What Can You Recycle?

Key Takeaways

You can recycle various materials including cardboard, paper, plastic, metal, glass, electronics, food and organic waste.

Recycling is an essential part of reducing waste and protecting the environment. By ensuring that we correctly dispose of materials, we can conserve resources and reduce pollution.

However, many people remain unsure about what can and cannot be recycled, leading to unnecessary waste ending up in landfills.

In the UK, there are specific guidelines on what materials can be placed in your recycling bin. This guide will help you understand which items you can recycle and how to prepare them correctly to ensure they are processed efficiently.

What You Can Recycle: The Ultimate Guide

Paper and Cardboard

Newspapers, magazines, and office paper
Cardboard boxes (flatten before recycling)
Greeting cards (without glitter or foil)
Envelopes (remove plastic windows if possible)

Plastic Items

Plastic bottles (e.g., drink bottles, shampoo bottles – remember to empty and rinse before recycling)
Plastic pots, tubs, and trays (such as yogurt pots, margarine tubs, and ready meal trays)
Carrier bags (check with your local recycling centre as some supermarkets offer collection points)

Glass

Glass jars and bottles (clear, green, and brown glass – rinse them before recycling)
Metal lids from jars and bottles can usually be recycled separately

Metal

Food and drink cans (aluminium and steel) – Steel was the packaging material with the highest recycling rate in 2023!
Aerosol cans (ensure they are empty before recycling)
Foil and foil trays (clean before recycling)

Food and Organic Waste

Many councils offer separate food waste collections for items like fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds
Garden waste such as grass clippings and leaves can be composted or taken to a green waste recycling centre

Items That Cannot Be Recycled

Not everything belongs in the recycling bin. Items like polystyrene, certain types of food packaging, and soft plastics may not be accepted. There are, however, some specialist recycling businesses that accept items such as soft plastics.

By following these guidelines, you can help improve recycling rates and ensure materials are reused efficiently. Check with your local authority for specific rules regarding recycling collection in your area.

Waste Found In Businesses That You Can Recycle

Businesses generate a significant amount of waste, much of which can be recycled with the right systems in place. Office environments, retail stores, and industrial sites all produce recyclable materials that, when properly sorted, can contribute to sustainability efforts and reduce landfill waste.

One of the most common recyclable materials in businesses is paper and cardboard. Offices produce large volumes of waste paper, including printer paper, envelopes, and packaging materials like cardboard boxes. Ensuring these items are collected separately from general waste can significantly increase recycling rates.

Plastics are another key waste stream in businesses. Containers, buckets, barrels and other packaging types can often be recycled through professional recycling businesses.

Encouraging employees to use designated bins for waste helps prevent contamination and ensures materials are properly processed. This waste can also be segregated and baled in bulk volumes, allowing for ease of collection and transportation.

By setting up recycling systems and engaging with a waste management team, businesses can take proactive steps to reduce their environmental footprint. Encouraging staff participation and awareness further improves recycling efficiency and contributes to a more sustainable workplace.

What Can We Recycle?

We collect and recycle a range of waste types for businesses nationwide. This includes materials such as cardboard, paper, electronic waste, hazardous and chemical materials, IBCs and much more. Please get in touch with our team today to find out more about our recycling services available.

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