Recycle glass at home with kerbside collections
From 1 January 2026, residents across Cherwell will be able to recycle glass bottles and jars using their blue recycling bin or approved recycling sacks.
This new service makes it even easier to recycle and helps us reduce waste, save energy, and protect the environment. Glass can be recycled again and again without losing quality. By collecting it at kerbside:
- It makes recycling easier for households.
- It reduces the amount of waste going to general waste.
- It cuts carbon emissions and reduces the use of raw materials.
Together, we can make a big difference to Cherwell’s recycling rates.
Glass you can put in your blue recycling bin
You can recycle:
- Glass bottles (all colours)
- Glass jars (e.g., jam jars, sauce jars)
Please rinse items before placing them in your recycling bin to remove food or drink residues. There is no need to remove labels or lids.
If your bin is full, please place extra glass bottles and jars safely in a cardboard box next to it. DO NOT leave any loose or broken glass as it’s unsafe and will not be collected.
If you have recycling sacks instead of a bin, please ensure all bottles and jars are placed inside the sack and that there is NO loose or broken glass left out.
Glass you must not put in your blue recycling bin
Do NOT recycle
- Pyrex or heatproof glass (such as oven dishes)
- Drinking glasses, tumblers or wine glasses
- Ceramics or crockery
- Light bulbs or fluorescent tubes
- Window panes or mirrors
- Broken glass (wrap securely and place in general waste bin)
Not sure? Then check the Waste Wizard to find out what the best option is for your item.
Bottle banks
Bottle banks will be removed gradually as kerbside glass collections are rolled out. We recognise there may still be some need for “on-the-go” recycling, so a small number may remain temporarily while the changes are reviewed.
What happens to the glass after it's collected
After your glass bottles and jars are collected from the kerbside, they are taken to a specialised facility called a Materials Recovery Facility. The following processes are then carried out:
- Sorted: The glass is separated from other materials.
- Cleaned: Any contamination is removed.
- Crushed: The glass is broken down into small pieces called cullet.
- Recycled: The cullet is sent to manufacturers to be turned into new bottles, jars, or used in construction and other products.
Recycling glass saves energy, reduces carbon emissions, and keeps valuable materials in use.