Recycling rules for Cornwall
Based on Cornwall published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Under Simpler Recycling, councils across England are standardising collections. Here's what currently goes in each bin in Cornwall.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Cornwall
Polystyrene: Not accepted in Cornwall's recycling bin
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Orange bag.
Glass bottles and jars: Goes in your recycling bin
Black box.
Food waste: Cornwall has a separate food waste collection
Takes uneaten food and plate scrapings, dairy products, eggs, eggshells, bread, cakes, pastries and more.
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Red bag.
Clothes: Goes in your recycling bin
Black box.
Your bins in Cornwall, by colour
Container colours as published by Cornwall. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
Red bag for plastic, cartons and metal packaging:
- Drinks cans · Red bag
- Food tins · Red bag
- Aerosols · Red bag
- Aluminium foil · Red bag
- Plastic bottles · Red bag
- Plastic pots and tubs · Red bag
- Plastic trays · Red bag
- Cartons · Red bag
Orange bag for cardboard:
- Brown and white cardboard and card · Orange bag
- Greetings cards · Orange bag
Blue bag for paper:
- Newspapers · Blue bag
- Magazines · Blue bag
- Junk mail · Blue bag
Black box for glass and textiles:
- Wine and beer bottles · Black box
- Jam jars · Black box
- Clean and dry clothes and shoes · Black box
Not accepted
Find out what goes in each recycling container, no thank you:
- Polystyrene
- Black plastic
- Plastic toys
- Broken glass
- Pyrex or cookware
- Paper towels
Food Waste
Accepted
Food waste caddies, yes please::
- Uneaten food and plate scrapings
- Uneaten pet food
What goes in your food waste caddy, yes please::
- Dairy products, eggs, eggshells
- Bread, cakes, pastries
- Raw and cooked meat, bones
- Rice, pasta, beans
Not accepted
Food waste, no thank you::
- Garden waste and flowers
- Compostable takeaway cups, plates and bowls
Garden Waste
Accepted
Garden waste collections, yes please:
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves
- Tree, shrub and rose prunings
- Cut flowers
- Weeds
Not accepted
Garden waste collections, no thanks:
- Plant pots
- Compostable bags
When are bins collected in Cornwall?
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 →
In Cornwall’s own words: “In Cornwall we collect your food waste weekly and your recycling and household rubbish fortnightly (on alternating weeks).”
No streets in Cornwall 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 Cornwall?
In Cornwall, polystyrene can't go in your recycling bin.
What bin does cardboard go in Cornwall?
In Cornwall, brown and white cardboard and card goes in your recycling bin. Orange bag.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in Cornwall?
In Cornwall, jam jars go in your recycling bin. Black box.
What bin does food waste go in Cornwall?
In Cornwall, food waste goes in your food waste bin. It takes uneaten food and plate scrapings, dairy products, eggs, eggshells, bread, cakes, pastries and more.
What goes in the recycling bin in Cornwall?
Cornwall's recycling bin accepts drinks cans, food tins, aerosols, aluminium foil, plastic bottles, plastic pots and tubs, and more. Red bag.
What goes in the food waste bin in Cornwall?
Cornwall's food waste bin accepts uneaten food and plate scrapings, dairy products, eggs, eggshells, bread, cakes, pastries, raw and cooked meat, bones, rice, pasta, beans, uneaten pet food, and more.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Cornwall?
Cornwall's garden waste bin accepts grass cuttings, leaves, tree, shrub and rose prunings, cut flowers, weeds, and more.
What can't be recycled in Cornwall?
Items not accepted in Cornwall: polystyrene, black plastic, plastic toys, broken glass.
Helpful guides
Source: Cornwall council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
Work for Cornwall? See how BinBosh helps councils →
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