Get rid of waste the right way
Plain-English guides to the rules on household waste in the UK, with links to the official pages so you can check for yourself.
Start with these guides
How to check a waste carrier is registered
Anyone who takes your waste away as a business must be a registered waste carrier. Here is how to check in a few minutes, and the warning signs to look for.
Your household waste duty of care
Householders in England have a legal duty to make sure their waste goes to the right person. What that means, what councils can do, and how to protect yourself.
Getting rid of bulky items: your options
Sofas, mattresses, fridges and old furniture: the legal ways to get rid of bulky household items in the UK, from council collections to registered carriers.
Garden waste: compost, council bin or collection?
Choose a route for grass, branches and garden clear-outs, and understand why soil, rubble and fencing need a separate conversation.
DIY waste: rubble, tiles and plasterboard
Plan disposal before a small renovation: what to ask about DIY waste limits, separate materials and waste produced by a tradesperson.
Old electrical items: recycling and retailer take-back
Find a suitable route for a broken kettle, television, computer or other electrical item without putting it in the general rubbish.
How we write these guides
- We explain the rules in plain English and link to the official source.
- Each guide shows the date it was last reviewed and where it applies.
- We are independent. We are not a government service. Read more.
Free tools
Report fly-tipping
Pin dumped rubbish on a map, add photos and send it to the right council. Free, takes about a minute, and adds it to the live fly-tipping map.
Live fly-tipping map
See fly-tipping reported by the public in the last 90 days, updated live. Spotted some? Add it in a minute.
Report fly-tipping: West Midlands councils
Official fly-tipping reporting links and phone numbers for 19 councils in and around the West Midlands.
How do I dispose of this?
Type an item, from a sofa to a vape, and see where it usually goes: recycling, general rubbish, a recycling centre or a special route.
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🌍 World waste facts
- Global waste in numbers
- E-waste around the world
- Food waste around the world
- The global plastics treaty: where talks have got to
- How other countries tackle waste
🎮 Games for kids and families
Bin Sorter
A quick game for kids and grown-ups: sort everyday items into the right bin and learn why. 10 items per round.
Myth or Fact?
A true-or-false waste quiz for families and classrooms. Learn surprising facts about rubbish and recycling.
Spot the Danger
Five rooms to clear: tap the items that must never go in a household bin, from batteries and vapes to gas bottles and old medicines. Great for teaching kids about hazards.
Bin Lorry Rush
An arcade sorting game: items ride the conveyor belt and you send each one to the right bin before it falls off. It speeds up as you go. Watch the contamination meter!
Recycling Plant Tycoon
Design a real recycling sorting line with magnets, eddy currents and optical sorters. Earn money for clean material, and watch out for jams and battery fires.
Fly-Tip Detective
A detective story: investigate a pile of dumped rubbish, find the clues, stay safe and work out who is responsible. Learn why checking your waste collector matters.
Who Would You Hire?
Three adverts offer to take your rubbish away. Ask questions, check the register and pick one, then see where your waste really ended up.
Classroom Quiz Battle
A team quiz for the classroom whiteboard: 2 to 4 teams, a timer and a scoreboard. No phones, no sign-up. 18 questions on recycling, safety and fly-tipping.