Students in Bristol
This is your place to find out everything you need to know about recycling and waste in Bristol as a student.
Student recycling guide for Bristol
Reduce waste, avoid fines and be a proper Bristol neighbour. Welcome to your Bristol student recycling guide.
Here’s everything you need to know about reducing, reusing, recycling and managing your waste in your new city.
Recycling is crucial
Recycling helps us conserve our natural resources because it reduces the need to use new raw materials from the Earth. It takes more energy to make new materials than to recycle an existing one so recycling reduces the amount of harmful emissions.
In Bristol we reduce, reuse and recycle
📉 Reduce
The best way to avoid waste and protect the planet is to make do with what you have. Check in with your housemates ahead of moving-in, do you really need to bring a kettle each?
🌍 Reuse
Buy second hand and donate usable items to be reused.
Visit one of Bristol Waste’s Reuse Shops for second hand bargains. You can get furniture for your new home, kitchen stuff (like plates, mugs and cutlery), electricals and uni supplies, all whilst reducing waste and protecting the environment.
In Bristol we also have amazing charity and second-hand shops as well the standard websites for pre-loved bargains (like Facebook Marketplace, Ebay or Gumtree).
♻️ Recycle
In Bristol, we’re proud to be the number 1 core English city for recycling rates (8 years in a row).
As Bristol residents, you’re responsible for helping keep your neighbourhood clean, safe and sustainable. First step: get your recycling sorted.
- Find out what goes in which bin here.
- Don’t have the correct bins and recycling containers? Find out more here
- You also have access to Bristol’s 3 Household Reuse and Recycling Centres for free. (If you’re visiting by car, you’ll need to book your visit in advance!)
What goes in which bin?
Blue bag, green box, wheelie bin… Get to know your Bristol bins.
Find out what goes in which bin, box or bag here.
Check out our printable guides below.
Bristol recycling guides
Not sure what day we collect your waste and recycling? We have handy calendars for the full year that you can download.
- Click here to find your collection day
- Click here to download your collection calendar
- Click here to find out what to do with bulky waste
Do you have your own recycling boxes and bins? This is the guide for you.
Kerbside recycling guide
(2 MB)
Do you share recycling bins with your neighbours? This handy guide for mini recycling centres (MRC) will tell you everything you need to know.
Mini recycling centre guide
(2 MB)
Keep your street neat, tell us about issues
Ever spotted abandoned rubbish and wanted to do something about it? You can help keep your local area clean and tidy by reporting issues you see on the street. If unreported, piles of rubbish or dumped items can continue to pile up – not a pleasant sight!
Types of problems you can report:
Bristol and South Gloucestershire have different collections
If you are a student at University of West England (UWE), you may be a resident under South Gloucestershire Council. Be aware that Bristol Waste’s rules and services apply to Bristol residents only.
Get involved
Litter picking is a rewarding way of helping keep Bristol clean and free from rubbish. Hosting a litter pick can be a great way bring friends together and get involved with your local community. There are dozens of established groups across the city with new ones popping up all the time.
Simply fill out one of our forms and we’ll supply you with the litter picking sticks, high-vis vests and bags!
Find out more to help you get set up to bring waste down:
