A refuse collector known as The No1 Binman has issued a warning about a common household item that should never be placed in recycling or food waste bins. In a recent TikTok video, Ashley, who works as a refuse operative, explained that chewing gum and its wrappers are often disposed of incorrectly.
Ashley stated that chewing gum is not biodegradable and should go in the general waste bin, not in food waste or compost. He emphasised that it cannot break down in soil or compost, making it unsuitable for those bins.
Regarding gum wrappers, the binman clarified that they are made from a combination of paper and aluminium, which means they cannot be recycled. Instead, they too should be placed in the general waste bin.
Refuse collectors like Ashley play a vital role in keeping neighbourhoods clean, handling household rubbish and ensuring proper disposal. Incorrectly placing items in recycling bins can lead to waste being left uncollected.
Ashley advised checking local council websites for an A-Z list of waste items, as most councils specify that chewing gum belongs in general waste. He urged the public to follow these guidelines to avoid disposal mistakes.
