This collection service is for recycling paper and cardboard.
To guarantee a collection, your waste should be at the kerbside (or collection point) by 7am on your collection day.
Please break down cardboard boxes and put these into your container as we will no longer accept side-waste.
What can go in your wheelie bin or box with a yellow lid
You can recycle a range of items, such as:
- Cardboard boxes
- Greetings cards and wrapping paper (no plastic-based, glitter or foil wrapping)
- Newspapers, magazines and catalogues
- Paper (must be clean and dry)
- Toilet and kitchen roll
- Shredded paper
- Catalogues and holiday brochures
- Telephone directories including yellow pages
- Envelopes (no need to remove the windows)
What can't go in your wheelie bin or box with a yellow lid
We can't collect:
- Cardboard or paper that is dirty, wet or greasy
- Cartons or Tetra Paks (put these in your red lid box)
- Greetings cards that have glitter, foil or plastic
- Beverage paper cups (as these are lined with plastic and we are unable to separate)
- Paper towels or tissues
- Jiffy bags
Frequently asked questions
Tetra Paks (cartons) can now be recycled in your red lid bin. This is because they contain plastic which needs to be removed before the paper can be recycled.
Yes. We will no longer be accepting side waste.
If you have boxes, it doesn't matter which colour box you use, as long as the items are sorted correctly into one box for paper and cardboard and another for plastics, glass and cans.
You can take any excess to a local recycling point or your local recycling centre.
If you are regularly struggling with capacity and have a very large household of permanent residents or a medical condition that generates excess recycling, you may qualify for an additional bin.
To assess whether you are eligible for this service, our waste officers will need to visit you at your property and complete a waste audit.
A service charge may apply.
To apply for an additional bin, complete our online form.
We apologise if we have been unable to collect your recycling. The reason may be due to a vehicle breakdown, blocked roads or severe weather. In these cases, we will endeavour to return to your property as soon as possible.
If by 6pm we have not collected your waste, you should report it as a missed bin, and we will aim to return for a collection within three working days. Please leave your bin/box or sack out until we collect it.
Our assisted bin collection service is designed to support residents who are unable to move their bins and boxes to the kerbside.
To be eligible, there must not be a family member, carer or anyone living at your property who can present your bin for collection and or return it to the property.
The quickest way to apply is by completing our online form, which is sent directly to the waste team.
- Recycling is placed out in recycling bins/boxes by residents for collection.
- The recycling is collected by Lancaster City Council.
- Once the collection vehicle is full, the recycling is delivered to a transfer station at Middleton.
- Here, recycling is loaded into larger vehicles and taken to a sorting facility run by Lancashire County Council.
- The recycling is sorted and then sent onto various recycling companies to be turned into new products. You can find out more by visiting Lancashire County Council's website.
