Recycling rules for Test Valley
Based on Test Valley published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Under Simpler Recycling, councils across England are standardising collections. Here's what currently goes in each bin in Test Valley.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Test Valley
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. Test Valley's published guidance we hold doesn't list it.
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Glass bottles and jars: Not accepted in Test Valley's recycling bin
Local Recycling Centre.
Food waste: Not accepted in Test Valley's garden waste bin
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Clothes: Not accepted in Test Valley's recycling bin
Local Recycling Centre.
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
You can put the following items in your brown recycling bin:
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Plastic bottles
- Tins and cans
- Aerosol cans
Not accepted
- Gift wrap
You can take the following items to your Local Recycling Centre:
- Glass bottles and jarsInstead: Local Recycling Centre
- TextilesInstead: Local Recycling Centre
- Aluminium foilInstead: Local Recycling Centre
- CartonsInstead: Local Recycling Centre
- Books and mediaInstead: Local Recycling Centre
Garden Waste
Accepted
Garden waste collection service, YES:
- Grass cuttings
- Hedge cuttings
- Weeds
- Small branches
- Leaves
- Prunings
Not accepted
Garden waste collection service, NO:
- Soil / Concrete / Rubble
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Food scraps
- Coal ash
- Animal waste (including bedding)
- Large branches / logs
We don't have checked food waste guidance for Test Valley yet.
See Test Valley's own guidanceWhen are bins collected in Test Valley?
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 Test Valley, 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 Test Valley’s own words: “The collection of household waste and recycling takes place on alternate weeks.”
No streets in Test Valley 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 Test Valley?
In Test Valley, cardboard goes in your recycling bin.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in Test Valley?
In Test Valley, glass bottles and jars can't go in your recycling bin. Local Recycling Centre.
What bin does food waste go in Test Valley?
In Test Valley, food scraps can't go in your garden waste bin.
What bin do tins and cans go in Test Valley?
In Test Valley, tins and cans go in your recycling bin.
What bin do clothes go in Test Valley?
In Test Valley, textiles can't go in your recycling bin. Local Recycling Centre.
What goes in the recycling bin in Test Valley?
Test Valley's recycling bin accepts paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, tins and cans, aerosol cans, and more.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Test Valley?
Test Valley's garden waste bin accepts grass cuttings, hedge cuttings, weeds, small branches, leaves, prunings, and more.
What can't be recycled in Test Valley?
Items not accepted in Test Valley: gift wrap, glass bottles and jars, textiles, aluminium foil.
Helpful guides
Source: Test Valley council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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