Salford Recycling Rules 

Salford recycling rules are a lot like navigating public transport on a hangover – confusing, frustrating, and a little bit overwhelming. But we’re here to change that! We’ve laid out what you can and can’t recycle, as well as some general bin rules that may have been lost in translation. With this handy guide, you’ll be able to become a recycling genius in no time. But don’t expect a Blue Peter badge when you’re finished!

Reuse when and where you can

It’s no secret that here at Modern Milkman, we’re all about encouraging people to reuse as much of their waste as they possibly can, which is why services like our fresh milk delivery and cereal refill all have return and reuse packaging. But, of course, not everything can be delivered in that same way, which is why it’s important to make sure you’re in the know when it comes to recycling!

According to the City Council in Salford’s recycling rules:

Here’s what Salford recycling rules says you CAN put into your recycling bins:

Blue bin: 

  • • Paper and junk mail 
  • • Cardboard 
  • • Newspaper and magazines 
  • • Envelopes 
  • • Catalogues and yellow pages 
  • • Corrugated packaging 
  • • Shoe boxes 
  • • Rinsed tetra Pak cartons 

Brown bin: 

  • • Rinsed glass bottles 
  • • Plastic bottles (like shampoo bottles without the lid) 
  • • Rinsed jars 
  • • Food and drink cans 
  • • Clean foil and foil trays 
  • • Empty aerosol cans 

Pink lidded bin: 

  • • Grass and hedge cuttings 
  • • Leaves and small branches 
  • • Flowers and plants 
  • • Bread, cakes, pastries 
  • • Fruit and vegetables 
  • • Dairy products like cheese and yogurt 
  • • Meal leftovers 
  • • Rice and pasta 
  • • Eggs and shells 
  • • Raw and cooked fish and meat (including bones) 
  • • Tea bags and ground coffee 
  • • Pet food 

23 litre outdoor food bin (if you have one): 

  • • Bread, cakes, pastries 
  • • Fruit and vegetables 
  • • Dairy products like cheese and yogurt 
  • • Meal leftovers 
  • • Rice and pasta 
  • • Eggs and shells 
  • • Raw and cooked fish and meat (including bones) 
  • • Tea bags and ground coffee 
  • • Pet food 

Here’s what CANNOT go into your recycling bins: 

Blue bin: 

  • Plastic bags 

Brown bin: 

  • Yogurt pots 
  • Food trays 
  • Plastic bags 

Pink lidded bin and 23 litre outdoor food bin: 

  • Plant pots 
  • Soil 

More Salford recycling notes:

Break up or squash down any pieces to make more room in your bin (we recommend doing this after a stressful day at work).  

To avoid contamination, make sure to rinse out any plastic bottles and glass jars (just like your milk bottles).  

When putting your food waste into the bin, make sure it’s in a compostable liner. If you don’t have one, just throw your food waste directly into your pink lidded bin, or 23 litre outdoor food bin if you have one. 

For more of Salford City Council’s recycling details, just follow the link here

Where does it all go?

​​As per Salford’s recycling rules, your paper and card are taken to a facility where they’re sorted and graded (but not into Hogwarts houses). The rubbish is then transported to a reprocessing facility that recycles it into new products. According to Recycle for Greater Manchester, these new products are then sold – with 51% of recycled paper and cards sold to UK markets and 7% sold to EU markets. The rest goes to other world markets outside of the EU. 

Salford’s recycling that is mixed is taken to a Materials Recovery Facility in Manchester. There, your plastic bottles, tins, glass jars, and drink cans are all separated. The waste is then all put together and ready for the recycling process. 66% of recycled plastic bottles are then sold to UK markets, and 33% are sold to EU markets. 100% of your glass bottles, jars, aerosol cans, food cans, drink cans, and foil were then sold to UK markets (Recycle for Greater Manchester). 

All your food and garden waste is taken to an in-vessel composting facility in the UK. What’s that, you ask? It’s basically one huge compost that can break down everything in just six weeks. The compost is then used in the UK as a soil improver. 

If you’d like to learn more about where your recycling goes, just follow the link here

*This information is up to date as of 16th March 2022.

Join our milkround

We hope this helps uncomplicate Salford’s recycling rules and makes it easier to sort through your waste. We know recycling isn’t the answer to the waste crisis, but it’s a step in the right direction. 

If you’re all about finding waste-free ways to enjoy a whole range of meals, you’re gonna love our plastic free deliveries. Our milkies can bring all of your grocery essentials straight to your door, up to three times a week. So whether you’re needing a milk delivery or a bakery delivery, you can get started by signing up, placing at least one repeat order and picking a delivery date that suits you! It’s really that easy.

Our Mission here is to show the world just how simple it can be to make eco-conscious decisions that help save both the polar bears and you from the hassle of grocery shopping at the supermarket. Have we got your attention, yet? Discover more about our waste-fighting groceries and doorstep deliveries and see How It Works. 

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