Recycling works only when the materials collected can actually be sorted and sold. Contamination with food, the wrong plastics, or items that jam machinery makes that harder and more expensive.
Local rules vary, so always check your council or municipality’s guidance. These mistakes cause problems almost everywhere.
Items that often should not go in
- Greasy pizza boxes and food-soiled paper
- Plastic bags and film, which tangle sorting machines
- Disposable coffee cups with plastic linings
- Batteries, which can cause fires in collection lorries
- Nappies, textiles, and garden hoses
Rinse, but do not scrub
Containers should be empty and given a quick rinse. They do not need to be spotless. A thin film of residue is fine; half a jar of sauce is not.
Keep items loose
Do not bag recycling unless your local service asks you to. Items in tied bags are often treated as rubbish. Flatten boxes so they take up less space.
Find the right route for tricky items
Many supermarkets collect soft plastics and batteries. Electronics, light bulbs, and paint usually have separate collection points. Charity shops and reuse groups take items still in working order.
Reduce first
Recycling uses energy and is never perfectly efficient. Buying less packaging and reusing what you have saves more than recycling it afterwards.
This is general sustainability information. Recycling, composting, and disposal rules vary by municipality — check local guidance. Cost and energy savings are estimates and depend on your home and usage.