A binman has shared some important advice for people who are struggling to get their rubbish collected. He warned it may not be taken away if a few common items are found in recycling bins
Putting the bins out is a job nobody likes, but you have to make sure you get it right if you want to ensure your waste is collected every week. This is because binmen actually say putting certain items in recycling bins can lead to them leaving your rubbish outside your home, which is something nobody wants to deal with.
One refuse collector, who goes by the name The No 1 Binman on TikTok, recently shared some expert advice that people should be aware of. With Recycle Week taking place across the UK from September 14 to September 20, it’s worth noting to ensure you avoid having to deal with a growing rubbish problem.
It comes after another tip was shared earlier in the year. Placing one common piece of packaging in your recycling waste could also land you in a spot of bother.
Top tips from a binman
There are three items you need to stop putting in your recycling bin, and each one comes with a reason why. It’s easy to get confused about them, but the binman has broken down exactly what you should be doing instead.
In a previous video, he said: “Crisp packets do not belong in your recycling bin. You’re meant to take them to the supermarket and recycle them there, because it’s a different type of plastic.
“Just like carrier bags, just like film, bubble wrap – all that stuff does not go in your recycling. Take it to the tip, they can sometimes dispose of it there differently, or take it to a supermarket.
“There’s loads of stuff. Polystyrene, plastic, but it doesn’t go in your recycling bin, because it takes up too much room and it costs too much money to recycle because there’s barely any plastic in it. It’s mainly air.
“Please check before you put it in your bin. Normally, it’s like tins and bottles. Easy things to put in the recycling.
“Please check before you do it because you don’t want your bin to be contaminated. Don’t be the person who gets their bin rejected when you want it to be emptied.”
The reason binmen can leave waste behind
You might not be aware, but bin collectors have the power to — and frequently do — refuse to take away people’s rubbish. This can occur if bags contain the wrong items.
Beyond refusing contaminated waste, they can also decline to collect rubbish that’s deemed too heavy, or if there’s “side waste” — meaning extra bags or items left alongside the bin. When waste becomes contaminated, it can spoil entire loads and cause harm to sorting facilities.
As a result, putting items in the incorrect bins can lead to rubbish being left behind or flagged for correction. This is exactly why getting it right matters so much; otherwise, you could end up with waste piling up outside your home.
In most parts of the country, crisp packets cannot be recycled through your standard household waste collection. Instead, clean crisp packets should be taken to major supermarkets that have flexible soft-plastic recycling bins located near the entrance.
Carrier bags and bubble wrap must also be disposed of in the same manner. Simply find your nearest drop-off point and make sure they accept the items you’re looking to recycle.
These are the three everyday items you should never put in your recycling bin. If you’re ever in doubt about what can and cannot be recycled, head to your local council’s website for guidance, as the rules can sometimes vary depending on where you live.
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