Recycling rules for Epsom and Ewell
Based on Epsom and Ewell published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Under Simpler Recycling, councils across England are standardising collections. Here's what currently goes in each bin in Epsom and Ewell.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Epsom and Ewell
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. Epsom and Ewell's published guidance we hold doesn't list it.
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Any type, like boxes or packaging.
Glass bottles and jars: Not accepted in Epsom and Ewell's recycling bin
Smashes and devalues the rest of the contents.
Food waste: Not accepted in Epsom and Ewell's recycling bin
Ruins the rest of the recycling.
Shredded paper: Goes in your garden waste bin
Loose, not in plastic bags.
Clothes: Not accepted in Epsom and Ewell's recycling bin
May lead to the whole load being rejected.
Your bins in Epsom and Ewell, by colour
Container colours as published by Epsom and Ewell. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Black bin
Refuse
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
Your green recycling bin is ONLY for:
- Paper · Any colour, including envelopes with windows
- Cardboard · Any type, like boxes or packaging
- Cans and tins · Steel and aluminium; bottle/jar lids too
- Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays · Bottle lids on
- Cartons · Such as juice and plant milk cartons
- Foil and foil trays · Clean, scrunched no smaller than a tennis ball
- Non-black plastic plant pots · Clean and free of soil
- Squeezy metal and plastic tubes · Such as tomato puree and toothpaste tubes
- Shredded paper (small amounts) · In an envelope, paper bag or small box
Not accepted
- Glass · Smashes and devalues the rest of the contents
- Food · Ruins the rest of the recycling
- Textiles · May lead to the whole load being rejected
Your green recycling bin is ONLY for:
- Greasy pizza or food boxes
- Coffee cups
Garden Waste
Accepted
Garden waste recycling, please recycle:
- Grass cuttings
- Small twigs and branches
- Leaves or fallen fruit
- Prunings and clippings
- Flowers, plants and weeds
- Shredded paper · Loose, not in plastic bags
Not accepted
Garden waste recycling, please DON'T recycle:
- Branches thicker than your wrist
- Plant pots, trays, bags or any plastics
- Soil, stones or ashes
We don't have checked food waste guidance for Epsom and Ewell yet.
See Epsom and Ewell's own guidanceWe don't have checked glass guidance for Epsom and Ewell yet.
See Epsom and Ewell's own guidanceWhen are bins collected in Epsom and Ewell?
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.
Bank holidays, in Epsom and Ewell’s own words: “We work as normal on bank holiday Mondays and Good Friday.” See the council’s page →
In Epsom and Ewell’s own words: “Your green recycling bin, glass recycling box, textiles recycling and black refuse bin are collected weekly.”
No streets in Epsom and Ewell 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 Epsom and Ewell?
In Epsom and Ewell, cardboard goes in your recycling bin. Any type, like boxes or packaging.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in Epsom and Ewell?
In Epsom and Ewell, glass can't go in your recycling bin. Smashes and devalues the rest of the contents.
What bin does food waste go in Epsom and Ewell?
In Epsom and Ewell, food can't go in your recycling bin. Ruins the rest of the recycling.
What bin does shredded paper go in Epsom and Ewell?
In Epsom and Ewell, shredded paper goes in your garden waste bin. Loose, not in plastic bags.
What bin do clothes go in Epsom and Ewell?
In Epsom and Ewell, textiles can't go in your recycling bin. May lead to the whole load being rejected.
What goes in the recycling bin in Epsom and Ewell?
Epsom and Ewell's recycling bin accepts paper, cardboard, cans and tins, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, cartons, foil and foil trays, and more. Any colour, including envelopes with windows.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Epsom and Ewell?
Epsom and Ewell's garden waste bin accepts grass cuttings, small twigs and branches, leaves or fallen fruit, prunings and clippings, flowers, plants and weeds, shredded paper, and more. Loose, not in plastic bags.
What can't be recycled in Epsom and Ewell?
Items not accepted in Epsom and Ewell: glass, food, textiles, greasy pizza or food boxes. Glass — smashes and devalues the rest of the contents.
Helpful guides
Source: Epsom and Ewell council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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