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A-Z Recycling Guide

We understand it can be a little confusing knowing which items can or cannot be recycled, what you should do with them or which bin to use. To help make things easier, we’ve put together an A-Z guide for residents that provides guidance on what to do when disposing of items.​

Recycling if you live in a flat or tenement

Bring Sites have been provided to make it easier for residents living in flats and tenements in
Dundee to recycle. Please be considerate of others when using these facilities.

Search nearest Bring Site

Recycling points across the city

Recycling points are smaller in scale and have a more limited number of bins than Recycling
Centres. However, they are sited in locations throughout Dundee.

Search nearest Recycling Point

What can and cannot go in your bins

Grey (General Waste)
Blue (Paper & Cardboard)
Burgundy (Metals, plastics, cartons)
Green Caddies (Food Waste)
Brown (Garden Waste)

Recycle for Dundee

Click on a letter or use the category filter to search for your item.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T V W Y
Item Category Guidance More Info
Asbestos Containing Materials Special / Hazardous
  • e.g. fibre cement roofing, cladding, pipe insulation etc (examples are not exhaustive) from buildings built or refurbished before year 2000.
  • Asbestos is a hazardous material not accepted at Riverside or Baldovie recycling centres.
  • Householders should contact specialist waste management companies for safe disposal.
Batteries (Domestic) Special / Hazardous
  • Check local supermarkets and retailers for battery disposal points.
  • Can also be recycled at Riverside or Baldovie recycling centres. There are specific containers for batteries.
  • Ask a recycling attendant onsite if unsure.
  • Important - do not place in Grey non-recyclable waste bin. Batteries can cause fires.
Batteries (Lead Acid - car batteries) Special / Hazardous
  • Can be recycled at Riverside or Baldovie recycling centres.  There are specific containers for batteries.
  • Ask a recycling attendant onsite if unsure.
  • Important - do not place in Grey non-recyclable waste bin. Batteries can cause fires.
Batteries (Lithium) Special / Hazardous
  • Can be recycled at Riverside or Baldovie recycling centres. There are specific containers for batteries.
  • Ask a recycling attendant onsite if unsure.
  • Important - do not place in grey general waste bin. Lithium batteries are extremely dangerous as they can explode and cause fires.
Dead Animals Special / Hazardous
  • If found on Dundee City Council land, phone Environmental Management on 01382 436288.
Dog Waste Special / Hazardous
  • Please bag all dog waste before disposing in a dog waste bin or a litter bin.
  • Dog owners must clean up after their dog has fouled any public open space.
Fire Extinguishers (Households only) Special / Hazardous
  • Return to your original supplier for reuse or recycling.

Do not dispose of fire extinguishers:

  • in grey non-recyclable waste bin.
  • in any recycling bins.
  • at any recycling points.
  • in waste skips.
  • Incorrect disposal of fire extinguishers is dangerous and can lead to injury or harm if it remains undetected throughout the waste treatment process.
  • Can be safely recycled at Riverside or Baldovie recycling centres.
Gas Canisters (Households only) Special / Hazardous
  • Return to your original supplier for reuse or recycling.

Do not dispose of gas canisters:

  • in Grey non-recyclable waste bin.
  • in any recycling bins.
  • at any recycling points.
  • in waste skips.
  • Incorrect disposal of gas canisters is dangerous and can lead to injury or harm if it remains undetected throughout the waste treatment process.
  • Can be safely recycled at Riverside or Baldovie recycling centres.
Hand Sanitiser (Unused/expired) Special / Hazardous
  • Hand sanitiser liquids/gels are classed as hazardous waste.
  • These liquids are not accepted at the Riverside or Baldovie household waste recycling centres.
  • Householders with small quantities can dispose of this waste via their Grey non-recyclable waste bin.
  • Householders or businesses with larger quantities (i.e. litres) should contact the manufacturer of the hand sanitiser product for guidance on safe disposal.  Alternatively,  for larger quantities please contact companies specialising in the safe disposal of chemical wastes.
Hazardous Wastes - Not Accepted Special / Hazardous

The council does not provide special/hazardous waste clean-up, uplift or disposal services for the following.

Including but not limited to:

Pesticides/Herbicides, chemicals (e.g. brake fluid, thinners, fuels, printer toner, industrial cleaning agents etc), asbestos containing materials, heavy metals (e.g. mercury etc), radioactive substances (any items containing luminous Radium paint pre-1970’s e.g. clocks & watches; Uranium glassware (e.g. Green or Red Fiestaware) pre-1940’s), lead based paints pre-1992 UK ban and pressurised gas cylinders containing acetylene or toxic/corrosive gasses.

Please contact a specialist hazardous/special waste disposal contractor directly for safe licenced uplift and disposal.