Recycling rules for Midlothian
Based on Midlothian published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Here's what currently goes in each bin in Midlothian.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Midlothian
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. Midlothian's published guidance we hold doesn't list it.
Cardboard: Goes in your paper & card bin
Green bin.
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Blue bin; includes large metal tins.
Aerosols: Goes in your recycling bin
Blue bin.
Drink cartons: Not accepted in Midlothian's paper & card bin
Blue bin.
Your bins in Midlothian, by colour
Container colours as published by Midlothian. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Brown bin
Garden waste
Red bin
Glass bottles and jars
Availability: communal bins
Red lidded communal bin
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
Recycling - Blue bin, yes:
- Plastic food and drink packaging · Blue bin
- Plastic bottles, plus lids · Blue bin
- Plastic tubs, pots, trays and punnets · Blue bin
- Aerosol cans · Blue bin
- Cartons e.g. milk and juice Tetra Pak · Blue bin
- Foil and foil trays and containers · Blue bin
- Food tins and drink cans · Blue bin; includes large metal tins
Not accepted
Should go in your green bin:
- Paper, card or cardboardInstead: Green bin
Should go in your grey bin:
- Soft plasticInstead: Grey bin or supermarket collection
- Hard plasticInstead: Grey bin
- Toothpaste tubesInstead: Grey bin
- Food contaminated packagingInstead: Grey bin
- General household rubbishInstead: Grey bin
- NappiesInstead: Grey bin
Paper & Card
Accepted
Recycling - Green bin, yes:
- Newspapers · Green bin
- Magazines · Green bin
- Office paper · Green bin
- Telephone directories · Green bin
- Brochures and catalogues · Green bin
- Leaflets · Green bin
- Envelopes (including window envelopes) · Green bin
- Cereal boxes · Green bin
- Cardboard packaging · Green bin
- Large brown cardboard boxes · Once flattened
- Cardboard tubes · Green bin
Not accepted
Should go in your grey bin:
- Food contaminated packaging such as pizza boxesInstead: Grey bin
- Padded envelopesInstead: Grey bin
- Disposable coffee cupsInstead: Grey bin
- Used tissues or kitchen towelInstead: Grey bin
Should go in your blue bin:
- CartonsInstead: Blue bin
We don't have checked food waste guidance for Midlothian yet.
See Midlothian's own guidanceWe don't have checked garden waste guidance for Midlothian yet.
See Midlothian's own guidanceWe don't have checked glass guidance for Midlothian yet.
See Midlothian's own guidanceWhen are bins collected in Midlothian?
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 Midlothian’s own words: “These are emptied every 3 weeks on the dates shown in your collection calendar.”
No streets in Midlothian 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 Midlothian?
In Midlothian, cereal boxes go in your paper & card bin. Green bin.
What bin do tins and cans go in Midlothian?
In Midlothian, food tins and drink cans go in your recycling bin. Blue bin; includes large metal tins.
What bin do aerosols go in Midlothian?
In Midlothian, aerosol cans go in your recycling bin. Blue bin.
What bin do drink cartons go in Midlothian?
In Midlothian, cartons can't go in your paper & card bin. Blue bin.
What goes in the recycling bin in Midlothian?
Midlothian's recycling bin accepts plastic food and drink packaging, plastic bottles, plus lids, plastic tubs, pots, trays and punnets, food tins and drink cans, aerosol cans, cartons e.g. milk and juice tetra pak, and more. Blue bin.
What goes in the paper & card bin in Midlothian?
Midlothian's paper & card bin accepts newspapers, magazines, office paper, telephone directories, brochures and catalogues, leaflets, and more. Green bin.
What can't be recycled in Midlothian?
Items not accepted in Midlothian: paper, card or cardboard, soft plastic, hard plastic, toothpaste tubes.
What bin does paper, card or cardboard go in Midlothian?
In Midlothian, paper, card or cardboard can't go in your recycling bin. Green bin.
Helpful guides
Source: Midlothian council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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