Black bin: non-recyclable waste

The black bin

The black bin is for general household waste that cannot be recycled or composted. It should always be your last option.

Before using your black bin, make sure you’ve recycled everything you can in the blue bin and placed all food and garden waste in the brown bin. Remember that from March 2026, the food waste goes into the new green food container.

By reducing black bin waste, you’ll help protect the environment and save money on costly disposal.

If you’re unsure about an item, check our Recycling Helper. 

How to manage better: Check, sort, divert

To cut down on non-recyclable waste:

• Check: Does it really belong in the black bin, or can it be recycled?
• Sort - Move dry recyclable items into the blue bin and the food or garden waste into the brown bins and green containers.
• Divert - Sell, donate, reuse or take items to the Raynesway Household Waste and Recycling Centre.

Every item diverted away from the black bin saves resources, reduces costs, and helps Derby work towards its net zero goals.

What goes in your black bin

Your black bin is for non-recyclable or compostable household rubbish, including:

• nappies and sanitary products
• non-recyclable plastics for example, crisp packets, cling film, plastic film until March 2026
• polystyrene packaging
• disposable wipes and tissues
• broken crockery and small non-recyclable household items
• cat litter and pet waste (bagged).

Please make sure waste is bagged and tied to avoid litter and protect collection crews.

We will not take additional waste alongside your bin.

Businesses that need to dispose of waste should contact our commercial waste collection service.

What not to put in your black bin

Do not put these in your black bin:

• Recyclables – paper, cardboard, plastics, cans, glass belongs in the blue bin.
• Garden waste – belongs in the brown bin.
• Food waste – belongs in the brown bin until 30 March 2026 and after that, belongs in the green container.
• Broken electrical items, batteries or vapes and risk of fire; take to Raynesway HWRC or drop-off points.
• Textiles - if in good conditions, choose to sell or donate instead. 
• Bulky items – book a bulky waste collection instead.
• Clinical waste – must be arranged separately through healthcare services.
• Liquids, oils or paints – unsafe for collection.

If these items are found, your bin will be marked as contaminated and may not be emptied.

Why minimise black bin use?

The black bin should always be the last resort. Recycling and composting are cheaper, better for the environment, and help Derby move towards a greener future. 

• Environmental impact – Black bin waste is either incinerated for energy or sent to landfill. Both release greenhouse gases and cost more than recycling or composting.
• Financial impact – Treating black bin waste is one of the most expensive options. The more that goes in the black bin, the less money the council has to invest in local services.
• Better results – Recycling and composting keep resources in use, reduce pollution, and cut costs for Derby households.

Additional black bins

We only provide additional black bins in very specific circumstances. Before applying, you should always try to reduce your waste and recycle more. You may be eligible if:

• Your household has five or more people, or
• You have two or more children in nappies full time, and
• You regularly produce more waste than one black bin can hold.

A waste minimisation officer will visit your property to confirm eligibility and check that recycling and waste-reduction steps are in place. If you fit the requirements, you can apply for an additional black bin.

If you need additional capacity for healthcare-related waste, your healthcare professional will need to complete a clinical waste assessment form. More information is available on our clinical waste page.

What happens to your non-recyclable waste after it's been collected

• Collection – Black bins are emptied into refuse trucks.
• Transfer station – Waste is bulked up for transport.
• Treatment – Most black bin waste is sent to energy recovery plants, where it is burned safely to generate electricity and heat. A smaller amount goes to landfill.
• The challenge – Unlike recycling or composting, black bin waste cannot be turned into new products. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

This is why keeping black bin use to a minimum is so important.

More help with black bins

If you're unsure where something should go, try our Recycling Helper - it gives instant answers for hundreds of everyday items.

If you still need advice, contact us.