Recycling

Recycling Bring Point Information

As well as the Gremista Waste Management Facility and Recycling Centre, there are several recycling points provided by the Shetland Islands Council situated throughout Shetland including Glass Banks, Can Banks, Textile Banks and Waste Oil Banks. To view a detailed map of the locations of these banks then please click here, or view our Recycling Banks Leaflet.

Glass Banks

These are for recycling glass such as jars and bottles. Please do not place light bulbs or high temperature glass products (e.g. Pyrex bowls) in the bank.

Any colour of glass can be added to these banks, please wash out containers before recycling and remember that metal lids can be added to the can recycling banks.

The glass collected is taken to Enviroglass in Cunningsburgh where it is crushed and used in a variety of glass cast products, aggregate and filtration materials. Enviroglass is run by the Shetland Amenity Trust and the profits generated from this social enterprise are reinvested for the benefit of the environment.

For a map showing detailed locations of Glass Banks please click here.

Can Banks

These are for recycling metal waste such as food tins, drink cans, metal jar lids and aerosols.

Please wash out food tins and cans before placing them in the bank, remember that the metal lids from your glass jars and bottles can be added to these banks.

The metal collected is separated into aluminium and steel, these are then baled and sent to a recycling plant for reprocessing.

To view a map showing detailed locations of Can Banks in Shetland please click here.

Textile Bank

These banks are for recycling of all clothing, household textiles (sheets, blankets, towels, curtains etc.) as well as handbags, belts and paired footwear. Please do not add duvets, pillows, soiled or wet rags, carpets, rugs or bric-a-brac.

Please donate your good quality clothes to local charity shops as this reduces carbon production from transportation and helps fund local charity branches. However, if clothes are not suitable for the local charity shop (e.g. damaged or of sentimental value due to bereavement) then please use the textile recycling banks.

The items collected are sent to the scottish mainland for sorting and recycling. Material which is not suitable for reuse is recycled as furniture and mattress filling and industrial wiping cloths.

For a map showing detailed locations of Textile Banks please click here.

Waste Oil Banks

These are for recycling waste engine oils. Please do not add cooking oil, thinners, white spirit, paint or any other chemicals to these banks.

The oil collected is sent to a recycling plant for reprocessing.

To view a map showing detailed locations of Waste Oil Banks in Shetland please click here.