We surveyed three council waste officers and asked them what residents get wrong most often. The answers were unanimous — and some might surprise you.
1. "You have to wash everything spotless"
A quick rinse is fine. The sorting facility can handle a bit of residue. What it can't handle is a jar full of leftover curry — that contaminates an entire bale of paper.
2. "Take the lids off"
Actually, leave them on. Loose lids fall through the sorting machinery and end up in landfill. Screwed onto the bottle, they get recycled with it.
3. "Black plastic can't be recycled"
This used to be true. Modern optical sorters can now detect black plastic. Most councils accept it. Check yours — it's probably fine.
4. "Pizza boxes are never recyclable"
A bit of grease is OK. A box that's basically translucent with oil? Compost bin. The key is: would you put a piece of paper on it and expect it to stay clean?
5. "Shredded paper goes in the recycling bin"
This one varies hugely by council. Some accept it in a clear bag, some reject it entirely because the strips jam the machinery.
6. "If in doubt, put it in recycling"
This is called "wish-cycling" and it's one of the biggest problems. Contaminated recycling loads get rejected and sent to landfill. When in doubt, general waste is the safer bet.
7. "It all goes to the same place anyway"
It doesn't. UK recycling rates are independently audited. Your council publishes where your recycling actually goes. It matters, and it works.