Recycle more than your council collects
Unfortunately, councils can only accept certain items to be recycled, based on what can be recycled by contractors and what is practical when collecting waste at a large scale. However, there are many other ways you can recycle some items that can’t be collected. Doing so reduces the need to use up resources to create new products, which helps the environment.
Visit your local community recycling centre (CRC)
There are 14 CRCs across Surrey, all of which accept many items for recycling that can’t be recycled from home, such as furniture, appliances, large metal items and large electricals.
You can bank on it!
Across Surrey, there are 100 recycling banks, at which you can deposit items from clothes and textiles to lightbulbs and glass bottles.
Drop before you shop
Many shops now accept items returned to them for recycling that can’t be accepted by local councils. Most supermarkets accept soft plastics, shops that sell batteries accept returned batteries, some shops accept clothes, electricals, takeaway coffee cups – all sorts!
Niche, but nice!
There are some proper niche recycling schemes out there – but every bit helps! From bras to inflatables, spectacles and bottle corks, there’s something for everyone.
To find your nearest CRC, recycling bank and store that takes back material for recycling, visit our zero-waste map.
To find items that can be recycled using other recycling schemes, use the Surrey Recycles search tool.
Ask us a question
Ask us anything about waste including what to do with an item you’re not sure about.
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