Let's Waste Less frequently asked questions

Can I visit a recycling centre in a van?

You can, but you will need to have an e-permit prior to visiting a site.

My bin has not been collected

Please contact your local council as they are the ones responsible for collections.

Can I put any type of plastic in my green recycling bin?

The only plastics that can be recycled in your green bin are bottles, pots, tubs and trays. If they have had food or drinks in them, they are recyclable. Please do not put hard plastics such as toys, furniture or other household items in your green bin as they will not be recycled. More information on what to put in your green bin.

Do I need to wash my cans, and jars before recycling?

Yes please, although a quick rinse to remove food residues will be okay.

Can I put food waste into my garden waste bin so it can be turned into compost?

No, as the contents of the garden waste bins are taken to a windrow composting plant, which means that it is composted outside and food waste can cause issues. Since the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2000 food and garden waste can only be composted together in contained facilities such as anaerobic digestion. More information on composting.

Why don’t you collect aluminium foil anymore?

Since changing to mechanised sorting it is harder to segregate foil from the other recyclables. Also it tends to be contaminated with food, so is of no value.

Can I recycle shredded paper?

You can, but please do not put it loose in your green bin as it sticks to other materials and makes them difficult to recycle as well as cause issues in the sorting facility. Put any shredded paper in either home compost bin or use it as bedding for small pets such as hamsters or gerbils. If you want to recycle it please put it in an envelope, paper bag or flattened cardboard box.

Do I need to remove labels and sleeves from bottles and steel food cans?

No, these are all removed during the recycling process.

Do I need to remove the plastic window from envelopes?

No as this is removed during the recycling process.

What is the difference between “biodegradable” and “compostable” packaging?

“Biodegradable” packaging will rot down in a landfill site slightly more quickly than other packaging materials. “Compostable” packaging is either made from potato or corn starch and only some of it is able to be put into a home compost bin.  Please check our Recycling Symbols Explained page to find out what the relevant symbols mean.

What happens if I put the wrong items in my recycling bin?  Will the whole load be rejected?

It’s unlikely that a small amount of the wrong materials will contaminate a whole load of recycling, but some items such as food waste and nappies will contaminate the materials around it and render them unrecyclable.  So we encourage residents to make sure they only put the correct materials in. Check out our recycling page for a comprehensive list of what can and cannot go in the green bin.

I have heard that recycling goes into landfill sites instead of being recycled – is this true?

Not at all – all materials that can be recycled are sent for reprocessing in the UK and made into more items.  Severn Waste Services, who are our waste contractor, have to keep track of where the materials go and report it to the Environment Agency.

What do I do with the new bottles that have the lids attached?

Just recycle them – the lids are attached so that more of them are recycled.

What can I put into the reuse container?

The charities are looking for items that can be sold in their shops such as bric-a-brac and good quality small items of furniture.  Soft furnishings will need to have a current fire safety certificate.

Can I collect items from recycling centres?

Unfortunately not. Once it is placed in a container it is the responsibility of Severn Waste Services.

I run my business from home and have items from my office or business - what do I do with it?

If you run a business from home and produce a lot of waste this will need to be put into a separate bin and paid for as a trade waste collection.  The district councils all run this service or there are private companies who also do collections.

For more frequently asked questions visit the website of our contractor Severn Waste Services as they have more detailed information in response to other questions as well as fact sheets about all the materials they recycle and why specific items can’t be recycled.