Blue bin collections

Most people in Trafford recycle, but we need everyone to recycle the correct items in the right bin. The number of wrong items put in blue bins is increasing and we need your help. There are now so many wrong items in blue bins, that they cannot be picked out at the sorting centre.

49.1
tonnes

From January to November 2023, nearly 49.1 tonnes of paper and card collected in blue bins across Trafford could not be recycled because there were too many wrong items mixed in.

£5,401

This has cost the taxpayer an additional £5,401 in disposal costs – money which could be used to support other public services.

Some of the wrong items included paper kitchen towel and tissues, electrical waste, cakes and other food still in their cardboard boxes and dirty nappies stuffed into empty cereal boxes.

If there are wrong items in the blue bin

In an effort to tackle contamination of blue recycling bins, our waste crews are checking to see if they contain the correct items. If the bin contains the wrong items, a bin tag will be left on the handle of the bin and will not be emptied. If your bin is tagged, remove any wrong items from the blue bin and present it on your next scheduled blue bin day.

Only recycle paper and card in your blue bin. Below you will find a list of what can be recycled in blue bins and a copy of a recycling guide which can be downloaded.

Items that can be recycled in the blue bin

  • Paper and newspapers
  • Magazines and catalogues
  • Books
  • Cardboard
  • Card packaging
  • Food and drink cartons (Tetrapac)
  • Greetings cards
  • Wrapping paper (not foil based)
  • Envelopes and mail
  • Junk mail

blue-bin-go-in

Download your recycling guide to help you recycle right.

Your paper and card bin is collected every four weeks. Your bin should be available for collection from the edge of your property or your collection point, from 6:30am on the day of collection.

What we won't empty

We will not empty bins that contain the following:

  • Plastic bags
  • Polystyrene
  • Wrapping film
  • Glass, jars and bottles
  • Food and drink cans
  • Garden or food waste
  • Paper tissues and paper towels

Bags of waste presented to the side of the bin will not be collected. If you do have extra recycling, take this to your local household waste recycling centre.

To find out what to do with specific items visit the A-Z on the Recycle for Greater Manchester website.