Recycling at home can be confusing, and there are certain everyday items that shouldn’t be placed into your recycling bins
As new recycling bin rules are introduced across England, households are being asked to rethink what they put out for collection. While many people are making an effort to recycle more, some everyday items are still ending up in the wrong bins. This is creating confusion, contamination and extra work for waste services.
From packaging that cannot be processed to common household items that need to be disposed of differently, mistakes are more frequent than many residents realise. Understanding what belongs in each bin and taking a few extra seconds to check the packaging can help ensure they are recycled efficiently.
Why are the recycling rules changing?
The changes are being introduced to create a more consistent recycling scheme across England, where households have historically faced different rules depending on where they live.
The Government’s aim is to make recycling simpler, improve the quality of materials collected, and ensure that more waste can be reused rather than sent for disposal.
By bringing collections more in line across the country, the new approach is intended to reduce confusion and support better recycling outcomes and help move towards a more efficient waste system
Five everyday items causing the most confusion
1. Receipts
Graham Flynn, waste management expert and managing director of Anenta, explained: “Many people assume receipts can be recycled with other paper, but most till receipts are printed on thermal paper, which contains chemicals that make them unsuitable for standard paper recycling.”
Instead, they should be placed in the general waste bin. If you are left unsure, there’s an easy way to check. If receipts have a shiny coating, they are often thermal paper and should not be recycled.
2. Pringles tubes
Pringles tubes look like they can be recycled, since they appear to be cardboard tubes. However, according to the expert, they are actually made of multiple layers of various materials, making them difficult to recycle.
Some local authorities accept them, so make sure to check first before putting them in the recycling bin.
3. Wrapping paper
Wrapping paper also looks like it can be recycled, but ones with glitter, foil finishes or metallic coatings cannot. It’s also important to be mindful of cellotape stuck to wrapping paper, as it makes the paper non-recyclable.
4. Toothpaste tubes
Most toothpaste tubes are made from a combination of plastic and aluminium, which means they aren’t eligible for home recycling.
Luckily, certain retailers and dentists have collection points where they can be placed for recycling.
5. Disposable coffee cups
The expert said: “Despite looking like paper cups, most takeaway coffee cups contain a plastic lining that prevents them from being recycled through standard household collections.
“Use dedicated coffee cup recycling points where available or switch to a reusable cup.”
How households can avoid recycling mistakes
Households can avoid recycling mistakes by checking their local council’s latest guidance before putting items in their bins, as rules can vary by area.
Taking a few extra seconds to separate materials correctly, rinse out containers where required, and avoid placing uncertain items in the recycling can help reduce contamination.
When in doubt, residents should check whether an item is accepted rather than assuming it can be recycled.
