Recycling Boxes
Recycling boxes ready for collection
We provide a fortnightly collection of recycling boxes in the Lancaster district.
Each property is entitled to 3 recycling boxes for the collection of paper, cardboard, glass, cans and plastic bottles.
If you do not have recycling boxes please contact customer services on 01524 582491 or email recycling@lancaster.gov.uk
Top Tasks
Why we ask you to sort your recyclable waste
In 2010 due to a new mixed recycling facility (MRF) opening we made changes to how we collect your recyclable materials, making recycling easier for you.
What can I recycle?
The colour of your recycling boxes is not important just ensure the items are separated as shown below.
Recycling Box 1: Plastic bottles, food tins and drinks cans, clean foil, glass bottles and jars, aerosols, sweet/biscuit tins.
Recycling Box 2: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, cardboard, catalogues, telephone directories and shredded paper.
Textiles for recycling can be put out in a clearly labelled carrier bags (not black bags) alongside your recycling boxes. No duvets, pillows, cushions or shoes please.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to sort the materials inside the boxes?
No. Paper and cardboard can be mixed all together in the one box. The plastic bottles, cans and glass can all be mixed together in another box.
Does it matter which colour box I use?
No, it doesn't matter which colour box you use for which items, as long as the items are sorted correctly. So you can put your paper and cardboard in either the green or the black box, as long as you put the plastics, glass and cans in your other box.
How many recycling boxes are we allowed?
A maximum of 3, in any colour combination. The colour of the box is not important. What is important is that the boxes are sorted correctly.
I can't fit all my paper and cardboard in one box, can I have another box?
You can have a maximum of 3 boxes. If you have an empty green box you can use that for extra paper and cardboard, as long as you don’t place any other materials in the same box. Alternatively you can place extra paper and cardboard in an untied carrier bag next to your boxes.
All my boxes are full, what do I do?
Any extra paper and cardboard can be placed in an untied carrier bag alongside your recycling boxes. Any extra foil, cans and plastics (but not glass) can be placed in a separate carrier bag. Glass must always be placed in the recycling boxes.
Will the boxes be collected at different times?
No, the same crew will collect both recycling boxes.
Can I recycle tetra paks (juice cartons)?
Not in your recycling boxes. Tetra Paks (juice cartons) can be taken to the recycling sites at ASDA (Lancaster), Greaves Park (Lancaster), Tesco (Morecambe), Bull Beck (Caton) and Keer Bridge (Carnforth).
What glass can I recycle?
All glass bottles, including food and sauce jars, medicine bottles, perfume and aftershave, moisturiser containers and glass make-up containers. Also don’t forget about other bottles in your kitchen such as spice jars, oil bottles and baby food jars which can also be recycled.
What plastic can I recycle?
Plastic bottles only. This includes squash/fizzy drinks/mineral water bottles, milk bottles, shampoo/shower gel/conditioner bottles, bleach/cleaning fluid bottles, fabric conditioner bottles and probiotic yoghurt drink bottles.
Can I recycle this plastic item?
If you can answer YES to both of the questions below then it can go into your recycling boxes.
- Is it plastic?
- Is it a bottle?
Can we recycle the plastic lids from milk bottles?
Yes we can recycle plastic bottle tops.
Can I put broken glass in the recycling box?
Yes, broken glass can be placed in the recycling box as the crew do not need to separate the items by hand. Only broken glass bottles and jars please - drinking glasses, pyrex, mirrors and windows are not recyclable in your recycling boxes.
Can I put foil in my recycling box?
Yes, clean foil should be placed in the same box as tin cans, glass and plastics. If you are unsure as to whether it is foil or not do the scruch test. If the items stays scruched it is foil, if it springs back it is not foil.
Does the cardboard have to be broken down to fit inside the recycling box?
Preferably yes, although larger pieces of cardboard will be collected, as long as it is flattened and put alongside the recycling boxes.
I have fewer than 3 boxes, how can I order more?
You can have a maximum of 3 boxes. If you have fewer than 3 and think you need to order another one, phone customer services on 01524 582491. Please note it can take up to 6 weeks for delivery of extra boxes.
What else can I put in my recycling boxes?
Paper and Cardboard Box
- Gift wrap
- Birthday and Christmas cards
- Toilet roll and kitchen roll tubes
- Shredded paper
- Catalogues and holiday brochures
- Telephone directories including yellow pages
Glass, Cans and Plastic Bottles Box
- Aerosols
- Cleaning product bottles
- Clean foil
- Perfume and aftershave bottles
- Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel bottles
- Sweet and biscuit tins