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Anything in our red-lidded bins goes to landfill.

Landfill takes up precious land and contributes to climate change, so consider items in your landfill as a last resort.

Before you bin it red, think about these options: 

Reduce what you put in the red bin

  • Avoid single-use packaging and plastics
  • Borrow items instead of buying new e.g. Library of Things
  • Plan ahead and use it up to avoid food waste
  • Compost food scraps 
  • Only buy new when essential

Reuse what you can

  • Bring your own reusable containers, cups and cutlery
  • Learn to repair items to keep them in use
  • Rehome pre-loved clothes, furniture, electricals, tools and toys in good condition

Recycle

  • Check if it can go in your yellow or blue bins

Only then, put it in your last resort landfill red bin

  • Single use coffee cups and lids
  • Paper and cardboard coated with food scraps
  • Wax-coated paper, greaseproof paper and baking paper
  • Soiled disposable nappies
  • Used tissues and paper towels
  • Broken glass, mirrors or ceramics (wrap in paper for safety reasons)
  • Drinking glasses (wrap in paper for safety reasons)
  • Polystyrene trays 
  • Food scraps (if you don’t have home composting, worm farm, or chickens to feed)
  • Thermal printed paper (eg shopping receipts)
  • Black meat trays
  • End of life textiles, small household items, toys

Tips

  • Bag lightweight waste like bean bag beans, sawdust, dust or ash or seal it in a container so it can’t blow around
  • Rehome pre-loved and good condition clothing, Manchester, furniture and household items. Find out more

Dispose elsewhere

If in doubt – check out our A to Z guide to reuse, recycling and disposal

Useful links