A waste worker known as The No1 Binman has warned households against putting crisp packets in their home recycling bins, saying the packaging should be taken to supermarket collection points instead.
The TikTok creator, who has more than 217,000 followers and nearly four million likes, said that although some crisp packets can be recycled, they are not suitable for kerbside collections.
Crisp packets excluded from home recycling
The warning is particularly relevant in Liverpool, where the city council lists plastic bags and cling film among items it will not accept in blue bins or recycling bags. Liverpool City Council says crisp packets cannot currently be recycled through the city's household collection service.
In his video, the binman told viewers: "People put crisp packets in their recycling bin! Don't do it people!" He explained that the packets need to be taken to the right type of collection point rather than put out with household recycling.
Where to recycle crisp packets
Anyone who wants to recycle crisp packets can check whether a participating supermarket nearby has a collection point for soft plastics and wrapping. Recycle Now lists selected retailers that accept these materials, but the range of packaging accepted can vary between stores.
The No1 Binman added: "They can be recycled, but just not in your recycling bin at home." He said the collection point could be near the entrance or exit, depending on the supermarket, so shoppers should look for the relevant signage and check the accepted items.
Chocolate wrappers and collection rules
The advice extends beyond crisp packets to chocolate bar wrappers, which can also be unsuitable for kerbside recycling. In his video, he continued: "Exactly the same thing goes with crisp packets, and it goes for chocolate bar wrappers."
Liverpool City Council warns that recycling bins or bags containing unacceptable materials may not be emptied, so putting the wrong items in can create a problem for the whole collection. Its guidance asks residents to keep plastic bags and cling film out of the blue bin, with crisp packets also excluded from home recycling.
If there is no suitable drop-off point available, households should put crisp packets in their general waste rather than the blue bin. Anyone uncertain about a particular item can check the council's what goes in my bins guidance and use Recycle Now's crisp packet guidance to look for other recycling options.
