A to Z of reusing, recycling and waste disposal

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Plastic products labelled as biodegradable or compostable cannot currently be recycled in your green recycling or brown garden waste bin. This type of plastic should be disposed of in your black general household waste bin. Biodegradable and compostable plastics must be dealt with separately to non-biodegradable plastics such as food containers, drinks and shampoo bottles, as they cannot be recycled in the same way. Although the garden waste from your brown bin is composted, compostable plastic bags do not break down quickly enough in the process, resulting in a poor quality compost.

You can put the following types of plastic in your green recycling bin - types 1 (PET/PETE), 2 (HDPE/PE-HD), 4 (LDPE/PE-LD) and 5 (PP). These numbers are be found in a triangle on plastic items. These items include plastic bags, plastic shampoo bottles, soft drink bottles, detergent bottles and plastic milk containers.

Caps, lids, pumps and triggers can all be left on bottles as they will be recycled too.

Please try to re-use polystyrene chips if possible or pass them on to someone who will. Polystyrene can’t be recycled, so dispose of small amounts in your black household waste bin. Larger pieces can be broken down or placed in the general waste skip at your local household waste recycling centre.

If your bottles are plastic or glass, you can wash them (squashing plastic ones) and put them in your green recycling bin.

Please remember that good condition baby clothes, toys and equipment can be passed on to friends, relatives, neighbours or donated to your local charity shop. Your local nursery or playgroup may also be pleased to receive them. If you are throwing out old baby clothes, toys and equipment, please donate them to a local re-use organisation or visit the Revive Leeds re-use shop at Kirkstall or Seacroft recycling centre. They will re-use them, helping those in need.

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