Black box collections

Following the recent change to the black box collection service, collection calendars have been updated for black box and food waste collections.

One of the key changes to your collection service is that separate vehicles now service your black box, your food caddy and (if you use the service) AHP sacks. This means that if your black box and food waste collections take place on the same day, expect 2 vehicles to visit your property - the vehicles will visit your property at different times during the day.

Should your black box (glass) or caddy (food) not be collected, report any missed collections via My Falkirk.

To help you with your waste-related enquiries, the Council has launched a recycling app. This app provides you with all the information you need to stay up-to-date with your waste collection services, including your collection days. Download the Bins and Recycling app.

Changes to black box items

From 01 October 2024 only glass bottles and jars can be recycled via your black box.

Small electrical items (Small WEEE) and textiles can no longer be placed in the black box. Where black boxes contain textiles or small WEEE after 01 October, the glass will be collected and the textiles/small WEEE will be left within the black box and a contamination sticker will be left by the crew advising of why it was not collected.

Textiles

Recycle textiles at either local recycling points or at a Household Waste Recycling Centres or if in good condition, consider reuse or donation.

Small WEEE

Small electical items can be recycled via the national electrical take-back scheme. Retailers now accept old electrical items for recycling when new ones are purchased, regardless of where the old item was bought. Additionally, small WEEE items can be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre.

How to recycle small electrical items?

Retailers will take back and recycle your old electrical item when you buy a new one, regardless of brand, or whether the item being returned was bought in store, online or via mail order, for more information visit: Recycle your electricals - The retailer take back scheme.

Small electrical items and household batteries can be recycled at your nearest recycling centre.

How to recycle textiles?

Textiles can be recycled at a recycling point, recycling centre or donated to charity shops.

How do I use my black box?

Photograph of plastic bag being used as a liner for the food caddy

Step 1: Collect and prepare your materials for recycling

Photograph of food being scraped from a plate in to the food caddy

Step 2: Place any glass bottles and jars into your black box

Black Box

Photograph of black box filled with glass jars and bottles

The black box is provided to help you recycle glass bottles and jars. We no longer collect small electrical items, household batteries or textiles in the black box, please do not put these materials inside your black box.

What can I put in my black box?

Yes please

  • Glass bottles
  • Glass jars

No thanks

  • Pyrex dishes
  • Window or flat glass
  • Broken glass
  • Drinking glasses
  • Crockery
  • Pots and pans
  • Light bulbs
  • Hairdryers
  • Hair straighteners
  • Radios
  • Irons
  • Kettles
  • Toasters
  • Electrical toys
  • Electrical drills and tools
  • Fairy lights
  • Phone chargers
  • Household batteries (battery sizes A, AA, AAA, C and D)
  • Button batteries (watch batteries, calculator batteries, laptop batteries, mobile phone batteries)

Small and large electrical items can be taken to one of our recycling centres.

Retailers will take back and recycle your old electrical item when you buy a new one, regardless of brand, or whether the item being returned was bought in store, online or via mail order, for more information visit: Recycle your electricals - The retailer take back scheme.

Materials that cannot be recycled in the black box should be taken to one of the recycling centres or put in your green bin.

The following items should be taken to a recycling centre:

  • Light bulbs
  • TVs
  • Computer monitors
  • Microwaves
  • Vacuum cleaners
  • Car/van batteries
  • Power tools
  • Cordless appliances
  • Power packs
  • Motorised toys
  • Washing machines

Retailers will take back and recycle your old electrical item when you buy a new one, regardless of brand, or whether the item being returned was bought in store, online or via mail order . To find out more about the take back in store visit the Recycle your electricals website.

Retailers must provide the in-store service for free.

Textile Recycling

We have a network of textile recycling points throughout the area.

What can I recycle at the textile recycling points?

  • Clothing
  • Towels
  • Blankets and curtains
  • Shoes (tied in pairs)
  • Handbags and belts
  • Quilt covers, pillow cases and sheets (NOT duvets)

Please ensure that all textile items are dry, shoes are tied into pairs and that a knot is tied in the top of the bag to keep the textiles dry.

Retailer Takeback Scheme

There are a growing number of takeback schemes for textiles such as e.g. Dunelm or Marks & Spencer. Dunelm in Falkirk have online and instore recycling facilities for:

  • all home textiles (excluding duvets and pillows)
  • clothing
  • shoes
  • accessories, including reusable and non-reusable items.

For more information visit the Dunelm take back scheme webpage.