What are the Correct Recycling Behaviors?

Recycling remains one of the most accessible ways for individuals to make a positive impact. Yet, despite our best intentions, the recycling system faces significant challenges. Let's explore what correct recycling actually looks like and why it matters for both the planet and your pocket.

The Shocking Impacts of Recycling Contamination

In 2018, UK councils sent an alarming 500,000 tonnes of recycling to landfill due to contamination, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). That's half a million tonnes of potentially recyclable materials wasted – an entirely preventable situation. The financial impact is equally concerning. Processing contaminated recycling through a Material Recovery Facility costs around £45 ($58) per tonne, while disposing of waste in an energy-from-waste plant costs approximately £93 ($120) per tonne, according to WRAP's latest gate fee report. This unnecessary expense ultimately falls on taxpayers, which no one likes more taxes especially to be spent on a genuine waste. 

Why Are We Getting Recycling Wrong?

Despite 86% of people caring about recycling and over half wanting to improve their recycling habits (according to a Lavazza poll of 2,000 UK citizens), confusion creates major hurdles:

• Inconsistent rules between local authorities
• Unclear labeling on packaging
• Mixed messages about which materials can be recycled

Nearly a third of people who recycle don't feel confident they're disposing of packaging correctly, and 27% believe their council's communication on recycling is poor, according to a Which? survey. Eight in ten adults report feeling exasperated by "mixed messages" about recyclable materials, which leads to an incredibly frustrating experience at the bin. When people feel frustrated they just don’t want to participate. 

The Three Golden Rules of Recycling

To simplify this complex issue, focus on these three golden rules. These rules stand the test of time. If none of these are true, the item probably isn't recyclable from home:

1. Is it clean and dry? Food residue and liquids contaminate other recyclables.
2. Does it fit in the bin? Oversized items may require special disposal methods.
3. When in doubt, throw it out. It's better to send one recyclable item to landfill than contaminate an entire batch.

Bonus Rule: If it is a soft plastic, it can be recycled at stores or in some local programs that can recycle soft plastics from the curb, but 99% of the time, these stay out of the home bin. 

Regional Differences Matter

Recycling capabilities vary significantly between regions. Some councils excel at educating residents about proper recycling practices, while others lag behind. In fact, 87% of people believe local councils should provide clearer guidance about what they will or won't collect. This inconsistency creates a patchwork of recycling rules that can be difficult to navigate, especially for those who move between different council areas.

How You Can Improve Your Recycling Habits

Learn your local rules. Contact your council directly or check their website for specific recycling guidelines. You can even check Scrapp for accurate product guidance specific to your local council. 

1. Rinse containers. A quick rinse removes most food residue.
2. Keep it dry. Moisture can damage paper and cardboard recyclables.
3. Separate materials when possible. Remove plastic windows from paper envelopes, for example.
4. Check for recycling symbols. But remember, local capabilities may still vary.
5. Use Scrapp to find local disposal options for your waste in one simple-to-use interface

For more detailed information about proper recycling practices and to access tools that can help you recycle more effectively in your area, visit our website at www.scrappzero.com. We're committed to making recycling clearer, more accessible, and more effective for everyone. By following these simple guidelines, you can help ensure that more materials actually get recycled, reducing waste and supporting a more sustainable future. Remember: small individual actions add up to significant collective impact!

Sources

https://www.standard.co.uk/futurelondon/theplasticfreeproject/waste-recycling-councils-recycle-uk-landfill-a4086311.html

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/09/how-good-are-the-uks-councils-at-recycling/

https://wrap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-01/Gate-Fees-Report-2019-20.pdf

https://www.wrap.ngo/resources/report/recycling-tracker-report-2021-behaviours-attitudes-and-awareness-around-recycling