Now we could get into a whole thing about it being not all that great, as most recycling technology is still very energy intensive, and so not that great for the planet, and that actually re-using or refurbishing a product is way better.... But at the end of the day, recycling is still a massive step above sending your waste to landfill.
Even with that though, lies a problem, as there are many things we could be recycling that we don't, and conversely, many things we do try and recycle but probably shouldn't!
So here are a couple of lists to try and help you through this minefield - although remember, some of this may be dependent on your local authority rules, and there are often other ways around the problem.
Things you shouldn't be recycling:
Following the revelation recently the new eco-friendly drinking straws from McDonald's aren't actually recyclable, this is a good place to start. Well actually, they are technically recyclable from a material point of view, it's just that it seems they are too thick to go through the processing, and so currently end up in general waste - but I digress. The thing here, is to always be somewhat cautious.
- Sticky notes: handy to have around to write a reminder on, but pain in the neck to recycle. Not all places take them as the adhesive used on them can't always be easily removed.
- Check your local facilities.
- Toothpaste and other squeezable tubes: these often have a separate thin layer of aluminium included, and it is a challenge to separate that from the main plastic tube.
- Visit Terracycle for more on their project with Colgate to collect oral care products.
- Drinking glasses and pyrex cookware: this is different from normal glass as it is heat treated, meaning it doesn't melt at the same temperature as regular glass items. Pyrex can also have ceramic added to it, and some glass may have traces of lead.
- Shopping receipts: especially the ones printed on that shiny thermoplastic paper, which is coated with bisphenol-A and bisphenol-S.
- Crisp packets: the metallised plastic film is hard to recycle as grease and food residue sticks to it.
- Again, visit Terracycle for more, as they are working with Walkers Crisps to recycle these.
- Salad bags: are made of several different plastic types to help keep the bags airtight, and the produce within fresher for longer.
- Buy unwrapped salad items where possible. Use a local farmers market / farmshop if there is one near you.
- Pringles tubes: these contain no less than 5 different materials, making them the bane of recyclers' lives; metal base, foil top, plastic lid, silver foil lining, cardboard sleeve. It is considered a waste of resource to separate all of these materials out.
- Once again, Terracycle seem to have stepped into the breach to try and help with this.
- Paper straws: as mentioned, the thickness makes them difficult to process.
- Consider buying re-usable metal straws - try the Metal Straw Company.
- Kitchen roll: the wrong type of paper.
- Plastic bags: end up straight in landfill.
- Co-op supermarkets have just launched what they say is the first certified compostible plastic shopping bag.
- Greasy takeaway boxes:
- If you can remove the food-contaminated lining of a box, then the rest should be fine to recycle.
- Photo paper: again chemical treatments make it non-recyclable.
Things you can recycle:
Okay, some of these will be more obvious to some than others - but here is a list of things you may not have realised can be recycled (though don't forget, always double-check before disposing).
- Shampoo / shower gel bottles: make sure you rinse them out and replace the lids.
- Bleach bottles: just ensure they are properly empty first.
- Tissue boxes: remove the plastic insert bit (where the tissues get pulled out from) and flatten.
- Envelopes: just take out the plastic window if it has one.
- Aerosol cans (furniture polish etc.): ensure they are empty and remove the plastic cap (which can be recycled separately).
- Wrapping paper / greeting cards:
- Phone books
- Scrape out food remains from containers; pour out excess liquid.
- Rinse well, but don't use your dishwasher to clean food trays as this is excessive and a waste of resource.
- Crush cans, and squeeze plastic bottles to get out as much air as you can.
- Remove as much excess from packaging as you can;
- Caps, labels, clips, staples, tape etc.
- Always double-check with your local authority on what they will accept on kerbside collections, or at the local municipal facility.
Research:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/16/which-items-cant-be-recycled-plastic-bags-coffee-cups
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49280709
https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-knowledge/facts-and-info/10-things
http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/etiquette.html
http://www.wiseuptowaste.org.uk/
https://metalstrawco.co.uk/
https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/
Nice Post...ricestraw
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