Council publishes printable guide to what goes in which bin
30 July 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
Richmond Council has released a new printable guide explaining which items belong in each of the borough's recycling containers — a handy reference that covers the paper and card bin, mixed recycling, food waste caddy, general rubbish and garden waste.
The guide is designed to reduce contamination, which occurs when the wrong materials — food waste, plastic bags or non-recyclable packaging — end up in recycling bins. Contaminated loads are harder to sort and can result in recyclable materials being rejected entirely and sent to landfill instead.
The council says residents can now recycle a broader range of everyday items than before, making it worth revisiting the rules even if you feel confident about your current routine. The guide is intended to be printed and kept near the bins or stuck to a fridge as a quick household reference.
For families with children or households with multiple people contributing to waste sorting, a visible prompt like this can make a practical difference to the quality of recycling put out each week. The printable guide and full details are available on the council's website.