Some centres have a separate container for aluminium drinks cans. If not, they can be put in the metal container.
Food cans are generally made of steel and can be recycled at recycling centres in the metal container.
Empty aerosols can be recycled at recycling centres in either the aluminium or metal containers. Do not pierce, crush or place aerosols on a fire, because they can explode.
Cardboard will compost and can be put in any composting or wormery system or layered with grass cuttings to make a leaf mould/peat substitute. This substitute resembles peat but is a renewable resource. It's an invaluable ingredient in seed and potting mixes or just dug into your soil.
Cardboard, whatever size and shape, can be recycled at
recycling centres in the cardboard recycling container. Please flatten the cardboard first. Do not put cardboard in newspaper and magazine recycling banks because cardboard fibre cannot be recycled into paper.
Good quality carpets and rugs can be sold second-hand or donated to charitable organisations or voluntary groups.
Carpets that are not reusable can be laid over compost heaps as a cover or used as mulch. Alternatively, local allotment and gardening groups may be interested in them for similar uses.
Never mix different chemicals together; this can create toxic fumes or cause an explosion.
Never pour chemicals down the sink, toilet or drain. Please refer to the manufacturer's advice for disposal.
Alternatively, you can contact the Waste and Recycling Helpline on 0845 603 7625.
Paper Christmas decorations can be recycled in cardboard banks at recycling centres.
Damaged or unusable Christmas decorations can be put in your rubbish bin (wrapping any glass or sharp items in newspaper first) or left in the non-recyclables container at any recycling centre.
Clinical waste includes any item which may be soiled by blood or bodily fluids, such as syringes, sanitary products and soiled dressings/bandages and must not be disposed of in your rubbish bin.
Most households do not produce clinical waste, apart from individuals who use large numbers of needles or change colostomy bags. For advice on methods of disposal, contact your local GP, hospital or whoever is providing your health care.
Clinical waste produced by residential homes is classed as household waste and should be collected by your local council on request. There may be a charge for this service. Contact your local council for details.
Wellington boots cannot be recycled, and should be placed with household rubbish.
Before disposing of a computer, take all practical steps to protect personal data by wiping clean hard drives or rendering them unusable.
Unwanted computers, printers and fax machines that are in working order can be sold through local newspapers or donated to charities, schools or community groups.
You can find locations of sites that recycle electrical goods in Essex on the
Reuse Essex website.
Computer monitors contain cathode ray tubes and need special care when being disposed of. Household computer monitors can be taken to a recycling centre. Where possible these will be reused or recycled.
Businesses should refer to the
NetRegs site for advice on disposing of monitors.
Schools wishing to dispose of monitors may need to register with the
Environment Agency under the Hazardous Waste Regulations.
Cardboard drink containers designed to hold liquids such as milk and fruit juices must not be put in cardboard recycling banks because they are lined with foil or wax which cannot be separated from the cardboard.
Cardboard used to package a multi-pack of drinks cartons may be a little shiny but, since it has not been treated to hold liquid, it can be recycled at
Essex County Council recycling centres in the cardboard recycling container.
Tetra Pak recycling is available in all areas. You can check where your local collection points are on the Tetra Pak
website.
If you are unable to recycle Tetra Paks through your local scheme, put them in your rubbish bin.