Recycling rules for West Lancashire
Based on West Lancashire published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Under Simpler Recycling, councils across England are standardising collections. Here's what currently goes in each bin in West Lancashire.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for West Lancashire
Polystyrene: Not accepted in West Lancashire's recycling bin
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Green bin.
Glass bottles and jars: Goes in your recycling bin
Blue bin.
Food waste: West Lancashire has a separate food waste collection
Takes all uneaten and out of date food, plate scrapings, eggs and more.
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Blue bin.
Aerosols: Goes in your recycling bin
Blue bin.
Your bins in West Lancashire, by colour
Container colours as published by West Lancashire. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Green bin
Paper and cardboard
Grey bin
Household waste that cannot be recycled
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
Plastics, glass & metals (Blue bin):
- Plastic bottles · Blue bin
- Plastic pots, tubs and trays · Blue bin
- Glass bottles · Blue bin
- Glass jars · Blue bin
- Tin cans · Blue bin
- Clean foil · Blue bin
- Aerosols · Blue bin
- Toothpaste tubes · Blue bin
- Food and drink cartons · Blue bin
Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays – The following items can be recycled in your blue recycling wheelie bin::
- Plastic yoghurt pots · Rinse and remove foil lids
- Takeaway food containers (plastic and foil) · Blue bin
- Cardboard egg boxes · Green bin
Not accepted
- Plastic bags · Contaminate the recycling bin
Plastics – The following items cannot be recycled in your blue recycling wheelie bin::
- Carrier bags
- Polystyrene packaging
- Clingfilm
- Black plastic plant pots
- Bubble wrap
- Crisp packets and sweet bags
- Pill trays with foil
- Buckets
- Frozen food bags
- Food sachets
Common mistakes
- Nappies→ goes in General Waste · They cannot be recycled
Food Waste
Accepted
Food Waste (Food Waste Caddy):
- All uneaten and out of date food
- Plate scrapings
- Eggs
- Dairy products · No milk
- Raw meat, cooked meat, bones
- Bread, cake & pastries
- Rice, pasta, beans
- Fruit and vegetables
- Cooked and raw fish · Including bones
- Coffee grounds and tea bags
Not accepted
Food Waste Collection Services, please do not put any of these materials in your caddy::
- Packaging of any kind
- Liquids such as milk
- Oil or liquid fat
- Animal waste
- Flowers or garden wasteInstead: Garden waste subscription
Garden Waste
Accepted
Please only recycle the following items in your brown bin::
- Leaves
- Weeds
- Grass cuttings
- Twigs and small branches
- Cut flowers
- Hedge clippings
Not accepted
Please do not put any of these items into your brown bin::
- Food wasteInstead: Food Waste Caddies
- Plastic
- Turf
- Stones and rubble
- Soil (including from around roots)
When are bins collected in West Lancashire?
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 West Lancashire 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 West Lancashire?
In West Lancashire, polystyrene packaging can't go in your recycling bin.
What bin does cardboard go in West Lancashire?
In West Lancashire, cardboard egg boxes go in your recycling bin. Green bin.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in West Lancashire?
In West Lancashire, glass bottles go in your recycling bin. Blue bin.
What bin does food waste go in West Lancashire?
In West Lancashire, food waste goes in your food waste bin. It takes all uneaten and out of date food, plate scrapings, eggs and more.
What goes in the recycling bin in West Lancashire?
West Lancashire's recycling bin accepts plastic bottles, plastic pots, tubs and trays, glass bottles, glass jars, tin cans, clean foil, and more. Blue bin.
What goes in the food waste bin in West Lancashire?
West Lancashire's food waste bin accepts all uneaten and out of date food, plate scrapings, eggs, dairy products, raw meat, cooked meat, bones, bread, cake & pastries, and more. No milk.
What goes in the garden waste bin in West Lancashire?
West Lancashire's garden waste bin accepts leaves, weeds, grass cuttings, twigs and small branches, cut flowers, hedge clippings, and more.
What can't be recycled in West Lancashire?
Items not accepted in West Lancashire: plastic bags, carrier bags, polystyrene packaging, clingfilm. Plastic bags — contaminate the recycling bin.
Helpful guides
Source: West Lancashire council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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