Around eight billion crisp packets are thrown away in the UK every year, yet many people are mistakenly placing them in recycling bins, which could be a huge error. Kelvin Croney, Group Chief Commercial Officer at UK commercial waste broker Waste Managed, explains that although crisp packets resemble plastic packaging, most household recycling collections do not accept them.
Why Crisp Packets Are Hard to Recycle
According to Croney, crisp packets are made up of several materials such as plastic films and metallic layers, making them difficult to recycle in normal systems. Instead of recycling them, he advises placing them in general waste unless a specialist recycling scheme or soft plastic collection point is available. This will prevent contamination in the recycling collection, which can lower the quality of other recyclables and stop some waste from being recycled.
Other Common Items That Cause Recycling Issues
Croney also flagged other items that cause problems, especially during summer months. Handheld electric fans, for instance, have become a summer necessity, with Brits purchasing up to eight million this year, and almost half subsequently ending up in landfill. However, these should not be thrown straight in the bin. Croney warns that many handheld fans contain lithium-ion batteries and electrical components, meaning they should be recycled through dedicated electrical waste schemes rather than placed in general waste or household recycling bins.
Plastic Bottles and Ice Cream Tubs
Of the average 35.8 million plastic bottles used in the UK every day, only 19.8 million are recycled. To recycle these, all you need to do is empty and rinse them out, then place them in the correct recycling bin. Croney says bottles should be taken home if recycling bins are not available, as incorrectly disposed bottles can become litter, wasting a material that could have been recycled. Ice cream tubs are another popular summer item that may be disposed of incorrectly. Many people assume they can be recycled, but this isn't necessarily the case. You just need to check with your local council to find out if you can recycle these tubs. If they can, then before throwing them in the recycling, you must empty and clean the tub to avoid contamination.
Juice Cartons and Final Advice
Like ice cream tubs, juice cartons can be recycled in some locations but not in others. Croney says many cartons can be recycled, but services differ by area. Cartons need special facilities to separate and recycle the layers as they are mostly made from paperboard, plastic and aluminium. If cartons are placed in the wrong recycling bin, they can cause contamination, making recycling harder. It's also important to always empty and rinse the carton before putting it in the recycling, as leftover liquid can contaminate other recyclable materials, reducing the quality and making them harder to process.
