Recycling rules for West Lothian
Based on West Lothian published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Here's what currently goes in each bin in West Lothian.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for West Lothian
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. West Lothian's published guidance we hold doesn't list it.
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Blue bin.
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Green bin.
Drink cartons: Goes in your recycling bin
Green bin.
Your bins in West Lothian, by colour
Container colours as published by West Lothian. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Brown bin
Food and garden waste
Availability: Garden waste needs a paid permit
Garden waste needs a permit
Grey bin
Materials which cannot be recycled
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
Plastics
- Plastic bottles, tubs and trays · Green bin
Other
- Cartons · Green bin
Metals
- Metal cans · Green bin
Paper & Card
- Paper · Blue bin
- Card and cardboard · Blue bin
Not accepted
- Items in black bin bags or bin liners
Garden Waste
Accepted
Once you have a garden waste permit, these items can also go in your brown bin:
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves and twigs
- Branches and twigs · Small enough to fit with lid closed
- Hedge clippings
- Plants
Not accepted
Do not put these items in your brown bin:
- Rubble and soil
- Pet waste and bedding
- Plant pots
- Wood and fencing
- Timber or logs
- Garden furniture
- Stones, gravel, or concrete (including DIY waste, such as plasterboard)
Common mistakes
- Plastic plant pots and trays→ goes in General Waste
We don't have checked food waste guidance for West Lothian yet.
See West Lothian's own guidanceWhen are bins collected in West Lothian?
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 West Lothian’s own words: “West Lothian residents should put out their bins on their usual collection dates over the Easter weekend. Resources will be prioritised to collect grey and brown bins on the bank holiday days, with green and blue bins possibly delayed.” See the council’s page →
In West Lothian’s own words: “Your grey bin can be used for materials which cannot be recycled and will be collected every 2 weeks.”
No streets in West Lothian 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 West Lothian?
In West Lothian, card and cardboard goes in your recycling bin. Blue bin.
What bin do tins and cans go in West Lothian?
In West Lothian, metal cans go in your recycling bin. Green bin.
What bin do drink cartons go in West Lothian?
In West Lothian, cartons go in your recycling bin. Green bin.
What goes in the recycling bin in West Lothian?
West Lothian's recycling bin accepts plastic bottles, tubs and trays, cartons, metal cans, paper, card and cardboard, and more. Green bin.
What goes in the garden waste bin in West Lothian?
West Lothian's garden waste bin accepts grass cuttings, leaves and twigs, branches and twigs, hedge clippings, plants, and more. Small enough to fit with lid closed.
What can't be recycled in West Lothian?
Items not accepted in West Lothian: items in black bin bags or bin liners, rubble and soil, pet waste and bedding, plant pots.
What bin do plastic plant pots and trays go in West Lothian?
In West Lothian, plastic plant pots and trays go in your general waste bin.
What bin do items in black bin bags or bin liners go in West Lothian?
In West Lothian, items in black bin bags or bin liners can't go in your recycling bin.
Helpful guides
Source: West Lothian council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
Work for West Lothian? See how BinBosh helps councils →
Never guess which bin
Get free reminders the night before your bins go out.