Recycling rules for Scottish Borders
Based on Scottish Borders published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Here's what currently goes in each bin in Scottish Borders.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Scottish Borders
Polystyrene: Not accepted in Scottish Borders's recycling bin
Cannot be recycled at the present time. General waste bin.
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Cereal boxes, roll tubes, ready meal sleeves.
Glass bottles and jars: Not accepted in Scottish Borders's recycling bin
Nearest recycling point.
Food waste: Scottish Borders has a separate food waste collection
Takes dairy, meat and bones, fruit and more.
Aerosols: Goes in your recycling bin
Your bins in Scottish Borders, by colour
Container colours as published by Scottish Borders. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Grey bin
General waste
Grey lid
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
The items you can recycle in your recycling bin or bags are:
- Aerosol cans
- Aluminium foil and foil trays · Clean and food free
- Cardboard packaging · Cereal boxes, roll tubes, ready meal sleeves
- Food and drinks cans
- Food and drinks cartons · Fresh juice cartons, milk cartons
- Paper · Catalogues, magazines, newspapers, envelopes
- Plastic bottles (all types) · Wash and put lid back on
- Plastic tubs · Margarine tubs, yogurt pots, fruit tubs
- Plastic bags and wrappers · Carrier bags (no black bags), cling film, bubble wrap
Not accepted
The following items can't be recycled in your kerbside bin or bags:
- Glass bottles and jarsInstead: Nearest recycling point
- Clothing and shoesInstead: Nearest textile bank
- Polystyrene · Cannot be recycled at the present timeInstead: General waste bin
- Garden wasteInstead: Community Recycling Centre or compost at home
Common mistakes
- Paint · Take to a Community Recycling Centre
Food Waste
Accepted
The food waste service can take all cooked and uncooked food waste:
- Dairy
- Meat and bones
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Bread
- Rice and pasta
- Fish
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Egg shells
Not accepted
What can't go in your food bin:
- Liquids
- Oils
- General waste
- Nappies
We don't have checked garden waste guidance for Scottish Borders yet.
See Scottish Borders's own guidanceWhen are bins collected in Scottish Borders?
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 Scottish Borders’s own words: “Collections may change due to public holidays at Christmas and New Year. Details of any changes will be provided in advance. There will be no changes to collections on other public holidays throughout the year.” See the council’s page →
In Scottish Borders’s own words: “Recycling bins have a blue lid and are collected every 2 weeks from all households.”
No streets in Scottish Borders 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 Scottish Borders?
In Scottish Borders, polystyrene can't go in your recycling bin. Cannot be recycled at the present time. General waste bin.
What bin does cardboard go in Scottish Borders?
In Scottish Borders, cardboard packaging goes in your recycling bin. Cereal boxes, roll tubes, ready meal sleeves.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in Scottish Borders?
In Scottish Borders, glass bottles and jars can't go in your recycling bin. Nearest recycling point.
What bin does food waste go in Scottish Borders?
In Scottish Borders, food waste goes in your food waste bin. It takes dairy, meat and bones, fruit and more.
What bin do aerosols go in Scottish Borders?
In Scottish Borders, aerosol cans go in your recycling bin.
What goes in the recycling bin in Scottish Borders?
Scottish Borders's recycling bin accepts aerosol cans, aluminium foil and foil trays, cardboard packaging, food and drinks cans, food and drinks cartons, paper, and more. Clean and food free.
What goes in the food waste bin in Scottish Borders?
Scottish Borders's food waste bin accepts dairy, meat and bones, fruit, vegetables, bread, rice and pasta, and more.
What can't be recycled in Scottish Borders?
Items not accepted in Scottish Borders: glass bottles and jars, clothing and shoes, polystyrene, garden waste. Polystyrene — cannot be recycled at the present time.
Helpful guides
Source: Scottish Borders council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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