What can I recycle?
Here is an A to Z guide of what can be recycled, and how to do so. Click on a letter below to be taken to the appropriate section.
Most residents in Calderdale have a household collection service that takes paper, glass, cans and textiles. BUT... there's so much more that can be recycled through your local Bring Sites and Household Waste Recycling Centres. Plastic bottles and all kinds of cardboard for example are other materials that make up a lot of our waste, and all of which can easily be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) and Bring Sites.
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Sites that now accept Tetra Pak packaging for recycling are:
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For windowed envelopes, unless it states on the envelope itslef, unfortunately these cannot be put into your paper recycling as the glue that is used and the plastic film contaminates the recycling.
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Sites that now accept Tetra Pak packaging for recycling are:
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Aerosols
Aluminium aerosols can be placed in any of the can banks situated at some supermarket bring sites and any of the 5 HWRC's. Please do not pierce the aerosol. Aluminium Cans
Aluminium cans can be recycled through your household collection service. They can also be deposited in any of the can banks situated at bring sites and HWRC's throughout the Borough, click here for information about your nearest site. Aluminium Foil
Clean foil items may be placed in the can banks throughout the Borough at the Bring Sites and the Household Waste Recycling Centres. Asbestos
Asbestos is a hazardous material and only small amounts can be accepted at Halifax HWRC by appointment - telephone 0845 245 7000 for details. Typically the materials will be asbestos roofing, sheeting from garages and fall pipes. For larger amounts see the Yellow Pages for commercial asbestos strippers. Batteries
Car batteries can be taken to your local HWRC. Bicycles
You can pass your unwanted bicycle to friends, relatives or neighbours to be re-used, alternatively please take them to any of the five HWRC's and place in the scrap metal area. Books
These can be taken to any charity shop for resale, alternatively, place them in the books/music banks at some of the Bring Sites and Household Waste Recycling Centres throughout the Borough. Bottles
Glass bottles can be deposited in your receptacle and placed at the kerbside for collection - please refer to the post code search for collection days. For any missed collections or if you are uncertain of collection days please contact Street Care on: 0845 245 7000. Washed and clean jam jars can be used as storage containers. Alternatively, glass bottles can be deposited at most Bring Sites and HWRC's in the glass banks. For plastic bottles please refer to Plastic. Bric a brac
These types of items are usually accepted at most charity stores to be resold in their shops. Bricks
Bricks and rubble can be taken to any of the 5 HWRC's and deposited in the skips marked Bricks and Rubble. Bulky Refuse
Calderdale Council’s Environmental Health Waste Management Section can collect & dispose of bulky household waste from your property for a small charge of only £10. Bulky household waste consists of free standing furniture or electrical appliances. There is a separate charge for the collection and disposal of fridges, freezers and fridge freezer units. Additionally free estimates are given for the removal and disposal of builders and DIY waste, large quantities of garden waste together with fixtures and fittings from your property. To arrange such a service please telephone Street Care 0845 245 7000. Credit/debit card details taken by way of payment, cash or cheques by post or in person. Alternatively, CHAS Bradford collect cookers, domestic appliances, electrical goods and fridges/freezers free of charge. Visit www.chasbradford.btik.com for more information. Cans
All cans (steel and aluminium) can be recycled through your kerbside collection service. They can also be deposited in the receptacles at the HWRC's or some of the Bring Sites. Cardboard
Thin cardboard such as cereal boxes can be placed in your kerbside receptacle for a fortnightly collection. Larger corrugated cardboard boxes should be flattened and deposited in the cardboard skips at the HWRC's. Cards
These can be re-used as designs for gift tags, or placed in either your kerbside receptacle or at the bring recycling sites or HWRC's. However, please ensure that cards with foil or glitter are not placed in the receptacle as this type of material contaminates the recycling process. Carpets
If you have a home made compost heap, pieces of carpet are ideal as insulating material to place on the top of the heap to keep the heat in. Alternatively, they can be sold or given to charity shops. Rugs can be given to CHAS (visit www.chasbradford.btik.com). As a last resort unwanted carpets should be disposed of at the HWRC’s in the general waste skips. Carrier Bags
Are accepted at any Tesco’s supermarket, however, you should consider reusing your carrier bags or even buying a “Bag for Life”. Cars
If the car is beyond repair then it should be taken to any local scrap metal merchant for disposal.Cartons
Tetra Pak is no ordinary cardboard. It is specially coated with food quality sealant to enable it to carry liquids. Because of this it is not suitable for recycling along with normal cardboard. The good news is that there are now 5 sites in Calderdale where you can take your Tetra Pak packaging for recycling. Tetra Pak comes in all shapes and sizes but is best described as cardboard with a waxy/smooth surface. The Tetra Pak packages usually carry liquids like milk, soft drinks, soups, flavoured ices and ice creams.Sites that now accept Tetra Pak packaging for recycling are:
- Eastwood Household Waste Recycling Centre, Halifax Road, Todmorden, OL14 5JR
- Tesco Supermarket, Kings Cross, Halifax, HX1 3TU
- Tesco Supermarket, Sowerby Street, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 3BN
- Sainsbury Supermarket Wade Street, Halifax, HX1 1SB
- Tesco Supermarket, Huddersfield Road, Brighouse HD6 1RZ
Christmas Trees
Will be accepted in the green waste skips at any of the 5 HWRC's. Please ensure that all decorations are removed before depositing in the skip. Any artificial trees should either be given to charity shops or deposited in the general waste skip for disposal. Clothes
The HWRC's have banks for textiles and shoes. Some of the bring sites also have textile banks. Please make sure the textiles are clean and dry. Most charity shops will accept old clean clothes. Clothes can also be collected through you household collection service. Compact Discs
Charity shops will accept these to be resold in their shops, alternatively why not organise a swap-shop type event amongst family and friends. If a CD is not functioning they can be used as coasters or make interesting mobiles and can make very effective bird scaring devices if you want to protect some growing seeds in your garden. Composting
Calderdale MBC offer compost bins at a subsidised rate, please telephone the orderline: 08450 770 758 or click here for more information about composting at home. Computers
Try asking your local school if they would like a computer donated to them - please ensure your hard drive, etc. is cleared. Alternatively, computers can be taken to Extended Life Computers: 01422 323 355. Computers can also be taken to any of the 5 HWRC's and deposited in the Electronic Equipment skip. Cookers
Deposit them in the Electronic Equipment skip at any of the 5 HRWC's. Alternatively they can be donated to CHAS Bradford who will collect them free of charge (www.chasbradford.btik.com) Domestic Appliances
Unwanted appliances can be taken to the HWRC’s. Alternatively, try a scrap metal dealer to see if they will collect it. Domestic Batteries
These can be taken to some of the Household Waste Recycling Centres although there are no official collections for these.
Drinks Cans
All cans (steel and aluminium) can be collected through your household collection service. They can also be deposited in the receptacles at the HWRC's or some of the bring sites. Envelopes
Envelopes without a plastic window can be recycled with your paper.For windowed envelopes, unless it states on the envelope itslef, unfortunately these cannot be put into your paper recycling as the glue that is used and the plastic film contaminates the recycling.
Fax Junk Mail
To reduce the number of junk faxes you receive please contact – The Fax Preference Service, 5th Floor, Haymarket House, 1 Oxenden Street, London, SW1Y 4EE. Tel: 08450 700 702. Foil
Clean foil items may be placed in the can banks throughout the Borough at the HWRC's and some Bring Sites. Foreign Coins
Most charity shops will accept these – alternatively why not keep them to pass on to relatives as a keepsake. Fridges & Freezers
Calderdale Council offer a collection service. Please contact the Street Care helpline on: 0845 245 7000 to find out more. These items can be deposited at your local HWRC free of charge. Alternatively they can be donated to CHAS Bradford who will collect them free of charge (www.chasbradford.btik.com) Furniture
If you think your unwanted furniture might be useful for someone else please contact CHAS Bradford(www.chasbradford.btik.com). They will come and take away all useful items for free. Garden Waste
Please take your garden waste to the collection points at the Household Waste Recycling Centre. You can dispose of grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, leaves, pot plants and small branches. Please do not put plant pots, soil, rubble or any other garden equipment in refuse sacks or in the skips. You can also compost at home - Calderdale Council offer reduced price home composters, contact 0845 077 0758 or log onto www.recyclenow.com to order one direct. Gift Wrapping Paper
Gift wrapping paper can be placed in the kerbside recycling box used for collecting paper. However, please ensure that wrapping paper with foil or glitter is not placed in the receptacle as this type of material contaminates the recycling process. Glass Bottles and Jars
Use the post code search facility on this site to find out if your household collection service collects these. Bottles and jars can also be deposited in a number of bottle banks throughout Calderdale. Greetings Cards
Birthday, Christmas and other greetings cards can be placed in the kerbside recycling box used for collecting paper. However, please ensure that cards with foil or glitter are not placed in the receptacle as this type of material contaminates the recycling process. Hazardous Waste
Unwanted hazardous waste should be dealt with appropriately. Please telephone Street Care on: 0845 245 7000, or the Environment Agency on 0870 850 6506 for advice on disposing of hazardous waste. Hearing Aids
Help the Aged recycle hearing aids. Please ensure units are in working order and send them to - Hearing Aid Appeal, Help the Aged, FREEPOST, LON13616, London, EC1B 1PS. Ink Cartridges
There are many charities which will want unwanted ink cartridges or you can refill and re-use them by visiting a Cartridge World shop. Many charities will take mobile phones as well as empty cartridges, the quickest way to find out is to enter a search on the internet. Jam Jars
Use the post code search facility on this site to find out if your kerbside service collects these. Jars can also be deposited in a number of bottle banks throughout Calderdale. Jewellery
Unwanted jewellery can be taken to charity and second hand shops. Junk Mail
Please remove all plastic packaging before recycling. You can stop junk mail through the Mail Preference Service. Telephone 020 7766 4410, write to them at MPS Freepost 22, London, WE1 7EZ, or register on the Internet at www.mpsonline.org Kitchen Waste
It is possible to use some kitchen waste on your home compost heap. Please go to the home composting section for further advice on home composting. Light Bulbs
Light bulbs cannot be recycled at present and should be wrapped in newspaper and placed in your household waste.Try using energy saving bulbs, which will save money on energy and by not replacing the bulbs so frequently. Magazines
Use the post code search facility on this site to find out if your household collection service collects these. Magazines can also be donated to your local doctor or dentists surgery. Medicines
Unused medicines and the empty bottles should be returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal. Please do not put medicine bottles in bottle banks. Metal
You can take scrap metal to any scrap merchant in Calderdale, or to your local HWRC. Mobile Phones & Accessories
There are a number of commercial companies operating schemes to recycle mobile phones. Some charities also run collection schemes (please refer to ink cartridge). Most Tesco supermarkets have disposal points in-store for unwanted mobile phones. If your kerbside recycling service is provided by Kerbside (Calderdale), you can now recycle your mobile phones by putting them in your black box. To see who collects your rubbish for recycling use the postcode search facility at the top of the page. Nappies
A baby will need over 4,000 nappy changes. Disposable nappies are not biodegradable and may take between 300 - 500 years to break down in landfill sites. Disposable nappies comprise of up to 4% of the total waste that goes in landfill sites, around 8 million nappies a day. For more information about real nappies as an alternative contact the Change Project on 01422 847 080. Newspapers
Newspapers can be recycled through your household collection service, and at the Bring Sites and HWRC's. Office Paper
Paper can be recycled through your kerbside service, and at the bring sites and HWRCs. Oil
Used engine oil discarded down storm drains can cause considerable environmental damage if it leaches into watercourses and/or groundwater. Oil can be taken to your local HWRC. Paint
It can be difficult and dangerous to dispose of unwanted paint. It should not be disposed of in your domestic waste as not only can spillages occur, but the can may explode under the pressure of other materials in the bin. Paint should be disposed of at your local HWRC. You could also donate spare paint to a local charity or community group, visit www.communityrepaint.org. Paper & Card
Paper and card can be recycled through your household collection service, and at the Bring Sites and HWRCs. Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are made from a type of plastic that is difficult to recycle. Re-use bags instead of taking a new bag each time you go shopping. Some supermarkets sell durable bags that can be re-used many times, these are often replaced free of charge by the supermarkets running the Bag for Life scheme. Ask your local store if they have a scheme to recycle or re-use carrier bags. Kerbside (Calderdale) accepts and recycles plastic bags used to seperate recycling materials in the kerbside box as part of their collection service Plastic Bottles
Most plastic bottles can be recycled at your local HWRC - this includes shampoo, soft drink and detergent bottles. Please wash, remove lids and squash all bottles. Plastic Packaging
Many of the kinds of plastic packaging we see in the supermarket are made from a type of plastic that is difficult to recycle. Try to avoid buying pre-packaged fruit and vegetables. Buy loose goods, or check for packaging that will biodegrade. Scrap Metal
Can usually be sold to scrap metal merchants. You can also take it to your local HWRC. Shoes
You can recycle shoes through your household collection service. You can also put them in your nearest textile bank, but remember to tie them together. Spectacles
These are needed by people in developing countries and are collected by most major opticians. Telephone Directories
These can be recycled at paper banks at the Bring Sites and the HWRC's.Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak is no ordinary cardboard. It is specially coated with food quality sealant to enable it to carry liquids. Because of this it is not suitable for recycling along with normal cardboard. The good news is that there are now 5 sites in Calderdale where you can take your Tetra Pak packaging for recycling. Tetra Pak comes in all shapes and sizes but is best described as cardboard with a waxy/smooth surface. The Tetra Pak packages usually carry liquids like milk, soft drinks, soups, flavoured ices and ice creams.Sites that now accept Tetra Pak packaging for recycling are:
- Eastwood Household Waste Recycling Centre, Halifax Road, Todmorden, OL14 5JR
- Tesco Supermarket, Kings Cross, Halifax, HX1 3TU
- Tesco Supermarket, Sowerby Street, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 3BN
- Sainsbury Supermarket Wade Street, Halifax, HX1 1SB
- Tesco Supermarket, Huddersfield Road, Brighouse HD6 1RZ
Textiles
All clean and dry clothing, even imperfect items may be recycled through your household collection service. Simply put them in a separate plastic bag with your box or bag. You can also put them in your nearest textile bank. Tin Foil
You can recycle tin foil at your local HWRC in the mixed can bank. Toys & Games
Toys and games suitable for resale can be taken to some of the charity shops in your area. Tyres
Legislation prohibits the disposal of tyres at HWRC's. Tyres should be returned to the garage where the tyre was fitted. It is the garages responsibility to safely dispose of these tyres. Window Glass
Window glass cannot currently be recycled. Please take your window glass to your local HWRC for safe disposal. Wood
Wood can be recycled at your local HWRC. Yellow Pages
These can be recycled at paper banks at the Bring Sites and the HWRC's.