Why you should recycle

People putting recycling and food waste into the correct bins
Recycling is important because it helps save resources.

Many things we throw away can be used again. This means we waste less.
Person in a wheelchair sitting next to a pile of drink cans and a thermometer symbol.
When we recycle, we use less energy.

For example, making new cans from old ones saves a lot of energy.
Green recycle symbol
Recycling helps protect the environment.

It means we don't need to dig up new materials, which can harm nature.
Person sorting clothes and household items for donation
Some charities use recycling to raise money.

You can donate things like clothes to shops that help others.
Three people wearing protective clothing and safety helmets at work
Jobs are created through recycling.

People work in places that fix and reuse things.
White t-shirt with words 'made from recycled materials' on the front in green
Buying things made from recycled materials helps keep the recycling process going.

It creates a market for recycled goods.

What happens to your recycling

Recycling machine sorting materials on a conveyor belt
Recycling is sorted at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

Here, different materials are separated for reuse.
Person putting plastic bottles into a recycling bin
Your recycling can become new products.

Paper becomes more paper, and plastic can become toys or furniture.
Waste collection workers standing beside a refuse lorry and wheelie bin
Recycling is collected in special trucks.

They have two compartments to separate rubbish and recycling.

How you can recycle

Person pointing to a calendar to show a collection date
We collect rubbish twice a week, but not on certain bank holidays.

You can check what day your bins and recycling are collected online.

To see your collection day, choose which street you live on. It will tell you what days your street has bins and recycling collected.

Check your bin and recycling collection days
Person holding a bag of recyclable items ready for collection
To recycle at home, use clear bags if rubbish is collected outside your house.
Person standing next to a recycling bin showing what can be recycled
People in flats use mixed bank recycling.

Mixed bank recycling means there are special bins for everyone to use.
Glass bottles, metal cans and newspapers that can be recycled
Make sure recycling is clean and dry.

This includes things like paper, glass, cans, and plastic bottles.
Food waste and plastic film should not be put in the recycling bin
Do not recycle food waste, clothes, or soft plastics like bags and cling film.
Wood and batteries should not be put in the recycling bin
Do not put wood, batteries, or light bulbs in your recycling.

These belong in special waste collections.
Person pointing to information about a recycling centre and accepted materials
To learn more about recycling, you can visit a recycling centre in Wandsworth.

Book a tour of the recycling centre in Wandsworth