A binman has issued a stark warning to households across the UK: placing just one common item in your recycling bin could result in your entire waste load being left behind.
The Simple Mistake That Halts Collections
While putting the bins out might seem straightforward, contamination of recycling is a major issue that can lead to collections being refused. A waste operative, known online as The No1 Binman, has highlighted a key culprit: carrier bags and plastic films. In a recent social media clip, he explained that not all plastic is treated the same by local councils.
"Most of them just take normal bottles, or tins and stuff like that in your plastic bin," he stated. "They won't take anything like carrier bags, black bags, they also won't take any films." The reason is that these soft plastics can tangle and damage the machinery at recycling centres, contaminating entire loads of otherwise recyclable material.
Why Can Binmen Reject Your Rubbish?
It may come as a surprise, but binmen are within their rights to refuse a collection under specific circumstances. The primary reasons are contamination of recycling bins, excessive waste (which is too heavy or placed beside the bin), or bins not being presented correctly according to council rules.
While local authorities have a duty to collect household waste, they can refuse on grounds of safety, contamination, or non-compliance with published guidelines. The presence of prohibited items like carrier bags is a classic example of contamination that can lead to your bin being skipped.
Where Should You Take Your Soft Plastics?
The solution is not to put carrier bags, bread bags, or plastic films in your home recycling bin. Instead, these soft plastics can be recycled at dedicated collection points, commonly found at larger supermarket chains. Stores like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and Waitrose often provide in-store drop-off bins specifically for these materials.
The binman emphasised that the rules are set by recycling centres and local councils, not the collection crews themselves. "Every recycling centre is different," he noted. "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."
His final advice is to always check your local council's website for precise guidelines, as regulations can vary significantly from one area to another. Taking a moment to separate your waste correctly ensures your recycling is processed and helps keep the collection service running smoothly for everyone.
