Brentwood Recycling Rules & Sack Colours
A straightforward guide to what goes in each sack, box and bin for households in Brentwood.
Use this page to make sure your waste is sorted correctly, avoid missed collections, and help keep Brentwood clean and environmentally friendly. If you are unsure of your collection day, please visit our Bin Collection Dates page.
Blue Sack – Paper & Cardboard
Blue sacks are collected every other week and are used only for clean paper and cardboard.
✓ Yes, please include:
- Newspapers, magazines and brochures
- Letters, envelopes and writing paper
- Cardboard boxes (flattened)
- Food boxes, such as cereal or chocolate boxes
- Greeting cards without glitter
- Toilet-roll tubes and cardboard packaging
- Clean pizza boxes with no food residue
✗ No thanks:
- Shredded paper (place in black sack)
- Food-stained cardboard
- Plastic, metal or glass
- Wrapping paper with glitter or foil
White Sack – Cans & Plastics
White sacks are collected every other week, alternating with the blue sack. Please rinse items to remove food residue.
✓ Yes, please include:
- Plastic bottles (washed, lids replaced)
- Plastic tubs and pots (yoghurt, margarine, fruit punnets)
- Cleaning and toiletry plastic bottles
- Food tins and drink cans
- Aerosol cans (empty)
- Clean foil and foil trays
- Metal lids and small metal packaging
✗ No thanks:
- Plastic bags, cling film or wrapping
- Foil pouches
- Polystyrene
- Toys, tools or hard plastics that are not packaging
- Glass of any kind
Red Box – Glass
Glass must always be placed in the red box and never in any sack. Bottle tops should be removed and put in the white sack.
✓ Yes, please include:
- Glass bottles (any colour)
- Glass jars (any size)
✗ No thanks:
- Broken glass from windows/mirrors
- Pyrex or ovenproof glass
- Drinking glasses
- Light bulbs or fluorescent tubes
Food Waste – Caddy
Food waste is collected weekly. Please bag or wrap food before placing it in the caddy.
✓ Yes, please include:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Meat, fish and dairy waste
- Leftover cooked food
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Bread, rice and pasta
- Eggshells
✗ No thanks:
- Packaging of any kind
- Liquids, oils or fats
- Garden waste
Garden Waste
Collected via brown wheeled bin (subscription required) or green biodegradable garden sacks.
✓ Yes, please include:
- Grass cuttings, leaves, hedge trimmings
- Plants, weeds and flowers
- Small branches and twigs
- Christmas trees (cut up)
✗ No thanks:
- Soil, stones or rubble
- Treated wood
- Food waste or plastics
Black Sack – General Waste
For non-recyclable waste only. Must be tied securely.
✓ Yes, please include:
- Non-recyclable plastics (wrappers, crisp packets, film)
- Food-soiled packaging
- Broken household items (not recyclable)
- Nappies and sanitary products
- Polystyrene and soft plastics
✗ Do not include:
- Any recyclable paper, card, glass or cans
- Garden waste
- Electricals, large items or hazardous waste
Other Household Items
Some items cannot go in any of the standard kerbside sacks but should not be thrown in general waste if possible.
Batteries
Do not put batteries in black or recycling sacks as they cause fires. Take them to supermarket battery bins or the recycling centre.
Textiles
Clothes and shoes should be taken to textile banks or local charity shops. Do not put them in the blue sack.
Small Electricals
Broken toasters, kettles, etc., should be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre (The Tip) on Coxtie Green Road.
Common Recycling Questions
Can shredded paper go in the blue sack?
No. Shredded paper is too small for the recycling machinery and should go in your black sack.
Can I put glass in the white sack?
No. All glass must go in the red box. Glass in sacks is dangerous for collection crews.
Can foil pouches go in the white sack?
No. Foil pouches (like pet food pouches) cannot be recycled at the kerbside and should go in the black sack.
Can plastic bags be recycled?
Soft plastic bags and film cannot be placed in the white sack and should go in the black sack or taken to supermarket soft plastic collection points.
Presentation Rules
Put your sacks or bins out by 7.30 am on your collection day. Ensure sacks are tied securely and clearly visible from the road. Using the wrong sack colour or putting out contaminated recycling may result in missed collection.
Disclaimer: This page is a general guide only. Waste and recycling rules may change, so residents should check with Brentwood Borough Council for the most up-to-date information.