What goes in your containers
Blue recycling container
Our service is fully co-mingled, meaning that paper, cardboard, plastics, cans and glass can go in one container.
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Items we collect
- Uneaten food and plate scrapings
- Raw/cooked meat and fish (including bones)
- Fruit and vegetables (raw, cooked and peelings)
- Baked goods (bread, cakes and pastries)
- Out of date or mouldy food
- Rice, pasta, beans
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Dairy products, such as cheese
- Eggs and egg shells
- Solid fats and oils (no liquids).
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Items we can't collect
- Packaging - (such as cellophane, polystyrene, nets, pots, tubs, trays or jars). Soft plastic bags can be used as caddy liners
- Flowers and house plants
- Liquids - for example, milk, fats and oils.
How to keep your container and caddy free from smells and pests
Avoiding smells
- Use a liner
- Clean your brown-lidded container and kerbside caddy regularly.
Preventing flies and maggots
- Keep the lid on your brown-lidded container and kerbside caddy closed
- Seal liners tightly before putting them in your container or kerbside caddy
- Clean your container and kerbside caddy regularly, especially in hot weather.
Yellow container
Your yellow container is for all other non-recyclable business waste. That means:
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No recyclables
Recyclable materials should go in your blue recycling container.
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No food waste
All food waste should either go into your brown-lidded food waste container or kerbside caddy.
If you put food waste into your yellow container, it will break down in landfill creating methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.
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No clothes or textiles
Textiles must not be put in your yellow commercial waste container. Find out more about clothes and textiles.
You must hire a licensed waste carrier to collect clothing and textiles for recycling or disposal.
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No electricals
Working electrical items - Donate to a local charity or community group.
Broken electrical items - Must be collected by a licensed waste carrier.
Do not put electricals in your grey bin. Toxic chemicals, such as mercury and lead, can leak into the soil and water, harming people and wildlife living nearby.
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No construction waste
Do not use the yellow commercial waste container for construction waste or rubble.
You must hire a licensed waste carrier to collect construction waste for recycling or disposal.
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No Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
POPs are harmful chemicals that break down slowly and can contaminate the environment.
The following items of upholstered domestic seating are classed as containing POPs:
- Sofas
- Office chairs
- Armchairs
- Kitchen and dining room chairs
- Stools and foot stools
- Futons
- Bean bags, floor and sofa cushions
- This includes any part made of/or containing leather, synthetic leather, other fabric, or foam.
You must not put these items in your yellow waste container.
If POPs are found in your container we will not collect it. You will need to remove these items before your next collection.
You must use a licensed waste carrier to dispose of POPs safely.
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No hazardous waste
Waste is hazardous if it (or the substances in it), can harm people or the environment.
Examples of hazardous waste:
- Asbestos
- Chemicals - such as brake fluid, print toner, pesticides, solvents
- Batteries and battery acid
- Oils - non-edible ones such as car oil
- Equipment with ozone-depleting substances - such as old refrigerators
- Used fluorescent tubes
- Clinical waste - for example, from hospitals
- Paint and thinners
You must hire a licensed waste carrier to collect hazardous waste.
Contamination
If your container contains the wrong items, we won’t empty it. Our crew will leave a note and record the issue. You must remove the items before your next scheduled collection. We will not return to empty contaminated containers.
Help prevent fly-tipping
You should only use a licensed waste carrier to dispose of waste.
Protect yourself against rogue waste collectors by following the SCRAP code:
- Suspect all waste carriers - ask for proof they are legitimate. A professional waste carrier should be happy to answer reasonable questions.
- Check their waste carrier’s registration details on the Environment Agency website. Note their vehicle details.
- Refuse unexpected offers to take your rubbish away. Report anyone you suspect of illegally disposing of waste to the Environment Agency.
- Ask what is going to happen to your rubbish and request evidence of proper disposal.
- Paperwork - always get an invoice, waste transfer note or receipt. This should give a description of the waste and provide the waste carrier’s contact details.
Find out more about the SCRAP code and fly-tipping.
Contact us
For any questions about commercial waste services:
Email: commercial.waste@dacorum.gov.uk
Page Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 March 2025 at 04:21 PM