A binman has urged people to think twice before putting polystyrene packaging into their recycling bin, saying it is an easy mistake to make because of what the material looks like. The No 1 Binman, a popular TikTok creator with more than 200,000 followers and nearly four million likes, shared the warning while answering questions about which bins different household items belong in.
Why polystyrene confuses households
"Polystyrene, my favourite," he said. "Make sure you put it in your general waste bin because so many people get confused and put it in the plastic. Easy mistake to make, they're both made of plastic, but most places it's just not worth recycling because it's made of mainly air."
It reflects guidance from Recycle Now, which says polystyrene is a type of plastic but is not commonly recycled and should be placed in the waste bin. That includes the expanded polystyrene often found inside packaging, although residents should always check their local council's collection rules before disposing of it.
Paper bin warning
The binman also specifically warned against putting the material in paper recycling, despite the fact it is often found alongside cardboard packaging. "Some people, for some reason, like to put it in a paper bin. I know it comes with paper in a box, but still do not ever put it in your paper bin," he added.
For households unsure about their local arrangements, Recycle Now recommends using its postcode-based recycling locator to find out what can be collected at home and where other items can be taken. Rules can vary between councils, with some authorities directing residents to general waste while others also provide household recycling centre options.
Council examples and advice
For example, Worcestershire County Council says polystyrene cannot go in its green recycling bin and should instead be put in the black or grey bin, or taken to a non-recyclable waste container at a household recycling centre. Rotherham Council similarly says polystyrene packaging is not commonly recyclable and can be placed in general household waste or taken to the appropriate non-recyclable skip at its recycling centres.
The No 1 Binman's message was therefore to check before throwing the packaging away rather than relying on its appearance. "General waste, check with your council. You might be one of the only councils which do accept it."
He added that some people may be able to take polystyrene to a tip, although the facilities available depend on the local authority. For anyone sorting through packaging at home, the safest approach is to check the council's own guidance or Recycle Now before putting it in a recycling bin.
