Help us save £90,000 a year!
Waste companies reject contaminated loads
Just a little non-recyclable material in a delivery can spoil the entire load.
This means:
- what was clean, dry material is no longer suitable for recycling
- we pay an extra cost for removing it
- tonnes of good material going to landfill, or to energy from waste.
We all need to know how to avoid this.
What can contaminate a delivery of waste?
Food scraps
- Rinse out plastic and metal containers. No need to scrub them with detergent, but too much food residue can spoil a whole load.
Liquids
- Empty and rinse all bottles and cartons.
Greasy pizza boxes
- Oil that’s seeped into the cardboard means the fibre can’t be recycled.
- However, the lid of the box is often clean. Tear this off and put it in your blue bin.
- If you have a garden, the whole box can be composted!
Plastic bags
- These can plug up sorting machinery. Put them in your grey bin.
Used nappies
- Disposable nappies are made of several materials, so can’t be recycled.
- After use, they contain human waste. They must go in your grey bin.
What else can’t we recycle?
- Tissue and kitchen roll
- Plastic wrap, cling film, bubble wrap
- Crisp and sweetie wrappers
- Polystyrene
- Hard plastic: toys, coat hangers, plant pots etc.
We could spend another £90,000 on essential council services if everyone recycled properly!
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