Recycling rules can be confusing, especially when an item looks like it should be recyclable. However, putting the wrong things in can contaminate other recyclable rubbish and could even result in your bin being rejected rather than emptied.
Binman Ashley, who shares advice about rubbish and recycling on TikTok, has warned people to check what they are throwing away rather than simply assuming it can be recycled. Rules can differ between local councils, so households should always check the guidance where they live. Ashley has highlighted six everyday items people should think twice about before putting in their recycling.
Lightbulbs and Pizza Boxes
Old lightbulbs might look like something that belongs with glass recycling, but Ashley says they should be disposed of separately. He said: “They don't belong in your bin, they don't belong in your recycling, they don't belong in your general waste. You're meant to take them to a specialist place where you can dispose of them correctly.”
Fortunately, getting rid of them does not necessarily mean making a long journey. Ashley added: “You can do it at most tips, B&Q, Tesco. When you go to replace them, take them with you!” Householders should check which recycling points near them accept their particular type of bulb before making the trip.
Cardboard normally belongs in recycling, but a takeaway pizza box often causes confusion because it may be covered in grease or leftover food. Clean and dry cardboard may be recyclable, while greasy or food-stained sections need to be removed and disposed of separately.
Ashley said: “Pizza boxes should not be in the recycling bin. They should be in your general waste bin, whatever colour that will be.” He added: “Let's just make this clear, pizza boxes - general waste bin, not recycling bin. That's all I needed to say. It doesn't matter what colour your bin is, it goes in your general waste.” Because local rules can differ, it is worth checking your council's instructions.
Chewing Gum and Crisp Packets
Chewing gum is another small item which can easily end up in the wrong bin. Ashley says used gum should go into general waste rather than food waste or compost because it does not biodegrade. He explained: “What about chewing gum? Good question. Right, this one, it goes in your general waste. If you’re chewing it, finished with it; it goes in the general waste bin.” He added: “It is not biodegradable - that’s why you do not put it in your food waste or your compost bin.”
The wrapper should not automatically go into recycling either. Ashley said: “The wrapper for chewing gum, another good one, which would be, because it’s a combination of paper and aluminium. Because of the combination, it doesn’t go in either the recycling bin. It would have to go in your general waste bin.”
Crisp packets are made from a different type of packaging to many of the bottles and containers people routinely recycle at home. Ashley advises taking them to a suitable collection point rather than putting them into household recycling. He said: “Crisp packets do not belong in your recycling bin. You're meant to take them to the supermarket and recycle them there, because it's a different type of plastic. Just like carrier bags, just like film, bubble wrap - all that stuff does not go in your recycling. Take it to the tip, they can sometimes dispose of it there differently, or take it to a supermarket.”
He warned people to check before throwing uncertain items into recycling, adding: “Don't be the person who gets their bin rejected when you want it to be emptied.”
Wrapping Paper and the Scrunch Test
Wrapping paper is particularly confusing because some types can be recycled while others contain plastic or other materials. Ashley recommends a simple “scrunch test” to help tell the difference. He said: “It depends on the wrapping paper. So if you have actual wrapping paper paper, what you should be able to do with it is screw it into a ball – and if it stays in the ball, it's just paper, and that can go in your paper recycling bin.”
He added: “If it's got lots of Sellotape or labels all over it, then take them off and then just put it in the paper bin. Save some room in your general waste. But if you screw into a ball and it starts expanding back out again, that's got mainly plastic in it, and that should not go in your paper bin. It's not paper, it's mainly plastic, and it's got a film over it – that one would go in your general waste.” He summed up the trick simply: “If it expands, it's plastic - if it stays as it is, it's paper.”
