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Your Guide to Recycling and Waste Services

Your Recycling and Waste Collection


Green Bin Collections

Green bins are collected once a month from December to the end of February. From March to November, collections are fortnightly. For precise dates, please refer to council magazines or the Greater Cambridge Waste website.

You can find your specific bin day and collection schedule, including any adjustments for Easter or Christmas, on the bin collections page of the Greater Cambridge Waste website. Please note that other bank holiday Mondays do not affect bin collections.

Food Waste

You can collect food waste using a kitchen caddy or any lidded container. Remember to line it with either a paper liner or newspaper – please do not use bio-bags or plastic bags. Once lined, empty the contents into your green bin.

Missed Bins

If your bin hasn't been emptied, please report it on the Greater Cambridge Waste website. You can do this after 3:30 pm on collection day and by 3:30 pm on the next weekday following your bin day. For example, if your bin day is Friday, you can report it up to 3:30 pm on Monday (including bank holidays).

Assisted Collections

If you're unable to move your bins to the kerbside for collection and there's no one else who can assist you, please contact us about assisted collections.


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On Your Bin Day

Please place your containers out at the kerbside or your agreed collection point by 6 am on your collection day, and no earlier than 6 pm the day before. Bins should be returned to your property as soon as possible after collection, and within 24 hours, unless you have reported a missed collection.

Please ensure bin lids are fully closed. Excess rubbish left next to your black bin will not be collected.

Additional Bins & Excess Recycling

You can have an extra blue bin for recycling free of charge. Please order this via the Greater Cambridge Waste portal.

If you need an extra green bin, you can subscribe to our garden waste collection service for a fixed annual cost.

If you only occasionally fill up your blue bin and need extra recycling collected, you can put it out next to your blue bin as follows:

  • Cardboard: Break down cardboard to a size which would fit in the bin (with the lid closed) if there was space. Tie or tape it together in one bundle. We cannot collect wet cardboard, so please do not leave it out in the rain.
  • Other Recycling (except glass): Put other recycling in a transparent sack. A maximum of one clear sack will be collected. Black or other coloured sacks will not be collected.

Collection of Bulky Items

We can collect bulky items for a charge. Visit the Greater Cambridge Waste site for details.


Important Information: Environmental Protection Act 1990

Please note that failure to comply with the council's requirements for setting out waste and recycling for collection could result in a​ fixed penalty.

The household duty of care placed on you can be found set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 34 (2A) and Section 5 of the Waste Duty of Care: Code of Practice.


Bin Guide 

Visual guide showing you what rubbish you should put in what bin 





 

Before You Recycle...

The best way to manage waste is to create less of it in the first place! Here are some great ways to reduce, reuse, and repair before you even think about the recycling bin:

Reduce

Did you know we throw away the equivalent of 8 meals every week? Cut down on food waste with these handy resources:

  • The Kitche app helps you track and reduce the amount of food you toss.
  • The Olio app connects you with others to pass on or pick up surplus food locally.
  • Find more tips to save money and food at lovefoodhatewaste.com.

Re-use

Choosing reusable items makes a big difference!

  • More and more people are opting for reusable nappies, wipes, and period products. You can even get a discount on these through our scheme – check the Greater Cambridge Waste site for details.
  • Always remember to take a reusable bottle or cup and a shopping bag with you when you're out.

Repair

Don't toss it, fix it!

Re-home

Give your unwanted items a new life, or find treasures yourself!

  • Donate to charities like Cambridge Re-Use, British Heart Foundation, or Emmaus.
  • Use online platforms such as Freegle, Gumtree, or Facebook Marketplace, or apps like Olio or Vinted.
  • Support these initiatives by buying from them too!

Refill

Reduce packaging by choosing refillable options:

  • Opt for loose fruit and veg and bars of soap.
  • Refill containers with cleaning products or dry foods at local Refill Shops – you can find a list of local ones on the Greater Cambridge Waste portal.

Rot

Home composting is an excellent way to turn food and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost for your plants. You can find bargain compost bins at getcomposting.com.

Repeat!

Discover even more ways to reduce your waste before recycling on the Greater Cambridge Waste site, including ideas for community groups.


 

Places to Recycle More

Sometimes, items can't go in your household bins but can still be recycled! Here's where to find additional recycling options:

Recycling Points

Around the Greater Cambridge area, you'll find recycling banks for:

  • Shoes, clothing, and textiles (must be clean and dry, but can be worn out)
  • Batteries
  • Light bulbs
  • Small electrical appliances

See the Greater Cambridge Waste site or www.recyclenow.com for specific details and locations.

Household Recycling Centres

The large Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow are managed by Cambridgeshire County Council. At these centres, you can recycle a wide range of items, including:

  • Large appliances
  • Wood
  • Scrap metal
  • Car batteries

You can also dispose of bulky items here. For more information and opening times, visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Specialist Recycling Schemes

Many items that cannot be recycled through your blue bin, such as crisp packets or toothpaste tubes, can now be taken to special collection points at shops or community hubs.

Our Recycling Directories, found on the 'What goes in your bins?' pages of the Greater Cambridge Waste portal, link to more information about these schemes.


 

A Quick Rinse, Then Recycle!

Is your recycling clean enough? Most people give their containers a quick rinse before recycling, and it's truly important! Food and liquids left inside can lead to a very sticky situation. Here's why:

  • Clean and Dry is Key: Paper and card must be clean and dry to be recycled. Rinsing food and drink from containers prevents leaks onto paper or card in your bin or our lorries, giving every recyclable item the best chance to be processed.
  • A Safer, Cleaner Workplace: After recycling is collected, it's sorted at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). It's not just machines at work there; people are involved too! Keeping your recycling clean means a safer workplace without unpleasant odours for the staff.
  • Higher Value, Better Income: Clean recycling has a higher market value. When it's sold, it generates more income, which helps to cover collection costs.

So, for all of you doing your part at the kitchen sink, we'd like to say a big thank you for rinsing your recycling!

Quick Tip

Save water by rinsing recycling in used washing-up water.