrapping paper cannot be recycled in any scheme - either at HWRC or by your local district council.

Some districts have kerbside paper collections. Please talk to your local district council to see if you are in an area with this service and paper they will collect.

There are also many recycling centres across our county - if you want to find your paper bank then you can use the Find your nearest recycling facility, select paper and cardboard and type in your postcode.

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

Plastic bags

There are plastic bag recycling banks at most of the larger supermarkets, either near the door or with the other recycling banks. Reduce use by bringing your own bags or buy a better quality bag that you can re-use.

Plastic bottles

We do not have any facilities for recycling plastic bottles at the HWRC. It is not economically or environmentally viable unless the material can be processed before transporting it long distances. Aylesbury Vale District Council include plastic bottles in their kerbside collections, Wycombe District Council have started rolling out a kerbside collection for plastic bottles and Chiltern and South Bucks District Council have plastic recycling banks scattered across their area.

Plastics - other

There are only facilities to recycle certain types of plastics within Buckinghamshire - the most common are plastic bottles and bags (see above).  Other types may be used to manufacture yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, ice cream tubs and food trays. 

Aylesbury Vale District Council accept all plastics except expanded polystyrene (eg foam cups, foam trays for food or meat), plastic film, cling film, shopping bags (shopping bags can be recycled at most supermarkets), Tetrapaks and other polycoat cartons (they are plastic coated or contain card and foil), crisp packets or chocolate wrappers (these contain small amount of metals). 

Plasterboard

We are no longer allowed to landfill plasterboard (gypsum) so separate facilities are provided at Amersham, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, High Heavens or Langley HWRC.  Traders can use these recycling facilities at trade sites (charges apply).

Printer cartridges

See toner cartridges below.

Skips on the road

If you want to place a skip on the road then you may need a permit.

Spectacles

Charities such as Vision Aid can benefit from your old spectacles. Please contact them direct for more details.

Stamps

Some charities collect used stamps. You need to trim the stamp (leave approximately 1cm of envelope with each stamp) and then either post them or take them to the charity shops.

Oxfam will accept stamps (trimmed to 3mm) at their shops.

If you want to donate via post, sort into first class, second class and other (eg foreign and commemorative) and send to the charity concerned. We know of two charities who want your old stamps by this method:

  • Stamp Appeal, Help The Aged, 26A Bunkers Hill, Romiley, Stockport, SK6 3DS
  • RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) Stamp Recycling, PO BOX 185, Benfleet, SS7 9BH

Soil

We accept small amounts of soil for re-use at our HWRCs.

Televisions (WEEE)

We accept a small number of televisions at any HWRC. This material is not accepted from trade.

Textiles

Good quality textiles can be taken to your local charity shop. Alternatively you can find your nearest textile recycling bin at Find your nearest recycling facility, select textiles and type in your postcode.

There are textiles banks at your local HWRC.

Toner cartridges

There are many charities who can raise money from your old toner cartridge. Below is just a selection of those available - search the web yourself to find a charity of your choice. Here are a few examples:

Tools

Aylesbury Recycling and Reuse Centre (ARRC) will collect hand tools (not electrical tools). You can call them on 01296 425820 or visit their website for more details.

Toys

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

Trade waste - recycled

See Business waste above

Tyres

You can dispose of up to 5 car tyres at any of our HWRC. We do not accept tyres from trade. We do not accept commercial type tyres.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

HWRCs are registered as Designated Collection Facilities (DCFs) to accept WEEE items.   We can now recycle all household electrical equipment.  There are some household electrical equipment which we do not accept from trade - see commercial waste for more details.  There are also limits on hazardous electrical goods (televisions, fridge, freezers, computer monitors and fluorescent tubes).  Microwaves are not hazardous.

Water butts

We do not have a water butts scheme but these are available from your local water company.  Details can be found:

Water filter

We only know of one scheme that recycles used water filters which is for Brita water filters only.  Recycling bins are in a range of high street stores such as Robert Dyas, Argos, Cargo, Comet, Sainsbury's, Homebase, Asda and Makro.  These Brita recycling bins will accept any Brita consumer product filter cartridges, including those for the new Brita water filter taps.

Wood

There is a wood bin at any of our HWRC. Wood does not include MDF, chipboard or any other man made wood.  There is a separate bin for this man made material (all sites except for High Heavens).

Wrapping paper

We cannot recycle wrapping paper as it usually contains some form of lamination.

For more information call 01296 382307 or email waste_strategy@buckscc.gov.uk

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