Find places to recycle paper near you

Find a nearby place for paper

Set your location to search close to home. The finder only shows places linked to this item.

How to recycle paper

Keep paper clean and dry. Remove plastic wrapping and large non-paper parts.

Possible recycling routes

Paper and card banksBring banks and recycling pointsHousehold waste recycling centres

Prepare paper for recycling

• Remove plastic sleeves
• Keep small paper together
• Shred sensitive documents only as much as needed

What must stay out

Keep these items separate and check the site rules before you travel.

• Wet paper, tissues, wipes and paper towels are not dry paper recycling
• Receipts and laminated paper can be excluded
• Shredded paper rules vary

Types of site to check

These site types can list paper. Each provider sets its own limits and access rules.

• Paper and card banks

  Public containers for clean paper and cardboard. Some sites use one mixed container while others keep paper and card separate.

• Bring banks and recycling points

  Small public recycling sites with separate containers for selected materials. They are often in supermarket, council and community car parks.

• Household waste recycling centres

  Council-run sites that accept many types of household recycling and waste. Local rules can cover booking, proof of address, vehicle permits and charges for some DIY waste.

Collection and take-back services

These services may offer another route when a local site does not list the item.

• Recycle Now

  UK recycling guidance with an item directory and a postcode-based recycling locator.

Related item guides

• Books

  Reusable books and damaged paperbacks or hardbacks that are no longer suitable to read.

• Cardboard

  Clean corrugated boxes, cereal boxes, card sleeves and other dry household card.

• Food and drink cartons

  Fibre-based cartons for milk, juice, soup and other food or drink products.

• Wrapping paper

  Paper gift wrap without plastic film, foil, glitter or heavy decoration.

Browse all item guides

Questions about recycling paper

Where can I recycle paper?

Enter your postcode in the local finder to search paper and card banks and bring banks and recycling points and household waste recycling centres near you. Check the provider page before you travel because item lists and access rules can change.

How should I prepare paper for recycling?

Keep paper clean and dry. Remove plastic wrapping and large non-paper parts.