Recycle this…

Recycling tips for West Sussex

WSCC Recycling Ambassador Colin McFarlin regularly shares his knowledge with the community on the tricky matter of recycling in our domestic blue bins and food waste. We, here at Haywards Heath Life, will be collecting all his invaluable tips and tricks and displaying them here on this handy online guide. We aim to add new recycling tips when they becomes available, so be sure to check back.
All the information collected here was correct at the time it went to press. To check it is still correct please email the editor at editor@haywardsheath.life

Important note: All items for recycling should be:

  • Clean - free from food and drink leftovers

  • Dry - keep your recycling bin lid shut

  • Loose - no plastic bags

Did you know that you now need to book an appointment to visit a recycling centre in West Sussex?

This is to cut down on long queues and give our staff more time to offer help and give you recycling advice. Here are the key points...
- Appointments are available 14 days in advance. www.westsussex.gov.uk/BookToRecycle
- You need to provide the registration number of the vehicle you will be attending the centre in when you book. If you are hiring a vehicle and this is unknown, you will be asked to show the hire paperwork at the centre.
- Anyone using a Recycling Centre is still required to provide proof of residency in West Sussex. You will still need to show one form of identification.

Wrapping paper/seasonal

Wrapping paper and seasonal


Wrapping paper – do the scrunch test – if it stays scrunched it can be recycled in your kerbside bin.


If it springs open it contains plastic and can be recycled at major supermarkets in their plastic bag recycling bins.
Always remove large bows and as much Sellotape as possible.





Had a real Christmas tree? www.midsussex.gov.uk/tree-recycling

Artificial trees – Take to the tip. Normal ones in the waste container bay please, fibre optic ones in the electricals container bay. Broken toys – if they cannot be fixed by yourself – or at a Repair Café – take to the tip.

In your blue top recycling bin:

Celebratory sweet and chocolate tins and tubes – metal, cardboard or paper can all be recycled in your recycling bin

  • Glass bottles, beer, wine and champagne. Without the tops please. Metal tops can go in the recycle bin separately. (Plastic tops and corks in the black top rubbish bin)

  • Mince pie plastic trays and the foil trays

  • Black plastic food trays can be recycled in West Sussex


Things to take to the tip:

  • Broken crockery or cups – it happens at parties!

  • Tinsel and baubles

  • Christmas fairy lights – these are classed as WEEE (Waste Electrical items)

Remember you will need to show you are a resident of West Sussex to use the Tip. Don’t forget your ID.

Please do not place batteries in your general rubbish bin or your recycling bin. Please recycle them at shops that sell batteries. All shops that sell batteries have to provide, by law, battery recycling points, and these are generally found near the checkout.