Recycling rules for Hertsmere
Based on Hertsmere published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Under Simpler Recycling, councils across England are standardising collections. Here's what currently goes in each bin in Hertsmere.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Hertsmere
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. Hertsmere's published guidance we hold doesn't list it.
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Cut up larger items to fit.
Glass bottles and jars: Goes in your recycling bin
Brown bin.
Food waste: Hertsmere has a separate food waste collection
Takes coffee grounds, raw or cooked food, leftovers, fruit and vegetable peelings and more.
Shredded paper: Goes in your recycling bin
Wrap in newspaper or envelope.
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Clean and empty.
Your bins in Hertsmere, by colour
Container colours as published by Hertsmere. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Black bin
Non-recyclable waste
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
Metals
- Aerosol cans · Empty
- Food tins and drinks cans · Clean and empty
- Foil and foil containers · Clean; remove all food residue
Paper & Card
- Plain greetings cards
- Cardboard · Cut up larger items to fit
- Brown paper and brown envelopes
- Envelopes · including plastic windows
- Cardboard tubes
- White paper, brown paper, newspaper, envelopes and magazines
- Shredded paper · Wrap in newspaper or envelope
Glass
- Glass bottles and jars · Brown bin
- Glass coffee jars
- Glass jars
Plastics
- Plastic bottles
- Plastic butter/margarine tubs
- Plastic fruit punnets
- Plastic and foil takeaway containers
- Toothpaste tubes and pumps
- Yoghurt pots · Empty and clean
Other
- Food and drink cartons · Wash out
- Plastic or cardboard egg boxes
Not accepted
- Bubble wrap · Can't be recycledInstead: Black bin
- Soft plastics and carrier bags
- Single-use/disposable coffee cups
- Coat hangers
- Mirrors · Different type of glass
- Pyrex · Treated glass cannot be recycled
- Paint containersInstead: Recycling Centre
- Clothing and textiles
- Greasy pizza boxes · Food residueInstead: Black bin
- Batteries · High risk of fire
- Gas cylinders
Food Waste
Accepted
- Coffee grounds
- Raw or cooked food, leftovers
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Meat
- Tea bags
Not accepted
Please do not put any of the following in your food waste bin::
- Packaging · Except plastic bags used as liners
- Liquids such as milk
- Oil or liquid fat
- Any material that is not food waste
Tips (3)
- • The only thing you can't use is a black bag
- • If you don't want to use a liner at all you don't have to
- • Plastic bags are OK
Garden Waste
Accepted
What to put in your green bin:
- Grass and hedge cuttings
- Small tree prunings, twigs and bark
- Tree branches · Up to 6 inches in diameter
- Plants · Excess soil removed
- Moss, weeds · excluding controlled weeds such as Japanese Knotweed
- Real Christmas trees · Cut up
- Flowers
- Leaves
Not accepted
Items to keep out of your green bin:
- Food waste
- Paper (including paper towels, tissues, cotton wool, make-up pads and wet wipes)
- Cardboard
- Brown paper/envelopes/shredded paper
- Treated wood
- Soil/turf
- Dog poo or cat litter
- Plastic packaging
- Compostable packaging
When are bins collected in Hertsmere?
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.
In Hertsmere, a bank holiday pushes that week's collections back by a day: after a Monday holiday, Monday's bins go out on Tuesday, Tuesday's on Wednesday, and so on. BinBosh adjusts your dates automatically, and your neighbours can vote on the actual day if it differs.
In Hertsmere’s own words: “Bins are collected over a two-week period, on the same day each week.”
No streets in Hertsmere 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 Hertsmere?
In Hertsmere, cardboard goes in your recycling bin. Cut up larger items to fit.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in Hertsmere?
In Hertsmere, glass bottles and jars go in your recycling bin. Brown bin.
What bin does food waste go in Hertsmere?
In Hertsmere, food waste goes in your food waste bin. It takes coffee grounds, raw or cooked food, leftovers, fruit and vegetable peelings and more.
What bin does shredded paper go in Hertsmere?
In Hertsmere, shredded paper goes in your recycling bin. Wrap in newspaper or envelope.
What goes in the recycling bin in Hertsmere?
Hertsmere's recycling bin accepts aerosol cans, food tins and drinks cans, foil and foil containers, plain greetings cards, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, and more. Empty.
What goes in the food waste bin in Hertsmere?
Hertsmere's food waste bin accepts coffee grounds, raw or cooked food, leftovers, fruit and vegetable peelings, meat, tea bags, and more.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Hertsmere?
Hertsmere's garden waste bin accepts grass and hedge cuttings, small tree prunings, twigs and bark, tree branches, plants, moss, weeds, real christmas trees, and more. Up to 6 inches in diameter.
What can't be recycled in Hertsmere?
Items not accepted in Hertsmere: bubble wrap, soft plastics and carrier bags, single-use/disposable coffee cups, coat hangers. Bubble wrap — can't be recycled.
Helpful guides
Source: Hertsmere council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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