Recycling rules for Forest of Dean
Based on Forest of Dean published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Under Simpler Recycling, councils across England are standardising collections. Here's what currently goes in each bin in Forest of Dean.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Forest of Dean
Polystyrene: Not accepted in Forest of Dean's recycling bin
Glass bottles and jars: Goes in your recycling bin
Food waste: Forest of Dean has a separate food waste collection
Takes fish, meat and bones (raw or cooked), fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags and coffee grounds and more.
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Green box one.
Aerosols: Goes in your recycling bin
Green box one.
Drink cartons: Not accepted in Forest of Dean's recycling bin
Your bins in Forest of Dean, by colour
Container colours as published by Forest of Dean. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
In one green box you can recycle::
- Plastic pots, tubs, trays and punnets · Green box one
- Tins and cans · Green box one
- Empty aerosols · Green box one
- Metal lids · Green box one
- Aluminium foil or containers · Green box one; must be clean
- Glass bottles and jars
Not accepted
Recycling: Green boxes and blue bag, we cannot collect and recycle the following::
- Black plastics
- Soft plastics / plastic film
- Cartons (such as Tetra Pak)
- Hard plastics
Recycling: Green boxes and blue bag, we cannot collect:
- Polystyrene
Food Waste
Accepted
You can put the following in your food waste caddy::
- Fish, meat and bones (raw or cooked)
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Bread and pastries
- Rice and pasta
- Plate scrapings and lunchbox leftovers
Not accepted
Do not put any of these items in your food waste bin::
- Packaging, pots, punnets or plastic film
- Garden waste
- Animal bedding and litter
Garden Waste
Accepted
Put all compostable garden waste (not in bags) in your bin, including::
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves, bark and tree pruning
- Cut flowers
- Plants and weeds
- Cold wood ash
Not accepted
Please do not put the following materials into your garden waste bin::
- Bricks, stones or soil
- Turf
- Plastic bags, pots or seed trays
- Food waste
When are bins collected in Forest of Dean?
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 Forest of Dean 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 Forest of Dean?
In Forest of Dean, polystyrene can't go in your recycling bin.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in Forest of Dean?
In Forest of Dean, glass bottles and jars go in your recycling bin.
What bin does food waste go in Forest of Dean?
In Forest of Dean, food waste goes in your food waste bin. It takes fish, meat and bones (raw or cooked), fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags and coffee grounds and more.
What bin do tins and cans go in Forest of Dean?
In Forest of Dean, tins and cans go in your recycling bin. Green box one.
What goes in the recycling bin in Forest of Dean?
Forest of Dean's recycling bin accepts plastic pots, tubs, trays and punnets, tins and cans, empty aerosols, metal lids, aluminium foil or containers, glass bottles and jars, and more. Green box one.
What goes in the food waste bin in Forest of Dean?
Forest of Dean's food waste bin accepts fish, meat and bones (raw or cooked), fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags and coffee grounds, bread and pastries, rice and pasta, plate scrapings and lunchbox leftovers, and more.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Forest of Dean?
Forest of Dean's garden waste bin accepts grass cuttings, leaves, bark and tree pruning, cut flowers, plants and weeds, cold wood ash, and more.
What can't be recycled in Forest of Dean?
Items not accepted in Forest of Dean: black plastics, soft plastics / plastic film, cartons (such as tetra pak), hard plastics.
Helpful guides
Source: Forest of Dean council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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