Recycling rules for Canterbury
Based on Canterbury published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Under Simpler Recycling, councils across England are standardising collections. Here's what currently goes in each bin in Canterbury.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Canterbury
Polystyrene: Not accepted in Canterbury's paper & card bin
Cardboard: Goes in your paper & card bin
Glass bottles and jars: Goes in your recycling bin
Food waste: Canterbury has a separate food waste collection
Takes eggs and eggshells, fruit and vegetable peelings, leftovers and scraps and more.
Aerosols: Goes in your recycling bin
Drink cartons: Goes in your recycling bin
Your bins in Canterbury, by colour
Container colours as published by Canterbury. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Black bin
Most waste that doesn't go in recycling
Purple sacks also used
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
What goes in blue bins and boxes, yes please:
- Aerosols
- Aluminium trays and foils
- Cans and tins
- Glass bottles and jars
- Clear or coloured plastic bottles
- Fruit tubs and punnets
- Plastic tubs including lids
- Yoghurt pots
- Cartons and Tetra Paks
Not accepted
What goes in blue bins and boxes, no thanks:
- Black plastic trays
- Bubble wrap or polystyrene
- Hard plastics like toys or coat hangers
- Crisps or sweet packets
- Disposable coffee cups
- Nappies
- Plastic bags
- Cling film
Food Waste
Accepted
What goes in food bins, yes please:
- Eggs and eggshells
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Leftovers and scraps
- Meat, fish, and bones
- Uneaten food
Not accepted
What goes in food bins, no thanks:
- Compostable cups or plates
- Liquids and oils
- Packaging and plastic bags
- Non-food waste
Garden Waste
Accepted
What goes in green bins, yes please:
- Branches (no more than 6cm thick)
- Flowers and plants
- Grass, leaves, and weeds
- Hedge clippings
- Tree bark and twigs
Not accepted
What goes in green bins, no thanks:
- Animal and pet waste
- Peelings and food waste
- Invasive weeds like ragwort
- Soil and rubble
Paper & Card
Accepted
What goes in red bins or boxes, yes please:
- Card and cardboard boxes
- Egg cartons
- Envelopes
- Newspapers
- Magazines and leaflets
- Plain card and paper
- Toilet roll tubes
- Wrapping paper (no coating)
Not accepted
What goes in red bins or boxes, no thanks:
- Cartons and Tetra Paks
- Disposable coffee cups
- Plastic wrapping
- Polystyrene
- Shiny and coated paper
- Soiled cardboard
- Tissue paper
- Used tissues
When are bins collected in Canterbury?
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 Canterbury 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 polystyrene go in Canterbury?
In Canterbury, polystyrene can't go in your paper & card bin.
What bin does cardboard go in Canterbury?
In Canterbury, card and cardboard boxes go in your paper & card bin.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in Canterbury?
In Canterbury, glass bottles and jars go in your recycling bin.
What goes in the recycling bin in Canterbury?
Canterbury's recycling bin accepts aerosols, aluminium trays and foils, cans and tins, glass bottles and jars, clear or coloured plastic bottles, fruit tubs and punnets, and more.
What goes in the food waste bin in Canterbury?
Canterbury's food waste bin accepts eggs and eggshells, fruit and vegetable peelings, leftovers and scraps, meat, fish, and bones, uneaten food, and more.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Canterbury?
Canterbury's garden waste bin accepts branches (no more than 6cm thick), flowers and plants, grass, leaves, and weeds, hedge clippings, tree bark and twigs, and more.
What goes in the paper & card bin in Canterbury?
Canterbury's paper & card bin accepts card and cardboard boxes, egg cartons, envelopes, newspapers, magazines and leaflets, plain card and paper, and more.
What can't be recycled in Canterbury?
Items not accepted in Canterbury: black plastic trays, bubble wrap or polystyrene, hard plastics like toys or coat hangers, crisps or sweet packets.
Helpful guides
Source: Canterbury council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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