Why can’t plastic bags be recycled in the blue bin?
Unfortunately we cannot accept bagged-up recycling as the sorting facility where the items from the blue bins go cannot accept them. Bags and bin liners get stuck in the machinery which can cause a lot of problems.
Why can’t crisp packets, plastic wrappers and pet food pouches be recycled in the blue bin even though they have a recycling symbol on?
Currently there is no way to separate them at the sorting facility where the recyclables from the blue bin go and they can get caught in the machinery. Bags and soft plastics such as films, wrappers and crisp packets are recyclable but not in the blue bin. Many supermarkets are now providing in-store recycling facilities for them.
Why can’t all packaging labelled as ‘recyclable’ go in the blue bin?
We can only accept limited items in the blue bin including food and drinks cans, aerosol cans, plastic bottles, plastic food tubs, yogurt pots and margarine tubs, glass bottles and jars, paper, cardboard and drinks cartons.
We cannot recycle any other items because they are not accepted at the sorting facility, and can sometimes cause problems in the sorting process. Scrap metal, clothes/shoes, batteries and electrical items (including chargers) can be recycled at Community Recycling Centres.
Why rinse items when it is going to a sorting site?
Food waste / liquids still in containers can reduce the quality of recyclables, for example paper and cardboard, potentially making them unsuitable for recycling.
What do I do if my blue bin is not emptied and there is red sticker on it?
If your blue bin is not emptied and there is a red sticker on it, there will be item(s) in your blue bin we cannot accept. When you remove the incorrect item(s) we will empty your bin on the next collection day. In the meantime, recyclables can be taken to one of the Community Recycling Centres, or stored somewhere clean and dry until the blue bin has been emptied and then put in the blue bin.