Black box scheme

Your black box collection

All households in Bristol that have access to the kerbside are eligible for the black box recycling service.

Please place your black box at the edge of your property and clearly visible from the road on your collection day by 7am.  If you are unsure when your collection day is, you can find out today using our collection day finder.

Need a new black box? Request one online today!

Having trouble putting your black box out for collection? If you have trouble carrying your box to the front of your property due to disability or infirmity you can apply today for our assisted collection service

Properties that are not suitable for the black box recycling service, such as high-rise flats or Elderly Persons' Dwellings, may have or be able to have a Mini Recycling Centre which are sets of wheeled recycling bins for collection of paper, tins and glass.  There is no charge for this service.

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What we collect

Please keep your box tidy and separate your items as it makes the collection much more efficient.  If your black box is full you can put different items in untied carrier bags next to your box and they will be collected.

We will collect the following items from your black box:

• Food and drinks cans (please remove lids and rinse)
• Newspapers and magazines (including catalogues and junkmail)
• Yellow pages and telephone directories
• Glass bottles and jars (rinse out and place the lids with your cans)
• Clothes, blankets and material (put these out on a dry day in a plastic bag, rags will not be accepted)
• Pair of shoes (tie shoes together)
  
• Aluminium foil and containers
• Household batteries, including rechargeable (keep together in a small tied bag)
• Spectacles
• Aerosol cans (please empty and remove lids)

Place the following next to your black box:

• Engine oil (in a secure container)
• Car batteries

Sorry we can't take:

• Broken glass
• Window glass
• Drinking glasses
• Pyrex glass
• Household rubbish
• Plastic
• Foil Crisp Packets
• Cooking oil

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Missed recycling collection

We cannot guarantee the time of your collection, so please wait until after 5pm on your collection day before reporting missed collections. 

Please also be aware that your box may not have been collected for one of the following reasons:

• It is not due to be collected - please check that you are putting your box out on the right collection day.
• It was not presented in time - boxes must be available from 7.00am to guarantee collection.

Please report your missed collection by completing our missed collection report form.

We aim to return to collect your recycling within 2 working days of your call.

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