Baffled Brits are still confused about what materials can and cannot be recycled and are failing to recycle basic items including food (81 per cent), newspapers (65 per cent), and paper (59 per cent). Nearly half (42 per cent), of 2,000 adults polled, are worried that they do not recycle correctly due to a myriad of myths and misconceptions – with eight in ten households still missing simple items.
Other recyclable materials that are still being sent to the general waste bin include aluminium foil (73 per cent) and wine bottles (67 per cent), while only two in five (42 per cent) remember to break down their cardboard boxes for pick-up. And just under one in five simply can't be bothered to try – and pop everything in the normal rubbish bin, instead.
But one in four say they do not feel educated enough about the impact their recycling habits could have on the environment. This was put to the test in a video where members of the public were challenged on what you can and can't recycle – with some insightful results.
Charlotte White, from Robinsons, which commissioned the research ahead of Recycle Week, said: “Clearly, the large majority of Brits try their best when it comes to recycling, but it’s not always simple when it comes to knowing what you can and can’t recycle. There are many myths that can add to the confusion when deciding what to put in your boxes for your collection, or what you can or cannot take to a recycling centre.
“However, we hope we can help with the insight from the experts, to give some clarity on the everyday items that you can recycle with confidence to help do your bit.”
The study also found a quarter of adults admitted their recycling boxes are only ever half full when it comes to bin day. And while two-thirds try to recycle as much as they can, 55 per cent are still very unclear about what can be collected, and what can’t.
Other items likely to be popped into the main rubbish bin include bulbs, compost, grass clippings, and pizza boxes. And others don’t think to recycle magazines, envelopes, or aluminium foil – all of which can be easily recycled.
But three in ten adults often find items they have put in their recycling boxes are still there after the collection has taken place – as they weren’t deemed suitable. Busy schedules are cited as a reason for 24 per cent not to organise items into their bins each week.
And one in five (21 per cent) said their children are more likely to educate them on their impact on the planet. Robinsons has teamed up with Biffa's waste strategy and packaging expert, Roger Wright, to create 10 handy hacks on how to recycle effectively.
Roger said: “In the UK, our recycling habits have plateaued, with roughly only 50 per cent of the things that could be recycled, actually getting recycled. There are lots of reasons for this, but we feel it needs more intervention from brands and retailers to incentivise or gamify good habits in this respect, in order to move the dial.
“Recycle Week is a great time to shine a light on this situation, to educate and enable people to do more. It’s also really important that we educate consumers around how to recycle more effectively.
“The biggest problem for a recycling facility is contamination – when things like wood, food, green waste, aggregates, polystyrene, nappies, and general waste are put out for recycling. When too much contaminated material is collected, it potentially prevents the whole load from being recycled. Some of these items can also clog or damage machinery.
“Recycling needs to be superseded in some areas by more attractive reuse and refill business models, or supported by deposit return type schemes on anything that can only ever be recycled.”
To find out what you can recycle in your area, visit here.
ROGER WRIGHT'S ADVICE FOR RECYCLING:
- What packaging is best for recycling? Packaging made from a single material, such as hard plastic (e.g. drinks bottles), cardboard, aluminium, metal, or glass, is really easy to recycle. While certain cartons made from layered cardboard, soft plastic, and aluminium are technically recyclable, it’s a difficult process to separate out the component parts. Baby food, pet food, and detergent pouches can be recycled, along with plastic bags and wrappings, at selected retailers. Otherwise, these need to be put in the waste bin.
- What do I do with old batteries? Please don’t put old batteries in the bin. If damaged, they could start a fire. You may be able to put them out for collection by placing them in a clear plastic bag tied to your bin, but do check with your local council first. There are also often collection points for batteries in many shops and offices.
- Should I rinse out empty cans, squeezy bottles, and other containers? Yes, as any food left inside will contaminate the recycling process. Pizza boxes, for example, should only be recycled if there’s no food left on the cardboard – a little grease is fine. The same goes for food trays and tin foil.
- Can plastic squash bottle tops be recycled? Yes, but please leave them screwed to the bottle as they have a higher chance of being recycled. If they go in separately, they’re likely to be screened out due to their small size.
- What's the best thing to do with old shopping bags? Plastic shopping bags, bubble wrap, and plastic film can be recycled at most major supermarkets.
- Can I recycle polystyrene packaging? Unfortunately, polystyrene can’t be recycled, so please place it in your general waste. If there’s a lot of it, you can dispose of it at your nearest household waste centre.
- Aerosol cans are made of metal, so can they be recycled? Empty and completely depressurized aerosols can go into the recyclable bin, but please don’t crush or flatten them. If the lid is plastic, you should remove it and pop into the recycling separately.
- What bin is best for birthday and Christmas wrapping paper? Do the scrunch test! Crumple the paper into a ball and then open your hand. If it remains scrunched up it can likely be recycled, but if it bounces back into its original shape, it can't be recycled. On greetings cards, remove any parts that contain plastic, glitter, or unidentifiable embellishments, and dispose of these in your general waste bin, before recycling the rest.
- Can takeaway coffee cups be recycled? Coffee cups are not normally accepted in household recycling collection schemes, but can be returned for recycling at some high street coffee shops. Better still, take advantage of the discounts offered by many shops by taking along your own re-usable cup.
- Can I recycle coloured hard plastics? If you can safely pour something down the sink or the toilet, like shampoo or detergent, the bottles themselves are then easily recycled. While clear plastic bottles for most soft drinks, squash, and milk are transformed back into bottles, coloured hard plastic packaging can still be turned into new objects, like paint trays, garden furniture, guttering, and drainpipes.
TOP 20 ITEMS BRITS AREN’T RECYCLING – AND HOW YOU CAN DO SO EFFECTIVELY:
- Fluorescent bulbs – take these back to your Household Recycling centre to be safely recycled
- Compost – is great for the garden, or place into the kerbside green waste bin if you have one
- Food – can be put in food waste collections where available
- Grass clippings – place into the kerbside green waste bin if you have one, or take these to your local recycling centre
- Aluminium foil – remove any food residue first before recycling at home
- Pizza boxes – remove any food residue first before recycling at home
- Milk bottles – empty, rinse, and pop the top back on before recycling
- Food containers – empty, rinse, and remove any food residue
- Wine bottles – empty, rinse
- Magazines – remove any plastic packaging and place in paper bin
- Yoghurt pots – empty, rinse, and remove any residue
- Newspapers – remove any plastic packaging and place in paper bin
- Plastic pots – empty, rinse, and remove any food residue first
- Olive oil bottles – ensure they are empty first, then recycle with other glass
- Envelopes – place in paper bin
- Metal/aluminium cans – empty, rinse
- Paper – valuable recyclable material only when clean. If paper is brown, it should be placed with card
- Cardboard boxes – break down and place in recycling bin. Remove any glitter or plastics on greetings cards, and place these in general waste before recycling
- Drinks cans (beer, soft drinks etc.) – empty, rinse
- Plastic bottles – empty, rinse, and pop the plastic cap back on
