Colchester

Your kerbside general rubbish and recycling is collected by Colchester City Council. Find out what is accepted in your general rubbish and recycling, as well as how to book a special collection or apply for a clinical waste collection.

Colchester recycling collection

Items accepted in your fortnightly clear plastic recycling sack include:

Plastic bottles with lids left on. Including plastic cleaning, detergent and shampoo bottles
Plastic pots, tubs and trays such as yoghurt pots and ice cream tubs

Please ensure items are clean and dry before recycling. Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your clear plastic recycling sack.

Items accepted in your fortnightly clear paper recycling sack include:

All paper including shredded paper, magazines and junk mail

Please ensure items are clean before recycling. Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your clear paper recycling sack.

Items accepted in your fortnightly clear cardboard recycling sack include:

All cardboard including cardboard boxes, egg boxes and cereal boxes

Please ensure items are clean before recycling. Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your clear cardboard recycling sack.

Items accepted in your fortnightly green metal recycling box include:

Metal items such as tins, cans and aerosols

Please ensure items are clean and dry before recycling. Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your green metal recycling box.

Items accepted in your fortnightly green glass recycling box include:

Glass bottles
Glass jars with lids left on

Please ensure items are clean and dry before recycling. Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your green glass recycling box.

Items accepted in your weekly food waste caddy include:

Cooked and uncooked food waste
Fruit and vegetables including peelings
Newspaper if used to line your food caddy

Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your food waste caddy.

Items accepted in your fortnightly white garden waste sack include:

Grass cuttings
Shrubs, plants (including house flowers), weeds and leaves
Small branches

Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your white garden waste sacks.

Items accepted in your fortnightly clean textile recycling sack include:

All clean clothing and shoes
All clean blankets, bed linen and towels

Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your blue textile recycling sacks.

Colchester general rubbish collection

Items accepted in your fortnightly general rubbish black sacks include:

Items which cannot be placed in your recycling containers
Nappies and incontinence waste
Polystyrene
Food pouches
Crisp packets
Bubble wrap
Plastic film, such as cling film
Pet bedding and litter

Find out more about items that are and are not accepted in your general rubbish black sacks.

Colchester special (bulky waste) collection

It may be possible for you to arrange a special or bulky waste collection for large items or electrical items from your household. Please note there may be a charge for this service.

Find out more about special collections in Colchester and book a collection.

Colchester clinical waste collection

Clinical waste includes human or animal tissue, blood or bodily fluids, excretions, drugs or other pharmaceutical products, swabs or dressings and syringes, needles or other sharp instruments, that may put human health at risk.

Clinical waste is not accepted in your kerbside collection or at any Essex County Council recycling centre. Clinical waste produced by a healthcare worker during a visit to your home should be removed by them. For clinical waste that is generated at home by self-treatment, contact Colchester City Council for a clinical waste collection.

Find your nearest recycling centre in Colchester

Recycling centres are for your own household waste only. Your nearest Essex County Council recycling centre in Colchester is Colchester Recycling Centre and West Mersea Recycling Centre. Please check recycling centre opening times and site restrictions before visiting.