Recycling rules for Fareham
Based on Fareham published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Under Simpler Recycling, councils across England are standardising collections. Here's what currently goes in each bin in Fareham.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Fareham
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. Fareham's published guidance we hold doesn't list it.
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Glass bottles and jars: Not accepted in Fareham's recycling bin
Glass shards ruin newspaper.
Food waste: Fareham has a separate food waste collection
Takes all uneaten food and plate scrapings, mouldy and out of date food (including ready meals), raw and cooked vegetable and fruit and more.
Shredded paper: Not accepted in Fareham's recycling bin
Clogs machinery at the sorting plant.
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Rinse.
Your bins in Fareham, by colour
Container colours as published by Fareham. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
Metals
- Aluminium cans · Blue top recycling bin
- Aerosols
- Cans · Rinse
- Food tins · Rinse
- Drink cans · Rinse
Paper & Card
- Cards
- Cardboard
- Catalogues
- Directories including Yellow Pages
- Paper envelopes
- Junk mail
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Paper
Plastics
- Plastic bottles
- Yoghurt drink bottles · Rinse
Not accepted
- Plastic bags · Sorting machinery can't open bags
- Shredded paper · Clogs machinery at the sorting plant
- Cartons · Not currently collected at the kerbsideInstead: Refuse bin
- Glass · Glass shards ruin newspaper
- Aluminium foil
- Crisp packets
- Disposable coffee cups
- Paint tins · Not suitable for the sorting process
- Confidential papers · Not a confidential collection
- Metal jar lids · They get into the newspapers
- Knives
- Wrapping paper · Often plastic-basedInstead: Refuse bin
- Coffee packaging and pods
Food Waste
Accepted
What's on the menu - food waste recycling at a glance, yes please:
- All uneaten food and plate scrapings
- Mouldy and out of date food (including ready meals)
- Raw and cooked vegetable and fruit · Whole and peelings
- Raw and cooked meat and fish (including bones)
- Dairy products, cheese and egg shells
- Bread, cakes and pastries
- Rice, pasta and beans
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Waste pet food
Not accepted
What's on the menu - food waste recycling at a glance, no thanks:
- Packaging of any kind
- Liquids such as milk, oil or liquid fat
- Nappies
- Clinical waste
- Cat litter, dog poo or other pet waste
- Garden waste and cut flowers
Garden Waste
Accepted
The following items can be placed in your garden waste bin::
- Grass cuttings
- Hedge clippings
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Small plants
- Fallen fruit
- Twigs
- Bark
- Small branches and prunings · Less than 75mm diameter
Not accepted
The following must not be placed in your garden waste bin::
- Food waste
- Soil
- Turf
- Compost
- Stones
- Gravel
- Plastic bags
- Treated timber
- Large branches (over 75mm diameter)
Items not to be put in your garden waste bin:
- Coal ash
- Concrete or rubble
- Plastic flower pots or trays
- Animal waste
Tips (4)
- • Waste must be placed loose inside the bin
- • Bin lids must remain fully closed
- • No side waste will be collected
- • Bins must be presented by 6am on the collection day
When are bins collected in Fareham?
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.
Fareham doesn't move bin collections for bank holidays, so your usual day stands. Christmas and New Year weeks can still differ, so check the council's site for those. Your neighbours can vote on the actual day on BinBosh if it changes.
In Fareham’s own words: “We collect your general waste and dry mixed recycling from the kerbside on alternate weeks, with food waste collected every week.”
No streets in Fareham 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 Fareham?
In Fareham, cardboard goes in your recycling bin.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in Fareham?
In Fareham, glass can't go in your recycling bin. Glass shards ruin newspaper.
What bin does food waste go in Fareham?
In Fareham, food waste goes in your food waste bin. It takes all uneaten food and plate scrapings, mouldy and out of date food (including ready meals), raw and cooked vegetable and fruit and more.
What bin does shredded paper go in Fareham?
In Fareham, shredded paper can't go in your recycling bin. Clogs machinery at the sorting plant.
What goes in the recycling bin in Fareham?
Fareham's recycling bin accepts aluminium cans, aerosols, cans, food tins, drink cans, cards, and more. Blue top recycling bin.
What goes in the food waste bin in Fareham?
Fareham's food waste bin accepts all uneaten food and plate scrapings, mouldy and out of date food (including ready meals), raw and cooked vegetable and fruit, raw and cooked meat and fish (including bones), dairy products, cheese and egg shells, bread, cakes and pastries, and more. Whole and peelings.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Fareham?
Fareham's garden waste bin accepts grass cuttings, hedge clippings, leaves, flowers, small plants, fallen fruit, and more.
What can't be recycled in Fareham?
Items not accepted in Fareham: plastic bags, shredded paper, cartons, glass. Plastic bags — sorting machinery can't open bags.
Helpful guides
Source: Fareham council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
Work for Fareham? See how BinBosh helps councils →
Never guess which bin
Get free reminders the night before your bins go out.