To recycle, or not to recycle (and how) - an A-Z guide

Examples: Deodorant, hairspray, air freshener.

Please Remember: Only empty aerosol cans can be recycled. Because aerosol cans are pressurized, they explode if they are exposed to high heat or crushed. If they have alternative instructions for waste disposal, please follow them.

Examples: Kitchen foil and some chocolate foil wrappers.

Please remember: Scrunch foil into a ball roughly the size of a tennis ball as small bits may get lost down the sides of recycling machinery. Left-over liquid or food residue can contaminate, and stick to other recyclables, so please empty and clean your containers. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do.

Hints and tips:  Do the scrunch test, similar to wrapping paper, if it bounces back, it is not recyclable.

https://www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/batteries-1.

Examples: Household appliance batteries

Please remember: Elements in batteries are extremely hazardous to both the environment and human health, and are able to permeate into the ground soil and thus water supplies when they are placed into landfill. For this reason, placing them in your household bin is not safe.

Hints and Tips: Use rechargeable batteries instead, and avoid battery operated toys, lights, and gadgets, opting for plug in or solar products instead.

Facts:

• It takes 50x more energy to make a battery than the finished product produces.
• Only 27% of batteries are recycled in the UK, resulting in more than 20,000 tonnes of battery waste straight to the landfill.

Examples: Bed linen and blankets. This does not include duvets or pillows.

Please remember: Please take these to your local textiles bank collection, donate them to charity if they are still in good condition, or book for a free home textiles collection.

Hints and Tips: Textiles do not belong in your recycling bin, and will cause contamination, so please follow the advice above, or put the items in your refuse bin.

Examples: Compostable coffee cups, bags, take-away food containers, vegan galaxy chocolate inner packaging.

As these plastics cannot be distinguished from regular plastic by sorting equipment in recycling plants, and the material will not compost in current food or garden waste facilities, these items must be placed in your refuse bin, even if they state on the packaging to put them with you garden or food waste.

For more information, visit the WasteAware website.

Biscuit/Chocolate Tins, Tubs, and Trays belong with your RECYCLING.

 Examples: Quality Street tins and tubs, and inner trays from biscuit boxes.

Please remember: Labels can be left on. Please remove the tray from the box before recycling them both. Try the scrunch test with foil wrappers, it if bounces back it cannot be recycled and belongs in your refuse bin. 

Hints and Tips: You could always reuse these for storage. 

Blister Packs belong in your REFUSE bin.

Examples: Plastic packs containing paracetamol, and other medication.

Bubble wrap belongs in your REFUSE bin.

Please remember: Bubble wrap can be recycled at some supermarkets, in their carrier bag and plastic film collection points. https://www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/plastic-film

Hints and Tips: Save bubble wrap you receive for re-packaging your own items.

Examples: Cereal boxes, delivery boxes, egg boxes, cardboard sleeves, corrugated cardboard, and cardboard tubes.

Please remember: Please flatten before recycling. and remove plastic inserts, polystyrene and tape. If cardboard in contaminated with food or liquid, please put in in your refuse bin.

Hints and tips: Flatten them before putting them in your bin to save space.

Cardboard egg boxes belong with your RECYCLING.

Examples: Cereal boxes, delivery boxes, egg boxes, cardboard sleeves, corrugated cardboard, and cardboard tubes.

Please remember: Please flatten before recycling. and remove plastic inserts, polystyrene and tape. If cardboard in contaminated with food or liquid, please put in in your refuse bin.

Hints and tips: Flatten them before putting them in your bin to save space.

Cardboard sandwich boxes belong in your REFUSE bin.

Examples: Meal Deal sandwich box

Please Remember: Leftover food can make other recyclables dirty, so please empty them before recycling.

Hints and Tips: Why not make your sandwiches at home and use a reusable lunch box? It will save you money and reduce your waste!!

Fact: ‘Lunch on the go’ habit generates 11 billion items of packaging waste every year.