Things You Must Never Put In Your Recycling Bin

Did you know that placing just one wrong item in your recycling bin can ruin an entire batch of recyclable materials? Recycling is a simple yet powerful way to reduce waste and protect the environment, but many UK residents unknowingly make mistakes that can contaminate whole collections or damage recycling facilities. With local councils working tirelessly to ensure recyclable materials are properly reused, the impact of our choices in recycling is more significant than ever, that is, it’s crucial to understand what not to recycle in the UK.

In this blog, we'll highlight common non-recyclable items and provide tips for adopting proper recycling habits.

Why Proper Recycling Matters?

When we recycle incorrectly, it doesn't just impact our own waste – it can disrupt the entire recycling process. Placing non-recyclable items in your recycling bin can have serious consequences. If these materials end up in the bin, they can contaminate an entire load of recyclables, causing the whole batch to be sent to landfill instead of being processed and reused.

Furthermore, items such as plastic bags or electronics can damage machinery, causing expensive repairs and delays.

Incorrect recycling can also damage machinery, causing delays and expensive repairs. Items like batteries or electronics pose safety risks to workers and create environmental hazards if handled improperly. With the UK’s goals to reduce landfill waste and carbon emissions, every household has a role to play. Following recycling rules and knowing what not to put in your recycling bin in the UK, is just as important as knowing what to recycle. It helps to ensure that resources are managed efficiently, benefiting both the environment and local communities.

Top Things to Avoid in Your Recycling Bin

Here’s a list of the most common items you can’t recycle in the UK, along with alternatives for proper disposal.

Plastic Bags and Plastic Film

Plastic bags and films, while convenient, are problematic for recycling facilities. They often get tangled in the machinery, causing delays, breakdowns, and costly repairs. Even if your council allows recycling of plastic bottles and containers, plastic bags are typically not accepted.

Solution: Most supermarkets in the UK now offer dedicated plastic bag recycling points. Alternatively, switch to reusable bags to reduce your plastic waste.

Food Waste

Food waste can spoil a batch of recyclables. Even small amounts of leftover food in containers can contaminate other materials, rendering the entire load unrecyclable. This contamination increases landfill use and wastes recycling efforts.

Solution: Rinse any food containers before placing them in the recycling bin. Any leftover food should be put in your food waste bin or composted at home.

Batteries

Batteries contain chemicals like lead, cadmium, and mercury that can be hazardous if not disposed of correctly. When placed in your recycling bin, they can leak toxins and even cause fires at recycling plants, posing risks to workers and equipment.

Solution: Most UK supermarkets and recycling centres provide collection points for used batteries. Always recycle them separately at these designated locations.

Shredded Paper

Although paper is recyclable, shredded paper presents challenges. The small pieces can easily get lost in the recycling process or clog sorting machinery. Additionally, the fibres in shredded paper are often too short to be recycled into new paper.

Solution: Shredded paper is great for composting, or you can use it as packing material. Some recycling facilities may accept shredded paper if it's placed in a clear, labelled bag.

Glassware and Ceramics

Items like drinking glasses, Pyrex, and ceramics are made from different types of glass than bottles and jars, with higher melting points. This means they can’t be processed in the same way and will contaminate the recyclable glass stream.

Solution: Broken glassware and ceramics should be disposed of in your general waste bin or taken to a local household waste recycling centre.

Aerosol Cans (Full or Partially Full)

While empty aerosol cans can usually be recycled, those that are full or partially full can be dangerous. Aerosols are pressurised and can explode if exposed to heat during the recycling process, posing a risk to workers and equipment.

Solution: Always ensure aerosol cans are completely empty before placing them in your recycling bin. For partially full cans, take them to a local waste facility that accepts hazardous materials.

Electronics (WEEE)

Electronics, such as old phones, laptops, and appliances, contain valuable metals and components that require specialised recycling. If placed in household recycling bins, they can pose risks due to the complex mix of materials and potential hazards like lithium batteries.

Solution: The UK has dedicated WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling points where you can safely dispose of electronic devices. Many retailers also offer take-back schemes for old electronics.

Polystyrene

Polystyrene, often used for packaging, is not recyclable through standard kerbside collections. It takes hundreds of years to decompose and can’t be processed effectively by most UK recycling facilities, making it a major contributor to landfill waste.

Solution: Dispose of polystyrene in your general waste bin, or check for specialised polystyrene recycling centres. Better yet, opt for packaging alternatives like cardboard or biodegradable materials when possible.

Clothing and Textiles

Clothing, fabrics, and textiles may seem recyclable, but they can’t go in your standard recycling bin. Fabrics tend to get tangled in the sorting machinery, causing issues at recycling facilities.

Solution: Donate unwanted clothes to charity shops or place them in textile recycling banks. Many councils also offer textile recycling services or collection points.

Nappies

Disposable nappies are made from a combination of plastic, absorbent materials, and organic waste, making them impossible to recycle. Placing them in your recycling bin can lead to contamination and additional sorting efforts.

Solution: Nappies should always go in your general waste bin. Some councils offer separate nappy disposal services, so check with your local authority.

Tissues and Paper Towels

Used tissues and paper towels are often contaminated with food waste or germs, making them unsuitable for recycling. Even if they seem clean, the fibres in tissues are typically too weak to be recycled into new products.

Solution: Compost tissues and paper towels if possible, or dispose of them in your general waste bin.

Light Bulbs

While some glass items are recyclable, light bulbs are not. CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and other energy-saving bulbs contain hazardous materials like mercury, which can leak and cause environmental damage.

Solution: Light bulbs should be taken to a designated recycling centre or returned to stores that offer light bulb recycling programs. Many councils also have drop-off points for hazardous waste.

By avoiding these items in your recycling bin and following proper disposal methods, you can help improve the efficiency of the recycling system, reduce contamination, and support environmental sustainability across the UK.

Proper Recycling Habits UK: Best Practices

To avoid common recycling mistakes in the UK, follow these proper recycling habits:

• Check your local council’s recycling guidelines: Recycling rules can vary by area, so make sure you know what can and can’t be recycled where you live.
• Clean items before recycling: Food and liquid residue can contaminate recyclable materials, so always rinse items like jars, cans, and plastic containers before recycling.
• Keep recyclables loose: Avoid placing recyclables in plastic bags. Items should be placed loose in the bin to prevent contamination and ensure they can be easily sorted.
• Stay informed: Recycling guidelines are updated regularly, so staying informed about what your local council accepts is crucial.

Final Thoughts

Proper recycling is more than just a personal responsibility—it’s a collective effort to ensure that our resources are reused and that we’re reducing the environmental impact of our waste. By being mindful of what goes into our recycling bins, we can help make the UK's recycling system more efficient and environmentally friendly. Remember, when in doubt, check your local council’s guidelines to ensure you're recycling correctly.