S

Sawdust/Straw/Hay

See Animal Bedding

Scrap metal

Can usually be sold to scrap metal merchants. You can also take it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. If you use a scrap metal merchant to collect your unwanted metal, make sure they are legally compliant and that they have the appropriate `waste transfer` paperwork in place or you could be liable if your waste is illegally flytipped.

Sewing machines /sewing accessories/scissors/tape measures/needles/thread etc

Some are accepted by Tools for Self Reliance. Further details are provided on their website. If a sewing machine is broken and can`t be fixed then please make sure it is disposed of in the electricals skip at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Shoes

Some charity shops accept them, please see our Charity Shop Reuse Map They can also be recycled in the clothes banks at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre and some Recycle Points. Remember to tie them together as they can easily get separated.

Sofas/Settees

See furniture

Soil

See Building / Renovation / DIY Waste/ Hardcore /Rubble/ Bricks

Spectacles

See glasses

Stamps

Many charities benefit from the donation of stamps, contact your favourite charity to see if they can benefit from reusing them.

Straws

Single use plastic straws were banned from sale in the UK in Oct 2021 and have mostly been replaced by paper straws instead. Straws are generally single use items - why not buy reusable metal straws then you can even take them with you when you are out and about. Please place used straws in your general waste bin.