Which items can be recycled in the green bin?

What food waste can be recycled

  • Raw and cooked meat and fish – including bones
  • Raw and cooked fruit and vegetables
  • Leftovers from your plate
  • Rice, pasta, beans
  • Bread, cake and pastries
  • Cheese and eggs – including egg shells
  • Tea bags and coffee grounds

 

What garden waste can be recycled

  • Flowers and plants
  • Leaves from the garden
  • Grass cuttings and hedge clippings
  • Twigs and small branches
  • Hay and straw pet bedding (e.g. rabbits and guinea pigs) 

 

We will not empty green bins or food waste containers that contain the following:

  • Liquids – milk, cooking oils, etc.
  • Plastic bags
  • Plastic food packaging
  • Glass
  • Rubble
  • Turf and ash
  • Soil and stone
  • Dog and cat faeces
  • Cat litter

In addition to the items listed, we will not empty green bins that contain rubbish and recycling meant for other bin types.

To find out what to do with specific items visit the A-Z on the Recycle for Greater Manchester website.
 

What happens to my recycling?

Your food and garden waste is delivered to In-Vessel Composting facilities (IVC) in the UK. An IVC is like a home compost bin, but on a massive scale. The IVC system harnesses the natural composting process to recycle your food and garden waste into compost in just 6 weeks. To find out more visit Recycle for Greater Manchester.