Hints and Tips on Recycling

Information on recycling and how to avoid contamination issues.

Glass gets broken when it is compacted in the back of the collection vehicle. This creates a problem with manual sorting and contaminates other products. Please take glass bottles and jars to a community recycling centre or a local glass recycling point.
Locations can be found on our website - Glass Recycling
Glass Poster (PDF, 32 KB)(opens new window)

We cannot recycle artificial Christmas trees placed in the blue bins. Please either place these in your grey bin or take them to a community recycling centre. Locations can be found on our website.
No artificial Christmas Trees poster (PDF, 74 KB)(opens new window)

We cannot recycle plastic/foil type wrapping paper placed in the blue bins. Please either place this in your grey bin or take it to a community recycling centre. Locations can be found on our website.
No plastic/foil wrapping paper poster (PDF, 5 MB)(opens new window)

We can't recycle clothes or textiles in the blue bin. They become dirty and smelly when contaminated by food and drink waste. They also cause problems the conveyor belt rollers as they wrap round them and the picking lines have to be stopped while they are cut free. Please take these to a recycling centre. Locations can be found on our website.
No clothes or textiles poster (PDF, 37 KB)(opens new window)

All plastic bottles and containers need to be clean before being put in your blue bin. When material is compacted in the back of the collection lorry food and drink can spread over other material. The material is first sorted using a trammel which is like looking inside a slowly spinning washing machine with holes through which smaller items such as cans and plastic bottles fall through. This spinning action can further spread food waste and liquid, so that even if the other material manages to stay clean in the collection vehicle it can become contaminated here. Once paper and card is wet and dirty it can't be cleaned and so will end up being sent to landfill.
Clean and Dry Poster (PDF, 35 KB)(opens new window)

There is an element of hand sorting with the material in the blue bin. If plastic bags are full when they are collected we have no idea what they contain and so it is harder for us to sort the material. It is fine to put empty plastic bags in your blue bin - or to line your food waste caddy if you have one.
Empty Plastic Bags Poster (PDF, 35 KB)(opens new window)

If food or nappies are put in your blue bin the material is compacted in the back of the collection lorry and the contents can spread over other material. The material is first sorted using a trommel which is like looking inside a slowly spinning washing machine with holes through which smaller items such as cans and plastic bottles fall through. This spinning action can further spread food waste and nappies, so that even if the other material manages to stay clean in the collection vehicle it can become contaminated here. Once paper and card is wet and dirty it can't be cleaned and so will end up being sent to landfill.
Please place nappies and pet waste in your grey bin. Food waste should be put in your food caddy where this is offered.
Nappies and Food Waste Poster (PDF, 149 KB)(opens new window)

We cannot recycle any electrical items from the blue bins. Strings of Christmas lights cause particular problems with the conveyor belt rollers as they wrap round them and the picking lines have to be stopped while they are cut free. Please take these to a recycling centre.
No Christmas Lights Poster (PDF, 52 KB)(opens new window)

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