Bins and recycling in Wigan
What goes in each of Wigan's bins, and where to take the things they don't collect. This page uses Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council's own published information, checked 10 Oct 2026.
Recycle This is independent: it isn't run by Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council. If anything here differs from Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council's website, the council is right.
Your bins in Wigan
Blue bin (or white sack)
Brown bin
Green bin
Silver kitchen food caddy
Black bin
Flat with shared bins: Flats in blocks share large Euro bins at the building: black for rubbish, blue for paper and card, brown for mixed recycling and a green wheeled bin for food waste. Rubbish and recycling are emptied every 3 weeks and food waste every 2 weeks. The guide offers flats no garden waste collection.
Bin days in Wigan
Check your collection day with Wigan Metropolitan Borough 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
Book through MyAccount. Two free collections of up to five items per property in 12 months, then £27 for up to five items. Items must be outside and covered by 6am on the day. Book or check prices with Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council.
Recycling centres for Wigan
Household waste recycling centres take what your bins can't. Some need a booking: check before you go.
Chanters Recycling Centre
Chanters Industrial Estate, Atherton, M46 9BP
Opening hours: Every day including bank holidays. Summer (from the last Sunday in March): 8am to 7:45pm. Winter (from the last Sunday in October): 9am to 5:45pm. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Closes early if there is a queue near closing time.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free single-use permit is needed for vans, pickups, campervans, minibuses and any twin-axle trailer. Wigan Borough residents only; bring a photo driving licence as proof of address.
Phone 01942 897949. Map position is the postcode centre. Another council page gives Arley Way, M46 9FF, about 300m away. Trailers up to 3m. No chemicals, pesticides or asbestos here (Kirkless only). Petrol, diesel, sharps and trade waste are not accepted.
Source: wigan.gov.uk
Kirkless Recycling Centre
Makerfield Way, Higher Ince, Wigan, WN2 2PR
Opening hours: Every day including bank holidays. Summer (from the last Sunday in March): 8am to 7:45pm. Winter (from the last Sunday in October): 9am to 5:45pm. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Closes early if there is a queue near closing time.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free single-use permit is needed for vans, pickups, campervans, minibuses and any twin-axle trailer. Wigan Borough residents only; bring a photo driving licence as proof of address.
Phone 01942 825755. Map position is the postcode centre. Only Kirkless takes chemicals, pesticides, oxygen and compressed air cylinders, and asbestos (Saturdays 9am to 12 noon, by appointment). Single-axle trailers up to 4m. Petrol, diesel, sharps and trade waste are not accepted.
Source: wigan.gov.uk
Slag Lane Recycling Centre
Slag Lane, Lowton, Leigh, WA3 1BZ
Opening hours: Every day including bank holidays. Summer (from the last Sunday in March): 8am to 7:45pm. Winter (from the last Sunday in October): 9am to 5:45pm. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Closes early if there is a queue near closing time.
Booking: No booking for cars. A free single-use permit is needed for vans, pickups, campervans, minibuses and any twin-axle trailer. Wigan Borough residents only; bring a photo driving licence as proof of address.
Phone 01942 261633. Map position is the postcode centre. Approach from the Lowton side. Trailers up to 3m. No chemicals, pesticides or asbestos here (Kirkless only). Petrol, diesel, sharps and trade waste are not accepted.
Source: wigan.gov.uk
Where common items go in Wigan
- Pizza boxYes. Put it in your Blue bin (or white sack). Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Plastic carrier bagYes. Put it in your Brown bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Crisp packetYes. Put it in your Brown bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Black plastic ready-meal trayThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Black bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Paper coffee cupThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Black bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Wine bottleYes. Put it in your Brown bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Glass jarYes. Put it in your Brown bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Kitchen foilYes. Put it in your Brown bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Food scraps and leftoversYes. Put it in your Green bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Tea bagYes. Put it in your Green bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- ClothesNot in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Battery (not sure which type)Not in your home bins. Take it to a drop-off point. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Disposable vapeNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Light bulb (not sure which type)Not in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Small household applianceNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Paint tinNot in any home bin. Take it to a household waste recycling centre. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Real Christmas treeYes. Put it in your Green bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Cardboard boxYes. Put it in your Blue bin (or white sack). Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Food cartonYes. Put it in your Brown bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Plastic drinks bottleYes. Put it in your Brown bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Till receiptThis can't be recycled here. Put it in your Black bin. Source: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
Something else? Search any item and choose Wigan as your council.
How Wigan compares
- Weekly shop basket Collects 21 of 22 everyday packaging items from home. Joint 4th of 279 councils in England. Not collected from home: Black plastic ready-meal tray
- Recycling rate 50.2% of household waste was reused, recycled or composted in 2024-25 (Defra). Joint 15th of 97 councils that collect waste and run the tips in England.
- Food waste Collected from home every two weeks.
As of 24 Oct 2026. See all the council rankings.
Common questions
What goes in the blue bin (or white sack) in Wigan?
Paper and card: office paper, junk mail, catalogues, newspapers, magazines, envelopes, greeting cards without glitter, cardboard and kitchen or toilet roll tubes. Not plastics, cartons, books or wallpaper.
What goes in the brown bin in Wigan?
Cans, tins, aerosols, foil, aluminium tubes, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, plastic bags and wrapping, crisp packets, food and drink cartons, and non-black plant pots. Loose, clean and free from liquid or food.
What goes in the green bin in Wigan?
Food waste and garden waste together: grass, leaves, twigs and branches under 15cm, plus all food scraps, bones, tea bags and coffee grounds. No plastic bags, packaging, soil, rubble, liquids, pet waste or cat litter.
What goes in the silver kitchen food caddy in Wigan?
Small caddy for the kitchen, used with free compostable liners. Tie up the full liner and put it in the green bin.
What goes in the black bin in Wigan?
General waste: anything that is not allowed in the other bins, including nappies, incontinence pads, bagged pet waste and cat litter. No soil, rubble, building materials, liquids or hazardous waste.
When is my bin day in Wigan?
It depends on your street. Enter your address in Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council's bin day lookup (apps.wigan.gov.uk), or use Bin days on Recycle This.