Recycling rules for Barnsley
Based on Barnsley published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Under Simpler Recycling, councils across England are standardising collections. Here's what currently goes in each bin in Barnsley.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Barnsley
Polystyrene: Usually general waste (UK-wide position)UK-wide, not council-specific
Across the UK, polystyrene is rarely collected at the kerbside and usually belongs in general waste. Barnsley's published guidance we hold doesn't list it.
Cardboard: Goes in your paper & card bin
Glass bottles and jars: Goes in your recycling bin
Food waste: Not accepted in Barnsley's garden waste bin
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Aerosols: Goes in your recycling bin
Your bins in Barnsley, by colour
Container colours as published by Barnsley. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Grey bin
General waste
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
You can put the following items in your brown bin::
- Glass bottles and jars
- Food tins
- Drink cans
- Plastic bottles
- Plastic pots, such as yoghurt pots
- Plastic plant pots
- Plastic tubs and trays
- Cartons for liquids (Tetra Paks)
- Biscuit and sweet tins or tubs
- Empty aerosols
- Aluminium tubes
- Foil trays and lids · Only if clean
- Kitchen foil · Only if clean
Not accepted
You can't put the following items in your brown bin::
- Plastic food bags or film (these can be recycled at some supermarkets)Instead: Recycle at some supermarkets
- Carrier bags
- Plastic toys
- Broken glass
- Light bulbs
- Pyrex
- Window glass
- Metal items other than cans and tins
- Plastic items other than bottles, pots, tubs and trays
Garden Waste
Accepted
You can put the following items in your green bin::
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves
- Weeds
- Flowers
- Plants
- Bark and wood shavings
- Hedge clippings
- Twigs
Not accepted
You can't put the following items in your green bin::
- Food waste
- Tea bags and coffee grinds
- Large pieces of wood
- Turf
- Stones, rocks, gravel or concrete
- Sand
- Soil
- Black sacks
Paper & Card
Accepted
You can put the following items in your blue bin::
- Paper - plain and coloured
- Dry cardboard
- Wrapping paper if it doesn't have glitter or foil
- Junk mail
- Catalogues and brochures
- Phone directories
- Newspapers
- Magazines
- Envelopes · Film windows removed
Not accepted
You can't put the following items in your blue bin::
- Wet cardboard
- Cardboard with food residue, such as pizza or takeaway boxes · Food residue
- Cartons for liquids, such as juice or milk
- Tissue paper
- Greeting cards with glitter, foil or embellishments
- Gift bags
- Greaseproof paper
- Books (donate these to a charity, school or book club)Instead: Donate to a charity, school or book club
- Disposable coffee cups · these contain a layer of plastic film
When are bins collected in Barnsley?
This page covers what goes in each bin. Collection days are set by the council and vary by street. See how to find your bin collection day, or browse streets by postcode to see schedules your neighbours have added.
Check with the council over bank holidays. See the council’s page →
No streets in Barnsley on BinBosh yet — be the first to add yours, and your neighbours can adopt it instead of setting up their own.
Frequently asked questions
What bin does cardboard go in Barnsley?
In Barnsley, dry cardboard goes in your paper & card bin.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in Barnsley?
In Barnsley, glass bottles and jars go in your recycling bin.
What bin does food waste go in Barnsley?
In Barnsley, food waste can't go in your garden waste bin.
What bin do tins and cans go in Barnsley?
In Barnsley, food tins go in your recycling bin.
What goes in the recycling bin in Barnsley?
Barnsley's recycling bin accepts glass bottles and jars, food tins, drink cans, plastic bottles, plastic pots, such as yoghurt pots, plastic plant pots, and more.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Barnsley?
Barnsley's garden waste bin accepts grass cuttings, leaves, weeds, flowers, plants, bark and wood shavings, and more.
What goes in the paper & card bin in Barnsley?
Barnsley's paper & card bin accepts paper - plain and coloured, dry cardboard, wrapping paper if it doesn't have glitter or foil, junk mail, catalogues and brochures, phone directories, and more.
What can't be recycled in Barnsley?
Items not accepted in Barnsley: plastic food bags or film (these can be recycled at some supermarkets), carrier bags, plastic toys, broken glass. Cardboard with food residue, such as pizza or takeaway boxes — food residue.
Helpful guides
Source: Barnsley council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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