Changes to paper and card items

We have updated our advice about how to recycle greeting cards. You should now place any non-glittery cards in the card sack. This has changed from the advice printed on the sacks and in our easy guide to recycling.

To find out how to dispose of a particular item, you can enter the item into the keywords search. We recommend using general search terms, rather than searching for specific items. For example, it is better to search for "furniture" than "broken dining chair".

Search directory

Special collections

We offer special collections for large items, clinical waste and incontinence waste. We also offer a free assisted collection service if you have difficulty moving your bins, boxes and sacks.

You can find more information and request a special collection.

Local recycling centre

You can find your local recycling centre.

Essex County Council manage the recycling centres. We will not be able to help if you contact us with a query about your local centre.

Each recycling centre has different opening times, restrictions and items that they do not accept. Before you go to your recycling centre, you need to check this information.

Information from Love Essex

Essex County Council's Love Essex gives advice about how to dispose of different items.

You can look at their information if your item is something we don't collect, and is something your local recycling centre will not accept. 

Disposing of asbestos

We do not collect asbestos, and you can't take it to your local recycling centre.

You can request an asbestos collection from Essex County Council.

Is there something wrong with this page?

You can report issues with the website using our website feedback form, which will go directly to the Web Team. This team will be unable to deal with your enquiry if it is not related to the website.