Recycling
Use your green bin for recyclable items only. It is collected every two weeks.
When to put your bin out
- Put your bin out by 6am on your normal collection day.
- Place it on the boundary of your property.
- Bring it back in as soon as you can after collection to stop any obstruction of the highway.
We do not tolerate any abuse of the collection crews and it will be reported to the Police. If you have a complaint, please contact the council.
Your green recycling bin is for dry recyclable items only. Put your food waste in your food caddy for recycling and non-recyclable items in your grey refuse bin.
+ What you can put in your green bin
| Paper, magazines, cardboard, shredded paper | |
| Phone books, catalogues and greeting cards | |
| Plastic bottles, tubs, pots and containers | |
| Yoghurt pots | |
| Food and drink cartons | |
| Clear plastic trays and punnets | |
| Tins and cans, including biscuit tins | |
| Kitchen foil and foil trays | |
| Glass bottles and jars | |
| Bottle caps and tops | |
| Empty aerosol cans | |
| Toothpaste tubes | |
| Shower gel bottles | |
| Hair product bottles and containers (like shampoo bottles) | |
Tip: Flatten cardboard boxes and plastic bottles to save space.
Rinse items to remove food before recycling.
+ What you can't put in your green bin
| Food waste | |
| Nappies | |
| Sanitary products | |
| Clothing, shoes or textiles | |
| Garden waste | |
| Electrical items or batteries | |
| Polystyrene | |
| Cigarette lighters or vapes | |
| Light bulbs | |
| Soft plastic (like bread bags, carrier bags or cling film) | |
| Refuse (general rubbish) | |
Need a reminder?
Download our Recycling & Food Waste Guide [pdf] 551KB. Perfect for your fridge or kitchen noticeboard.
Not sure about something? Check our A-Z of Waste for help.
Please remember:
The best option if to put recycling loose in the green bin - no bags. If needed, use clear sacks only (sold in shops and online). Don't use black, white or coloured bags. They can't be recycled. Empty and rinse food containers before recycling.
Help us recycle right
Ashford is one Kent's top recycling areas - thank you! But 14% of recycling is still contaminated, so there's room to improve.
Common mistakes found in recycling bins are:
- Food waste
- Black bin bags
- Nappies
What is contamination?
Contamination happens when non-recyclable items go in the recycling bin. This can cause the whole collection load to be rejected. It's then treated as refuse (general waste), even if most was recyclable.
Electricals, batteries and vapes
Don't put electrical items, batteries or vapes in any bin. They can cause fires in collection vehicles. This puts crews at risk and disrupts your service.
Take them to:
- Any Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Kent.
- Shops, supermarkets or charities.
Find where on Recycle Your Electricals website.
Where does your recycling go?
Ashford Borough Council collects your recycling. Kent County Council disposes of it. Find where your recycling goes and how it is recycled on Kent County Council's website.
