A to Z of reusing, recycling and waste disposal

Bubble wrap is useful in the garden as it can be used to protect plants from frost. Bubble wrap can be recycled by putting it in your green recycling bin or taking it to your nearest bring site or recycling centre. It is recycled into new plastic products.

Bricks and other building materials can be cleaned and used for a wide variety of projects around the house or garden for example paths, edging, raised beds, compost heaps or barbeques. Bricks* and rubble* can be taken to your nearest recycling centre and put in the skips marked Bricks and Rubble. These items will be used for roads and surface cover on landfill sites. *Restrictions apply for disposing of some types of rubbish at our household recycling sites including bricks and rubble. To find out more please see our guide to DIY waste disposal.

Please consider donating large furniture items that are in reasonable condition and working electrical appliances to local re-use organisations (please note mattresses and three piece suites will need a fire label). Many of these organisations will come and collect them from your home. Freecycle is also another way to pass your unwanted items to others who may need them. If your unwanted items are not suitable to be used again, you can take them to your nearest recycling centre. If you are unable to do this, you can book a bulky waste collection online. These items will be recycled where possible.

If you have an electric oil-filled radiator that is in good working order, you can donate it to a local reuse organisation. You can also take it to the Revive Leeds re-use shop at the Kirkstall or Seacroft recycling centre. If you are replacing a broken electric radiator, the retailer supplying your new appliance should offer you a take back service. You can recycle your electric radiator by taking it to your nearest recycling centre. If you are unable to do this, you can book a bulky waste collection online. If it is a radiator from a central heating system, you need to take it to your nearest recycling centre, where you can put it in the scrap metal container.

If you have a radio that is in good working order, you can donate it to a local reuse organisation. You can also take it to the Revive Leeds re-use shop at the Kirkstall or Seacroft recycling centre. If you are replacing a broken radio, the retailer supplying your new appliance should offer you a take back service. Alternatively, you can recycle your radio by taking it to your nearest bring site with a WEEE bank (see W for a list of sites) or to your nearest recycling centre, where you can put it in the small electrical waste container.

If you have a record player that is in good working order, you can donate it to a local reuse organisation. You can also take it to the Revive Leeds re-use shop at the Kirkstall or Seacroft recycling centre. Alternatively, you can recycle your record player by taking it to your nearest bring site with a WEEE bank (see W for a list of sites) or to your nearest recycling centre, where you can put it in the small electrical waste container.