Bins and recycling in Plymouth

What goes in each of Plymouth's bins, and where to take the things they don't collect. This page uses Plymouth City Council's own published information, checked 10 Oct 2026.

Recycle This is independent: it isn't run by Plymouth City Council. If anything here differs from Plymouth City Council's website, the council is right.

Your bins in Plymouth

  • Green recycling bin or bags

    Collected fortnightly Glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, paper and card, food and drink cans, aerosols, foil and metal lids. Put it in loose, not bagged. Collected on alternate weeks to the brown bin.

  • Brown general waste bin or bags

    Collected fortnightly Anything that can't be recycled: nappies, polystyrene, coffee cups, soft plastics and film, broken glass, mirrors, shiny gift wrap, dirty foil. Collected on alternate weeks to the green bin.

  • Grey food waste caddy

    Collected weekly All uneaten food, plate scrapings, peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds, meat, fish and bones, dairy, eggs, bread and cut flowers. No liquids, oil or packaging. Collected weekly on the same day as your other bins.

  • Black garden waste bin or bag

    Collected fortnightly Flowers, grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, plants, weeds, twigs and small branches. No food, plant pots, soil or rubble. Paid permit needed (GBP 58 for the 2026 season).

Flat with shared bins: Some flats, apartment blocks and shared houses use communal green, brown and food waste bins instead of their own bins and caddies. The same things go in them.

Source: Plymouth City Council's website.

Bin days in Plymouth

Check your collection day with Plymouth City Council's bin day lookup, or use Bin days on this site.

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Garden waste and bulky items

Garden waste collection: £58 a year. £58 standard permit for the 2026 season, collected every other week from Monday 30 March to Sunday 22 November 2026; the page says nothing about 2027. Season: Mar–Nov. (source)

Paid collection from GBP 36 (non-refundable; half price twice a year with Council Tax Support). Book online with a My Plymouth account. Items 5ft or under, left out by 6am. Book or check prices with Plymouth City Council.

Recycling centres for Plymouth

Household waste recycling centres take what your bins can't. Some need a booking: check before you go.

  • Chelson Meadow Recycling Centre

    The Ride, Plymstock, Plymouth, PL9 7JA

    Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 8.30am to 5.30pm; closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day

    Booking: No booking for general use, but bring proof of a Plymouth address. Book a visit to take free DIY waste (soil, rubble, ceramics, plasterboard); book 2 weeks ahead for asbestos; vans and trailers need a permit.

    Map position is the postcode centre. Charges apply for soil and rubble (GBP 3.10 per bag or item) and plasterboard (GBP 7.50 per bag or sheet) outside the free DIY limits; card payment only. Fridges and freezers are taken (not commercial). Takes asbestos by booking (two weeks ahead).

    Source: plymouth.gov.uk

  • Weston Mill Recycling Centre

    North Prospect Road, Plymouth, PL5 2AR

    Opening hours: Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8.30am to 5.30pm; closed Tuesday to Thursday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day

    Booking: No booking; bring proof of a Plymouth address. Vans and trailers are not allowed.

    Map position is the postcode centre. Takes washing machines, cookers and tumble dryers, but not fridges, TVs, hazardous waste or rubble.

    Source: plymouth.gov.uk

Where common items go in Plymouth

Something else? Search any item and choose Plymouth as your council.

How Plymouth compares

As of 24 Oct 2026. See all the council rankings.

Common questions

What goes in the green recycling bin or bags in Plymouth?

Glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, paper and card, food and drink cans, aerosols, foil and metal lids. Put it in loose, not bagged. Collected on alternate weeks to the brown bin.

What goes in the brown general waste bin or bags in Plymouth?

Anything that can't be recycled: nappies, polystyrene, coffee cups, soft plastics and film, broken glass, mirrors, shiny gift wrap, dirty foil. Collected on alternate weeks to the green bin.

What goes in the grey food waste caddy in Plymouth?

All uneaten food, plate scrapings, peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds, meat, fish and bones, dairy, eggs, bread and cut flowers. No liquids, oil or packaging. Collected weekly on the same day as your other bins.

What goes in the black garden waste bin or bag in Plymouth?

Flowers, grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, plants, weeds, twigs and small branches. No food, plant pots, soil or rubble. Paid permit needed (GBP 58 for the 2026 season).

When is my bin day in Plymouth?

It depends on your street. Enter your address in Plymouth City Council's bin day lookup (plymouth-self.achieveservice.com), or use Bin days on Recycle This.

Official sources