What to recycle at Townmead Road

A to Z

Aluminium foil

Such as milk bottle tops, tops of cartons (yoghurt, cottage cheese or similar), baking/freezing trays, kitchen foil and even foil from cigarette packets.

No plastic coated foil such as crisp packets, coffee bags, tea bags wrapping, some chocolate and sweets wrappers, etc. Tip - you can easily test if something is aluminium and can be recycled by scrunching it in your hand. If it stays squashed it is aluminium and can be recycled. If it springs back into shape when it is squashed it cannot be recycled!

Batteries

There is a container provided where you can recycle your batteries. Batteries are recycled by Battery Back.

Books

Books in good condition can be left for re-use. These are donated to various charities and organisations including Amnesty International, Book-Aid, RNLI, local charity shops and hospitals. Speak to a member of staff on site for more details.

Bric-a-brac

Our contractors ensure that all usable items of bric-a-brac are sent for re-use. Items collected range from CDs to furniture.

Cans (steel and aluminium) and empty aerosol cans

The recycling of aluminium cans allows an energy saving of 95% compared with the production of virgin metal.

Car batteries (householders only)

You can drop off car batteries for re-use. Please ask one of the assistants on where to leave it.

Cardboard and paper

Paper, junk mail, shredded paper (loose), newspapers and magazines, yellow pages and directories, flattened cardboard, envelopes and food and drink cartons - eg Tetra Pak^TM.

If you are moving we have a supply of good quality cardboard and packing boxes that can be re-used for free. Alternately if you have just moved in then please recycle your packing boxes here.

Christmas trees

Christmas trees can be can be left at the green waste bay for composting throughout the year. A free, kerbside collection service is available for a limited time during January. This service is advertised near Christmas.

Cooking oil

All vegetable cooking oil can be recycled but please ask for assistance on site. Old vegetable oil is collected and used in the manufacture of biodiesel.

Electrical equipment

We accept all electrical goods for recycling. If we cannot send an item for re-use then we will ensure that its components are recycled or sent for safe disposal.

Energy saving lightbulbs

These are accepted from householders only. They are sent for reprocessing which includes mercury extraction for reuse and recycling of glass and aluminium parts.

Engine oil (householders only)

This is sent for processing (by removing excess water and filtering out particles) to be used as a fuel in heavy industry and power stations.

Fire extinguishers

Householders only, not commercial businesses.

Fluorescent tubes

Householders only, not commercial businesses.

Fridges and freezers (not commercial units)

Please use our drop off point and be sure to ask an assistant for help. This service is free, but we also offer a chargeable collection service.

Garden waste

There is a dedicated bay for garden waste. See recycling garden waste at Townmead Road.

Gas bottles

Householders only, not commercial businesses.

Glass bottles and jars

It is very important that you separate your glass into the appropriate colours - green, brown or clear. There are separate bays for each. Excessive contamination effects the quantities of glass that can be recycled. No Pyrex, mirrors or other types of glass.

Hard plastics

We accept all kinds of hard plastic except PVC. Recyclable items include seed trays and plant pots (soil removed); barrels and drums; wheeled bins; buckets; plastic pallets; crates; catering tubs and garden furniture. No PVC, plastic bags or film. Household plastic food packaging such as yoghurt pots or plastic bottles should be put in the mixed container recycling bins.

Hazardous waste (householders only)

Many products and chemicals that are reguarly used in the home and garden may contain hazardous substances which should be disposed of safely at Townmead Road. Asbestos and clinical waste are treated separately.

Metals

We are able to send all metal objects for recycling. If you have any bulky metal items, please ask a member of staff for assistance.

Mobile phones

If you have an unwanted mobile phone (preferably with a charger) you can drop it off. They are collected for re-use. Alternatively there are many online schemes and local schools that collect mobile phones for recycling.

Paint

Good quality usable paint can be deposited in a special container on site. It is then collected and redistributed for use in the community via the 'RePaint' Scheme. This gives out free paint to schools, charities and those who need it. See our RePaint Scheme page for more details. No rusty tins or empty pots.

Plastic containers

All household plastic containers including household cleaner and detergent bottles, plastic milk, juice, soft drink and water bottles, plastic food trays. margarine tubs and yoghurt pots. Please wash and squash plastic containers before recycling.

Lids can also be recycled. We cannot acccept any bottles that have contained motor oil or pesticides, plastic bags or film, shrink or bubble wrap, polystyrene packing or beads or cable ties. Find out more about what plastics can be recycled.

Rubble and hardcore

You can drop off any concrete, rubble or asphalt for recycling. We hope to recycle 100 tonnes every week. At present we average around 50 tonnes. Hardcore is re-used as aggregate.

Shoes and textiles

We can accept pairs of shoes, clothes, hats, belts, towels, bed sheets and curtains that are clean and in good condition. These items are re-used in developing countries. Please place items in a plastic bag to help keep them clean. No duvets or pillows. Find out how the shoes and textiles are re-used

Soil and clay

Soil and clay can be deposited for recycling in the designated skip. The soil is then re-used once it has been sorted and graded. No stones, hardcore, rubble, bags, plastic or litter.

Spectacles

These are taken to Dollond & Aitchison to be re-used or recycled.

Toner and ink cartridges

Over two million non-biodegradable toner cartridges are thrown away annually in the UK, each one weighing about 4kgs and made mostly of plastic. Leave them with us for recycling. They'll be passed on to ActionAid Recycling, raising funds to help fight poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Wood and timber

Many types of wood can be recycled including wooden furniture, timber off-cuts, flooring and crates or pallets. Wood is recycled and chipped into animal bedding, equestrian surfacing and used to make new furniture such as kitchen worktops. No treated wood (creosote, etc), painted wood, MDF or chipboard. Speak to a member of staff on site for advice.

Woodchip

We have free woodchip to give away to residents (supply is seasonal). We donate the woodchip for re-use. Please bring your own bag to fill and take away.