Household waste
Mini recycling centres
Everything you need to know about using your mini recycling centre in Bristol.
Mini recycling centres (MRCs) or shared bins
If you live in a flat, you probably have shared bins. We call these shared bins a mini recycling centre (MRC).
If you live in a house that has been converted into flats, your mini recycling centre might be on the street near to your home. If you live in a purpose-built block of flats, your bins might be next to your building in a car park or shared garden, or in a bin store inside the building.
Mini recycling centres have recycling bins for cardboard and brown paper, glass, plastics, metal, paper, and food.
- How to use your mini recycling centre
- How to report an issue with your mini recycling centre
- Download a mini recycling centre guide
If your MRC is full, please don’t put your waste or recycling next to it. This is called ‘side waste’, which creates a public nuisance and leads to problems with pests. It could also result in an enforcement action and a fine.
Card and brown paper bin
✅ boxes (remove any tape)
✅ cartons (rinsed and squashed)
✅ greetings cards (no glitter)
✅ cardboard tubes
✅ brown paper
No:
❌ tape
❌ plastic
❌ wrapping paper
To fit as much into the bin as possible, please flatten, fold, or cut up any boxes.
Plastic and metal bin
✅ cans
✅ plastic bottles
✅ lids and caps
✅ plastic packaging
✅ empty aerosols
✅ foil
No:
❌ black plastic
❌ plastic film and soft plastics
❌ gas cannisters
Paper bin
✅ white and coloured paper
✅ envelopes (remove any plastic)
✅ magazines
No:
❌ brown paper
❌ wrapping paper
Glass bin
✅ bottles
✅ jars
No:
❌ drinking glasses
❌ window glass
Food waste bin
✅ fruit and vegetables
✅ cheese and dairy
✅ meat, fish, and bones
✅ eggshells
✅ bread, pasta, rice, and cereal
✅ coffee grounds and tea bags
✅ leftovers and plate scrapings
No:
❌ packaging
Non-recyclable household waste black wheelie bin
✅ household waste that can’t be recycled
No:
❌ batteries
❌ food
❌ business waste
Things we don't collect from shared bins
We don’t collect electronics from mini recycling centres. Please take them to your nearest Household Reuse and Recycling Centre. If they still work, you can donate them at the donation point at our Household Reuse and Recycling Centres for us to reuse or you can donate them to a charity shop.
We don’t collect batteries from mini recycling centres. Instead, please take batteries to your nearest battery recycling point (you can find these in many supermarkets) or one of Bristol’s recycling centres. Batteries can cause fires, so it is important to dispose of them properly.
Please take textiles to a Household Reuse and Recycling Centre or a charity shop (check with the charity shop first). We cannot collect textiles from a mini recycling centre.
Bulky waste is anything that won’t fit into your bin. Excess waste and bulky items can be taken to one of our Household Reuse and Recycling Centres, or you can book a bulky waste collection from Bristol City Council.
How to book a bulky waste collection:
Book a bulky waste collection for larger items such as mattresses, electrical items, fridges, and freezers, on the Bristol City Council website. There is a small service fee (£25 for up to 3 items or £50 for up to 6 items) for the service. You must book this service first and only put the items out on the day of the scheduled collection.
Remember, we won’t collect waste left next to or near the MRC and leaving waste on the street is not only anti-social, it is illegal fly-tipping and can lead to enforcement action and a fine.
Report an issue with your mini recycling centre (MRC)
Depending on who your landlord is, there are different ways to report issues with your shared bins (MRCs).
- Bristol City Council tenants should report issues to their Housing Officer.
- Private tenants should report issues to their landlord or managing agent.
- Missed collections should be reported online after 5pm on the day it was missed and before 5pm the next working day.
Download a mini recycling centre guide
You can download the guide in English, Polish or Somali to read online or print at home.