Recycling bin

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Recycle station in Oxford, England

A household recycling bin issued by the local council

A recycling bin (or recycle bin) is a container used to hold recyclables before they are taken to recycling centers. Recycling bins exist in various sizes for use in homes, offices, and large public facilities. Separate containers are often provided for paper, tin or aluminum cans, and glass or plastic bottles.

Many recycling bins are designed to be easily recognisable, and are marked with slogans promoting recycling on a blue or green background. Others are intentionally unobtrusive. Bins are sometimes different colors so that recyclers may differentiate between the types of materials to be placed in them. Blue bins usually indicate metals and plastics and green indicate papers.

Recycling bins are a common element of municipal kerbside collection programs, which frequently distribute the bins to encourage participation.

See also

• Litter
• Recycling