Suffolk Home Recycling Sorting Guide
Interactive, locally‑focused recycling reference: check items, avoid contamination, and find Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
Last updated: 2025-10-05
Quick Reference: What Goes In Most Kerbside Bins
- Paper & card (clean / dry)
- Plastic bottles, food pots & tubs (rinsed)
- Metal cans & clean foil
- Glass bottles & jars (no lids if your council requests removal)
- Food & drink cartons (in most districts)
Always confirm with your local council — collection contracts sometimes differ slightly across Suffolk districts.
Recycling Item Checker
Search + filter items to see if they are kerbside recyclable.
- Plastic Bottles
✅ Recyclable
Rinse, squash & replace cap.
- Pizza Boxes
✅ Recyclable
Only clean / grease‑free parts. Tear off oily sections.
- Aluminium Cans
✅ Recyclable
Rinse. Keep loose (no bags).
- Glass Jars
✅ Recyclable
Empty & rinse. Metal lids usually recyclable separately.
- Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam)
❌ Not Recyclable
Not accepted kerbside – place in general waste.
- Newspapers & Magazines
✅ Recyclable
Keep clean & dry.
- Soft Plastics (Wrappers / Film)
❌ Not Recyclable
Use supermarket soft‑plastic return bins.
- Cardboard Boxes
✅ Recyclable
Flatten. Remove tape where easy.
- Food & Drink Cartons (Tetra Pak)
✅ Recyclable
Rinse. Check local council – widely accepted.
- Clean Foil & Foil Trays
✅ Recyclable
Remove food; scrunch into a loose ball.
- Light Bulbs (LED/CFL)
❌ Not Recyclable
Take to recycling centre collection point (do not bin).
- Incandescent Bulbs
❌ Not Recyclable
General waste (not recyclable).
- Household Batteries
❌ Not Recyclable
Use supermarket or HWRC battery tube.
- Paper (Mixed Office / Letters)
✅ Recyclable
No shredded confetti – bag shreddings or reuse.
- Plastic Cutlery
❌ Not Recyclable
Not kerbside; reuse or avoid single‑use.
- Metal Cookware (Pans)
✅ Recyclable
Take to recycling centre metal skip.
- Textiles / Clothing
❌ Not Recyclable
Use textile banks / donate – not kerbside.
- Small Electricals (WEEE)
❌ Not Recyclable
Take to HWRC or retailer take‑back scheme.
- Empty Aerosol Cans
✅ Recyclable
Fully empty. Do NOT pierce.
- Rigid Plastic Toys
❌ Not Recyclable
Donate if usable; otherwise general waste.
- Food Waste
❌ Not Recyclable
Home compost or council food caddy (if provided).
Always verify unusual items with your local council A–Z before placing them in the kerbside bin.
General Contamination Reduction Tips
- Rinse food & drink containers (quick cold swill is enough).
- Keep recyclables loose — never in black sacks.
- Leave labels on (they are removed in processing).
- Scrunch test foil – if it stays scrunched, recycle it.
- Avoid “wishcycling” – when in doubt, leave it out.
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC)
Specialist disposal: WEEE, batteries, bulbs, metals, green waste & more.
Ipswich Recycling Centre
Portman's Walk, Ipswich IP1 2DW
Book ahead at busy times.
Bury St Edmunds Recycling Centre
Rougham Hill, Bury St Edmunds IP33 2RW
Check seasonal hours.
Lowestoft Recycling Centre
Rotterdam Rd, Lowestoft NR32 2EF
Soft plastics & WEEE accepted.
Stowmarket Recycling Centre
Beechwood, Old Bury Rd (A14), Stowmarket IP14 5DP
Bring ID for access.
Always verify opening hours on the official Suffolk Recycling website before travelling.
Waste Reduction Beyond Recycling
- Switch to refill & loose‑produce shops where possible.
- Compost food peelings & garden trimmings (see our Composting Guide).
- Borrow or share tools instead of buying rarely‑used kit.
- Repair clothing & appliances (local repair cafés) before replacing.
- Plan meals to cut food waste – freeze leftovers early.
Sources & Attribution
Data compiled from Suffolk district council guidance, Suffolk Waste Partnership resources and WRAP UK general materials handling notes. This page is informational only – always check your local council website for the most current acceptance rules.
Editorial: Suffolk Daily Team • Reviewed: 2025-10-05