Are you recycling the right thing?

Residents are being urged to make sure they put the right thing in the right bin to help reduce the amount of recycling which ends up being lost due to contamination.

Every year about ten per cent of the items households in Wyre Forest put in their green bin have to be sent for incineration instead of to be turned into new products. This is because the bin contains too many things which are non-recyclable or recyclable materials have been spoiled by liquids, grease or food waste.

Over the past 12 months, the top five items Wyre Forest residents incorrectly put into their green bin are:

• Clothing/shoes
• Food waste
• Electrical items
• Wood
• Nappies/Household items (medals, saucepans, sponges, vacuum bag contents)

Residents can help make sure all the contents of their green bin is sent for recycling by following these top tips:

• Rinse items and put them in loose not in carrier bags
• Only put in non-black plastic pots, tubs, bottles and trays  - any other plastic item needs to be kept out of your green bin.
• Food waste should go in your black bin or try and reduce it by following tips at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
• Only metal drink, food and aerosol cans are accepted in the green bin, all other metal can be taken to a Household Recycling Centre
• Donate clothing and other fashion accessories to charity, sell them or pass them on to friends/family or put into a clothing bank.
• Nappies, used or otherwise, should always go in the black bin

Full details about what goes in which bin and how to reduce waste can be found at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/recyclingguide.

Councillor Nicky Martin, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Health, Wellbeing and Democratic Services said:

“While we are really pleased at how the residents of Wyre Forest have embraced recycling and are trying their best to do the right thing, there are issues around non-recyclables going into the green bins.  We would urge residents to check the Lets Waste Less website for the correct materials and if in doubt, leave it out.”

Let’s Waste Less is currently running a zero waste campaign on social media, using #LetsWasteLess. The council is posting hints and tips on how people can reduce waste and increase their recycling.