A binman with a large social media following has issued a blunt reminder to homeowners to dispose of polystyrene properly. The No1 Binman, who has more than 200,000 followers and almost four million likes on TikTok, shared a viral video singing along to Twisted Sister's We're Not Gonna Take It to highlight that the synthetic plastic should never be recycled.
Polystyrene and Recycling Rules
Polystyrene can be particularly confusing because it appears in several forms, from protective packaging around electrical goods and furniture to takeaway containers and packing blocks. In England, the government has introduced restrictions on certain single-use polystyrene food and drink containers.
Since October 2023, businesses have been banned from supplying single-use food and drink containers made from expanded or extruded polystyrene. However, this does not mean every piece of polystyrene found at home can simply be placed in a recycling bin. The important distinction is between being made of plastic and being accepted for household recycling. A material can technically be plastic but still be unsuitable for the recycling collection provided by your council.
Check Local Council Guidance
Rules vary between councils, so people are advised to check the binman's advice against what's local to them before acting on any waste disposal tips. It is claimed that most authorities completely outlaw the material from kerbside bags, but it's always important to double check first to avoid any problems.
GOV.UK's household waste guidance says most household rubbish should go into the bins supplied by your local council, while councils can also provide separate recycling, food and garden waste services. If something is not collected, residents may instead be directed towards a household recycling centre or another permitted disposal service.
Households should resist the temptation to put unwanted polystyrene into the recycling simply because it looks similar to other packaging materials. Putting the wrong materials into recycling can cause contamination. The government's Simpler Recycling system in England came into force on March 31, with the aim of making recycling collections more consistent, although councils still manage the practical collection arrangements.
For anyone unsure about a particular item, the safest option is to check their council's recycling instructions rather than guessing. GOV.UK also provides an online service for finding out what recycling collections are available in England and Wales.
