What you can and can't put in your green recycling box or red recycling bag.
Changes to recycling containers: September 2026
Between September and November 2026, green recycling boxes will be replaced across Bristol.
During this period, your green recycling box will be exchanged for a larger red recycling bag for plastics and cans. The swap will take place following your usual recycling collection.
Before your new container is delivered, you will receive a letter explaining when the change will take place and how to use the new recycling containers.
Please continue to use your green recycling box as normal until it is replaced.
Don't put your recyclable items in a black bag or bin liner as they will not be taken away.
You can put in:
- aerosols: empty, without lids
- plastic drinks bottles including: milk, squash, cola, ketchup
- plastic toiletry bottles including: shampoo, cleanser, shower gel
- plastic cleaning bottles including: bleach, washing up liquid
- bottle tops, lids and caps: metal and plastic
- cans: rinsed and squashed food and drink cans
- foil and takeaway containers: rinsed and squashed
- plastic yogurt pots, ice cream and margarine tubs, rinsed
- plastic trays: meat, fruit, biscuit
You can't put in:
- black plastic: our machines can't sort black plastic
- bin liners: reuse or put in your black wheelie bin
- bubble wrap: reuse or put in your black wheelie bin
- cardboard: put it in your blue cardboard bag
- carrier/plastic bags or soft plastics: use them to line your food caddy or take them to your local supermarket for recycling
- cellophane: put in your black wheelie bin
- cling film: put in your black wheelie bin
- crisp packets: put in your black wheelie bin
- hard plastics (flower pots, toys, videos, drain pipes): take them to your local recycling centre or a charity shop
- light bulbs: take to your local recycling centre
- polystyrene: put in your black wheelie bin
- wrapping paper, such as Christmas paper
Using your green recycling box or red recycling bag
Put plastics and cans inside the bag.
Use the lid on your bag to stop the contents blowing away.
If your bag is full put extra recycling in untied carrier bags sorted by material such as a bag for plastic, a bag for cans. Don't use black bags or bin liners.
Rinse and flatten plastic packaging.
Rinse and flatten food cans and tin foil containers.
Write your house number with paint or marker pen on the side of your red recycling bag so we can tell which property the box has come from. It may also prevent people from taking a box that is not theirs.
You should keep your bag off the pavement between your recycling collections.