Households must follow strict council recycling rules or risk having their bin collection refused over a common mistake. A binman says rubbish won’t be collected if a simple item is spotted inside
Getting your bins out for collection is a chore we all face, but they could be left behind if inappropriate items are discovered inside. What you may not realise is that there are stringent regulations people must adhere to in order to ensure their waste is properly collected each week.
The guidance was recently provided by a refuse collector, known as The No 1 Binman on TikTok, who regularly shares useful tips about bin collections. According to him, straightforward errors can stop rubbish from being taken, leaving you with both an eyesore and a foul-smelling issue, particularly during the warmer months.
It’s not the only expert advice of this nature to be issued either. Previously, residents were warned to stop putting a common item in their food waste bins as well.
In a video posted online, he explained there are some extremely important regulations people must follow regarding plastic recycling. It’s not as straightforward as simply tossing it in the recycling bin.
This is because various types of plastic exist. You need to understand the distinctions before disposing of it, or you could end up with a headache.
He said: “Plastic, not all plastic is the same. Ok, so you have thin plastics, you have soft plastics, you have hard plastics, and it depends on the council which they actually take.
“Most of them just take normal bottles, or tins and stuff like that in your plastic bin. [They are] the only things they’ll take. They won’t take anything like carrier bags, black bags, they also won’t take any films.
“All that sort of stuff, it ruins the machines they send the stuff to. Every recycling centre is different, so they get told what they can take and what they can’t take, and they’re the ones who make the rules. Not the binmen.
“It’s not our choice. We just get told. So, if there are any plastics that you’re unsure about, maybe ask your council website or maybe you can ask the binmen. They might know.”
So, it’s vital you’re well informed before taking any action. Getting to grips with the process could benefit you in more ways than one.
Can binmen refuse to collect your rubbish?
You might not realise it, but refuse collectors can actually turn down your waste. This commonly occurs if your recycling is contaminated, deemed excessive (too heavy or bags left beside the bin) or if the bin hasn’t been presented properly.
It’s worth bearing in mind that they are generally obliged to collect household waste unless there’s a legitimate reason not to. This is because councils have a duty to provide the service.
When they do refuse to collect, it’s typically down to safety concerns, contamination or failure to adhere to council guidelines. Leaving “side waste”, for example, can cause issues.
However, it’s important to note that carrier bags should not be placed in your household recycling. Despite being recyclable, they must be taken to designated collection points, which are commonly found at larger supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose.
Supermarkets offer in-store drop-off points for “soft plastics” such as bread bags, films and pouches. Should this type of item be found in your rubbish, refuse collectors are within their rights to leave it behind, as it risks contaminating the entire load.
It’s always advisable to check your local council’s website for guidance, as the rules can vary considerably from one area to another. Regulations can sometimes differ significantly between councils.
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