A binman with 13 years' experience has warned households not to put plastic hangers in their recycling bins, as they are a different type of plastic to bottles and containers.
Ashley, who shares waste advice on social media as @theno1.binman, responded to a follower's question about whether plastic hangers can be recycled. His answer was clear: "No," though he acknowledged that "some people do," which is why he addressed it.
Why Plastic Hangers Belong in General Waste
Ashley explained: "They shouldn't be in there, they should be in your general waste bin, because it's a hard plastic, and a different type of plastic to bottles, and containers."
He added that if the hangers are still in working condition, they should be donated to a charity shop, which "I'm sure they'll take them." For those who don't need them, he suggested declining hangers at checkout in stores like Primark or Matalan, saying, "I don't want the hanger."
Broken hangers should also go in the general waste bin, and the same applies to wooden hangers. Ashley noted that recycling centres may have a separate section for them, but advised checking with your local council as rules vary.
Importance of Correct Recycling
Recycling correctly is vital to prevent waste from going to landfill. Wrong items can contaminate entire loads, which may then be rejected and sent to incineration or landfill.
Proper recycling also reduces the need for virgin materials, leading to lower carbon emissions and less environmental damage from extraction and manufacturing.
