A binman has warned UK households that recycling bins containing polystyrene may be left uncollected, as most councils lack the facilities to process the material.
The warning comes from The No 1 Binman, a TikTok creator, who shared a clip showing himself near a lorry. The footage was captioned: "When the recycling bin is full of polystyrene and you tell the binmen you have no idea how it got there." The video was set to Meghan Trainor's song "Lips Are Movin".
Common recycling mistake
Polystyrene, including Expanded Polystyrene or Styrofoam packaging and takeaway trays, should not be placed in household recycling bins in most areas of the UK. Many local authorities do not have the facilities to process it and ask residents to put it in their general waste bin instead.
The material easily breaks into tiny beads that can clog and damage sorting machinery at standard recycling plants. The binman's clip prompted debate among viewers, with one commenting: "It's common sense. That's not meant to be in there." Another added: "Who knew that polystyrene didn't go in the paper bin?"
When can binmen refuse collection?
Binmen can legally refuse to collect rubbish that does not follow local council rules, particularly when non-recyclable items are placed in recycling bins. They may also leave overfilled bins behind, as open lids or piled-up waste can create safety hazards. Extra bags or boxes left next to the bin can also cause problems where councils operate a strict "no side waste" policy, and excessively heavy bins may be deemed unsafe for workers or equipment to lift.
A small number of local recycling centres or specific council areas may accept polystyrene, but residents are advised to check their local council guidelines first, as rules can vary.
