Bins and recycling in Dorset
What goes in each of Dorset's bins, and where to take the things they don't collect. This page uses Dorset Council's own published information, checked 10 Oct 2026.
Recycle This is independent: it isn't run by Dorset Council. If anything here differs from Dorset Council's website, the council is right.
Your bins in Dorset
Recycling bin (black with green lid, or boxes)
Glass box (40 litre)
Rubbish bin (black, or blue sacks)
Battery bag (small red bag, or your own small clear bag)
Garden waste bin (black with brown lid, paid subscription)
Compostable garden waste sacks (for homes that can't have a bin)
Food waste bin (23 litre) and kitchen caddy (7 litre)
Flat with shared bins: Where flats can't have individual bins, the council aims to provide larger shared bins for each material: rubbish, mixed recycling, glass and food waste. The number and size are set after a site survey, so a block may have fewer or different bins. Dorset also says some communal properties have a shared food bin rather than the standard food waste bins.
Source: Dorset Council's website.
Bin days in Dorset
Check your collection day with Dorset Council's bin day lookup, or use Bin days on this site.
Get the app
Snap a photo instead of typing, and get a reminder the evening before bin day.
Garden waste and bulky items
Garden waste collection: £74 a year. 2026/27 prices depend on the month you start: April £74 (25 collections), May £69.50, June £67, July £64, August £58.50, September £53.50, October £49.50, November £47 and December £45 (8 collections); the page gives no 2027 prices. (source)
Book through Dorset Reclaim, an external site. There may or may not be a charge depending on the quality of the items and whether they can be reused. Or take items to your local tip. Book or check prices with Dorset Council.
Recycling centres for Dorset
Household waste recycling centres take what your bins can't. Some need a booking: check before you go.
Blandford Household Recycling Centre
Shaftesbury Lane, Blandford, DT11 7EG
Opening hours: Winter hours (1 October to 31 March): 9am to 4pm every day. Open on bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening times change on 1 April; the summer hours are not on the council page yet.
Booking: No booking for household waste: anyone can use the centres. A free booking is needed only to use the free DIY waste allowance (up to 16 bags over a maximum of 4 visits in a 4-week period) or to take cement-bonded asbestos. Restricted vehicles (vans and similar) need a permit or a hire agreement of at most 3 days and cannot tow a trailer; other vehicles can tow a trailer up to 1.2m wide and 1.8m long.
Map position is the postcode centre. Run for Dorset Council by W&S Waste Management Ltd. Household waste only; business waste not accepted. Charges apply for tyres, gas bottles and DIY waste over the free allowance. Hazardous waste in labelled original containers, up to 5 litres per visit. One of only three sites licensed for cement-bonded asbestos (Blandford, Wareham, Weymouth), by booking.
Source: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Bridport (Broomhills) Household Recycling Centre
Broomhills Nursery, West Bay Fields, Bridport, DT6 5LB
Opening hours: Winter hours (1 October to 31 March): 9am to 4pm every day. Open on bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening times change on 1 April; the summer hours are not on the council page yet.
Booking: No booking for household waste: anyone can use the centres. A free booking is needed only to use the free DIY waste allowance (up to 16 bags over a maximum of 4 visits in a 4-week period). Restricted vehicles (vans and similar) need a permit or a hire agreement of at most 3 days and cannot tow a trailer; other vehicles can tow a trailer up to 1.2m wide and 1.8m long.
Map position is the postcode centre. Run for Dorset Council by W&S Waste Management Ltd. Household waste only; business waste not accepted. Charges apply for tyres, gas bottles and DIY waste over the free allowance. Hazardous waste in labelled original containers, up to 5 litres per visit.
Source: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Dorchester (Louds Mill) Household Recycling Centre
St Georges Road, Dorchester, DT1 1PE
Opening hours: Winter hours (1 October to 31 March): 9am to 4pm every day. Open on bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening times change on 1 April; the summer hours are not on the council page yet.
Booking: No booking for household waste: anyone can use the centres. A free booking is needed only to use the free DIY waste allowance (up to 16 bags over a maximum of 4 visits in a 4-week period). Restricted vehicles (vans and similar) need a permit or a hire agreement of at most 3 days and cannot tow a trailer; other vehicles can tow a trailer up to 1.2m wide and 1.8m long.
Map position is the postcode centre. Run for Dorset Council by W&S Waste Management Ltd. Household waste only; business waste not accepted. Charges apply for tyres, gas bottles and DIY waste over the free allowance. Hazardous waste in labelled original containers, up to 5 litres per visit.
Source: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Portland Household Recycling Centre
Easton Lane, Portland, DT5 1BW
Opening hours: Winter hours (1 October to 31 March): 9am to 4pm every day. Open on bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening times change on 1 April; the summer hours are not on the council page yet.
Booking: No booking for household waste: anyone can use the centres. A free booking is needed only to use the free DIY waste allowance (up to 16 bags over a maximum of 4 visits in a 4-week period). Restricted vehicles (vans and similar) need a permit or a hire agreement of at most 3 days and cannot tow a trailer; other vehicles can tow a trailer up to 1.2m wide and 1.8m long.
Map position is the postcode centre. Run for Dorset Council by W&S Waste Management Ltd. Household waste only; business waste not accepted. Charges apply for tyres, gas bottles and DIY waste over the free allowance. Hazardous waste in labelled original containers, up to 5 litres per visit.
Source: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Shaftesbury Household Recycling Centre
Wincombe Business Park, Warminster Road, Shaftesbury, SP7 9QJ
Opening hours: Winter hours (1 October to 31 March): 9am to 4pm every day. Open on bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening times change on 1 April; the summer hours are not on the council page yet.
Booking: No booking for household waste: anyone can use the centres. A free booking is needed only to use the free DIY waste allowance (up to 16 bags over a maximum of 4 visits in a 4-week period). Restricted vehicles (vans and similar) need a permit or a hire agreement of at most 3 days and cannot tow a trailer; other vehicles can tow a trailer up to 1.2m wide and 1.8m long.
Map position is the postcode centre. Run for Dorset Council by W&S Waste Management Ltd. Household waste only; business waste not accepted. Charges apply for tyres, gas bottles and DIY waste over the free allowance. Hazardous waste in labelled original containers, up to 5 litres per visit.
Source: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Sherborne Household Recycling Centre
West Mill Lane, Sherborne, DT9 6EE
Opening hours: Winter hours (1 October to 31 March): 9am to 4pm every day. Open on bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening times change on 1 April; the summer hours are not on the council page yet.
Booking: No booking for household waste: anyone can use the centres. A free booking is needed only to use the free DIY waste allowance (up to 16 bags over a maximum of 4 visits in a 4-week period). Restricted vehicles (vans and similar) need a permit or a hire agreement of at most 3 days and cannot tow a trailer; other vehicles can tow a trailer up to 1.2m wide and 1.8m long.
Map position is the postcode centre. Run for Dorset Council by W&S Waste Management Ltd. Household waste only; business waste not accepted. Charges apply for tyres, gas bottles and DIY waste over the free allowance. Hazardous waste in labelled original containers, up to 5 litres per visit.
Source: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Swanage Household Recycling Centre
Prospect Business Park, Victoria Avenue, Swanage, BH19 1EJ
Opening hours: Winter hours (1 October to 31 March): 9am to 4pm every day. Open on bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening times change on 1 April; the summer hours are not on the council page yet.
Booking: No booking for household waste: anyone can use the centres. A free booking is needed only to use the free DIY waste allowance (up to 16 bags over a maximum of 4 visits in a 4-week period). Restricted vehicles (vans and similar) need a permit or a hire agreement of at most 3 days and cannot tow a trailer; other vehicles can tow a trailer up to 1.2m wide and 1.8m long.
Map position is the postcode centre. Run for Dorset Council by W&S Waste Management Ltd. Household waste only; business waste not accepted. Charges apply for tyres, gas bottles and DIY waste over the free allowance. Hazardous waste in labelled original containers, up to 5 litres per visit.
Source: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Wareham Household Recycling Centre
Westminster Road Industrial Estate, Wareham, BH20 4SN
Opening hours: Winter hours (1 October to 31 March): 9am to 4pm every day. Open on bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening times change on 1 April; the summer hours are not on the council page yet.
Booking: No booking for household waste: anyone can use the centres. A free booking is needed only to use the free DIY waste allowance (up to 16 bags over a maximum of 4 visits in a 4-week period) or to take cement-bonded asbestos. Restricted vehicles (vans and similar) need a permit or a hire agreement of at most 3 days and cannot tow a trailer; other vehicles can tow a trailer up to 1.2m wide and 1.8m long.
Map position is the postcode centre. Run for Dorset Council by W&S Waste Management Ltd. Household waste only; business waste not accepted. Charges apply for tyres, gas bottles and DIY waste over the free allowance. Hazardous waste in labelled original containers, up to 5 litres per visit. One of only three sites licensed for cement-bonded asbestos (Blandford, Wareham, Weymouth), by booking.
Source: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Weymouth (Lodmoor) Household Recycling Centre
Preston Beach Road, Weymouth, DT4 7SX
Opening hours: Winter hours (1 October to 31 March): 9am to 4pm every day. Open on bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening times change on 1 April; the summer hours are not on the council page yet.
Booking: No booking for household waste: anyone can use the centres. A free booking is needed only to use the free DIY waste allowance (up to 16 bags over a maximum of 4 visits in a 4-week period) or to take cement-bonded asbestos. Restricted vehicles (vans and similar) need a permit or a hire agreement of at most 3 days and cannot tow a trailer; other vehicles can tow a trailer up to 1.2m wide and 1.8m long.
Map position is the postcode centre. Run for Dorset Council by W&S Waste Management Ltd. Household waste only; business waste not accepted. Charges apply for tyres, gas bottles and DIY waste over the free allowance. Hazardous waste in labelled original containers, up to 5 litres per visit. One of only three sites licensed for cement-bonded asbestos (Blandford, Wareham, Weymouth), by booking.
Source: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Wimborne Household Recycling Centre
Wimborne Recycling Centre, Brook Road, Wimborne, BH21 2BH
Opening hours: Winter hours (1 October to 31 March): 9am to 4pm every day. Open on bank holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Opening times change on 1 April; the summer hours are not on the council page yet.
Booking: No booking for household waste: anyone can use the centres. A free booking is needed only to use the free DIY waste allowance (up to 16 bags over a maximum of 4 visits in a 4-week period). Restricted vehicles (vans and similar) need a permit or a hire agreement of at most 3 days and cannot tow a trailer; other vehicles can tow a trailer up to 1.2m wide and 1.8m long.
Map position is the postcode centre. Run for Dorset Council by W&S Waste Management Ltd. Household waste only; business waste not accepted. Charges apply for tyres, gas bottles and DIY waste over the free allowance. Hazardous waste in labelled original containers, up to 5 litres per visit. No glass bottle and jar bank here (no space).
Source: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Where common items go in Dorset
- Pizza boxYes. Put it in your Recycling bin (black with green lid, or boxes). Source: Dorset Council
- Plastic carrier bagNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Dorset Council
- Crisp packetNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Dorset Council
- Black plastic ready-meal trayYes. Put it in your Recycling bin (black with green lid, or boxes). Source: Dorset Council
- Paper coffee cupYes. Put it in your Recycling bin (black with green lid, or boxes). Source: Dorset Council
- Wine bottleYes. Put it in your Glass box (40 litre). Source: Dorset Council
- Glass jarYes. Put it in your Glass box (40 litre). Source: Dorset Council
- Kitchen foilYes. Put it in your Recycling bin (black with green lid, or boxes). Source: Dorset Council
- Food scraps and leftoversYes. Put it in your Food waste bin (23 litre) and kitchen caddy (7 litre). Source: Dorset Council
- Tea bagYes. Put it in your Food waste bin (23 litre) and kitchen caddy (7 litre). Source: Dorset Council
- ClothesNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Dorset Council
- Battery (not sure which type)Yes. Put it in your Battery bag (small red bag, or your own small clear bag). Source: Dorset Council
- Disposable vapeNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Dorset Council
- Light bulb (not sure which type)Not in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Dorset Council
- Small household applianceNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Dorset Council
- Paint tinNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Dorset Council
- Real Christmas treeYes. Put it in your Garden waste bin (black with brown lid, paid subscription). Source: Dorset Council
- Cardboard boxYes. Put it in your Recycling bin (black with green lid, or boxes). Source: Dorset Council
- Food cartonYes. Put it in your Recycling bin (black with green lid, or boxes). Source: Dorset Council
- Plastic drinks bottleYes. Put it in your Recycling bin (black with green lid, or boxes). Source: Dorset Council
- Till receiptThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Rubbish bin (black, or blue sacks). Source: Dorset Council
Something else? Search any item and choose Dorset as your council.
How Dorset compares
- Weekly shop basket Collects 20 of 22 everyday packaging items from home. Joint 22nd of 279 councils in England. Not collected from home: Crisp packet, Bread bag
- Recycling rate 59.9% of household waste was reused, recycled or composted in 2024-25 (Defra). 3rd of 97 councils that collect waste and run the tips in England.
- Food waste Collected from home every week.
As of 24 Oct 2026. See all the council rankings.
Common questions
What goes in the recycling bin (black with green lid, or boxes) in Dorset?
240 litre bin. Paper and card, cardboard, cartons, empty tins, cans and aerosols, rinsed foil, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays of any colour, and takeaway paper cups and lids that aren't compostable. No glass, plastic bags or film, food, garden waste, textiles, batteries or electricals. Some homes use two lidded boxes instead of the bin.
What goes in the glass box (40 litre) in Dorset?
Glass bottles and jars, loose, with metal lids left on and plastic lids removed. Perfume and scent-diffuser bottles with spray tops removed. No broken glass, drinking glasses, Pyrex, window glass or light bulbs.
What goes in the rubbish bin (black, or blue sacks) in Dorset?
140 litre bin. Everything that can't be recycled: nappies, plastic film and bags, polystyrene, tissues and paper towels, pet waste, cold ashes, sanitary and medical waste, wrapped broken glass. The lid must close, and nothing left beside the bin is collected. Some homes use two authorised blue sacks a fortnight instead of a bin.
What goes in the battery bag (small red bag, or your own small clear bag) in Dorset?
Household batteries: AA, AAA, button and rechargeable. Put the bag out with your recycling. No phone, car, laptop or tablet batteries.
What goes in the garden waste bin (black with brown lid, paid subscription) in Dorset?
240 litre bin. Hedge and shrub cuttings, grass, twigs and small branches under 15mm, plants and non-invasive weeds, cut flowers and house plants, leaves, bark. Loose, no bags or liners.
What goes in the compostable garden waste sacks (for homes that can't have a bin) in Dorset?
Same garden waste as the bin; 50 sacks a year, and 2 sacks are collected per fortnight.
What goes in the food waste bin (23 litre) and kitchen caddy (7 litre) in Dorset?
All cooked and uncooked food: meat, fish and bones, fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags and coffee grounds. Line the caddy with a compostable liner or newspaper. No carrier bags, food packaging, garden waste, pet waste or liquids; oil and fat are not accepted, apart from small amounts soaked up in kitchen roll.
When is my bin day in Dorset?
It depends on your street. Enter your address in Dorset Council's bin day lookup (dorsetcouncil.gov.uk), or use Bin days on Recycle This.