Rubbish
Grey non recyclable bin
What goes in:
- household waste that cannot be recycled
Edinburgh says: This bin is only for household waste that cannot be recycled.
Edinburgh: which bins go out tonight?
Find your bin collection schedule, what goes in each bin, and when it's collected in Edinburgh.
The app does not cover Edinburgh collection dates yet.
What Edinburgh collects
Mixed recycling
Green wheelie bin - mixed recycling
What goes in:
- paper and unwanted mail
- cardboard
- drinks cartons like Tetrapak type
- clean plastic bottles with tops, pots, tubs and trays
- clean cans, tins, foil and empty aerosols
- envelopes
What doesn't go in:
- plastic bags, wrappers, crisp bags and clingfilm
- paper towels
- plastic plant pots and toys
- glass
- batteries and small electrical items
Edinburgh says: Watch how easy it is to use your green bin.
Glass and small electricals
Recycling box - glass and small electricals
What goes in:
- glass bottles and jars
- small electrical items placed on top or next to the box, for example, hairdryers and toasters
- household batteries placed inside a clear bag and on top of the box
- clothing, towels, clean sheets, pairs of shoes, placed inside a plastic bag
What doesn't go in:
- light bulbs, glass dishes, broken glass, ceramics and pyrex
- large electrical items, for example microwaves or larger items
- duvets and pillows
Food waste
Grey food bin - cooked and uncooked food
What goes in:
- beans, pasta, rice and bread
- cakes and bakery items
- dairy items, eggs
- fruit and vegetables including peelings
- meat and fish including bones
- fast food, for example, chips and pizzas
- tea bags and coffee grounds
What doesn't go in:
- liquids including milk and cooking oil
- food packaging
Edinburgh says: Food must be bagged.
Garden waste
Brown wheelie bin - gardening waste
What goes in:
- flowers, plants and weeds
- grass cuttings and leaves
- hedge clippings, twigs and small branches
What doesn't go in:
- animal waste and bedding
- plant pots
- soil and turf
Edinburgh says: Christmas trees should be cut in half and placed beside your brown garden bin in January only.
What Edinburgh says about bin day
-
Edinburgh says put your bin on the kerbside by 6am on your collection day.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says Do not leave your bin on the pavement outwith collection days.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says You must make sure that your bin can be easily seen from the road and you put the right items in the correct bin or box.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says Please show consideration for other pavement users when placing your bin for collection.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says You can use any small plastic bag, such as a carrier bag or a bread bag or a compostable liner.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says Transfer this to your grey kerbside food bin and present it on the kerbside on your collection day each week.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says Do not leave items or bin bags beside the bin or on the street, it is illegal.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says Garden waste registration is closed and will reopen on 1 December 2026.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says You now need to sign in or register with mygovscot or access myaccount to register for the garden waste service.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says Permits cost £45 each for one year, starting in November.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says The 2026 / 2027 service year runs from 3 November 2026 to 31 October 2027.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says We collect your brown bin once every two weeks.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says Your permit must be clearly visible on your bin as we can only empty bins with a valid permit sticker.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
-
Edinburgh says we do not collect garden waste from 14 December 2026 to 10 January 2027.
From Edinburgh's website (checked 2026-10-23)
Find your bin day
Edinburgh dates are not in the app yet - the council guidance on this page still applies.