You and Your Community
Local information about Bedfordshire | Environment

Recycling - Home
Do you want to recycle your household waste or find others who may be able to use items you no longer need?  If so, the links below will help you find the right place or organisation.

 Where to find Recycling Services by Postcode:

• The web site Recycle Now provides a postcode search to enable you to find your nearest recycling centres.  It is straightforward and  very easy to use.

• Bedfordshire County Council. Information about recycling centres in Bedfordshire (Ampthill, Bedford, Biggleswade, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard).  The sites can take glass bottles, cardboard, green garden waste, newspaper, textiles, scrap metal, white goods, car batteries, used engine oil, gas cylinders, paint, fridges and freezers. In order to use household waste recycling
  centres you will need a waste permit.
   
• Mid Bedfordshire District Council.  Information on recycling and recycling points, and home composting.

 
• South Bedfordshire District Council. List of recycling points for glass, cans, newspapers, textiles, books, foil and shoes.  Also information about the orange bag recycling scheme and home composting.

The 'Orange Bag Scheme'

You need to register to receive orange bags for household recycling.  If you wish to register please telephone the relevant Recycling Hotline for your area:

• Mid Bedfordshire - 08452 304040
• Bedford Borough - 01234 227227
• South Bedfordshire - 01582 474040

• Bedford Freecycle (direct link) Organisation that enables you to recycle items you don't want to someone who does!
• LETSBuzz. A form of club that enables members to buy and sell goods and services without using cash.  The scheme works in a similar way to barter.

• British Heart Foundation.  Based in Bedford, accepts working electrical items.

• British Heart Foundation.  Based in Bedford
.
• Charity Furniture Store. Based in Bedford
.
• Emmaeus. Project based in Carlton
that recycles unwanted furniture and household goods for re-sale.
• Furniture Link.  Bedford based furniture recycling project.

• Bedford Borough Council.  Information for people who would like to home compost.
• Mid Bedfordshire District Council.  Lots of informative information on how to compost.

• There are five household waste recycling centres in Bedfordshire provided for householders to recycle their waste free of charge.  They are not for trade or commercial users.  Householders who wish to use these recycling centres must apply for a waste permit.  To apply for a waste permit, householders can ring a dedicated telephone number (01234 276386) or apply online online using Bedfordshire County Council's website.