7 Rules to up your recycling game

Bet we've all done a bit of "WISH" recycling, right? A bit of "Oh, this can be recycled", and you dump it into a recycling bin hoping for the best 🤞🏼

That does more harm than good. You'd be surprised at what CAN'T be recycled, and if you don't know, don't throw... it in the recycling. The rubbish bin is where it belongs.

So as it's the annual Global Recycling Day and we've done a little rundown for you.

Why? Well, there’s a global problem with recycling. Only 9% of plastic has been recycled whilst 79% ends up in landfills or litters the environment, with its last stop in the ocean. The mass-production of plastics has created 8.3 billion metric tons of it in the last six years, and most of it still exists today in some shape or form. It takes a massive 400 years to decompose, and we need to start taking action NOW. We are struggling to catch up with the sheer amount affecting the environment and climate. Scientists weren’t joking when they predicted more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.

Photo by @marjanblan on Unsplash

How to recycle better

Did you know that recycling (by companies and residents) can save more CO2 emissions than the entire aviation industry? Now that is A LOT when tackling climate change. Sure, you can’t boss companies around about their recycling, although hello to Coca Cola trialling new paper bottles! However, there’s more to recycling than a recycling bin.

Rule 1: NO bags

Nope, not even one plastic bag can go in your recycling bin. That includes any packaging such as plastic wrap and salad bags. It can jam the machines, and if it doesn’t, guess who ends up wearing or ingesting it? Animals and sealife. Next time, think again before putting a bag of recycling in the bin; instead, pour its contents out or even have a separate reusable recycling bag/box. For the broken, unusable bags, you can find a local drop-off point in most supermarkets.    

Our alternatives: 

Turtle Bags: Eco-friendly and plastic-free reusable bags.

Kind Bag: Reusable bags, made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.

Rule 2: Get your plastic RIGHT

Plastic can get confusing, even if you do know all the recycling symbols and names. It’s always handy to have a plastic recycling guide such as this one. The most widely recycled plastic is PET which is used for Plastic Bottles, mouthwash bottles and most yoghurt pots. If you’re wondering about items such as milk jugs, plastic bottle caps, bleach/detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, and tubs, check your local authority beforehand.

Our alternatives:

It’s hard to pick just a few brands, from beauty products and toothbrushes to groceries and homeware, we have a whole range! Check out all of our plastic-free alternatives here.

Photo by @pawel_czerwinski on Unsplash

Rule 3: Not all glass is made equal

You probably think all glass is recyclable. This is true; however, it’s all recycled at different temperatures meaning not all glass is equal, and only certain types go in your green bin. So what’s recyclable? Food jars and drink bottles. Non-recyclable? Broken glass, sunglasses and glassware. Yup, that broken wine glass goes in the normal bin and not the recycling. 

Our alternatives: 

Glass is a great alternative to plastic; it’s just about knowing where to put it. Here’s a handy guide to recycling glass, and if you’re looking to swap for glass alternatives, we’ve got you!

Kuishi: Transforming spaces with simple, sustainable products.

Rule 4: Is it smaller than a credit card?

You’d think a big machine could handle some plastic cutlery and straws, right? Wrong. So a good way to measure if it can be recycled is the credit card check. If it’s smaller than a credit card, don’t recycle it, yep, even paper straws. It’s not that they can’t be recycled, but rather that they need to be collected separately as the current recycling infrastructure is unable to process them.

Our alternatives: 

Ooble: Edible straws that are kind to you and our planet

Sucka: Reusable metal straws that help save the planet in a trendy and conscious way
Nature & My: Ethical, natural and eco-friendly products for the whole family

Rule 5: The scrunch test

If it scrunches and keeps its shape, it’s recyclable; if not, don’t recycle it. Think crisp packets and bread bags. Foil tends to keep its form scrunched; however, metallised plastic film springs back. Also, let us add that you still can’t recycle crisp packets and bread bags the normal way but instead through Terracycle drop off points. These also include cheese and confectionary packaging, amongst many others.

Our alternatives:
You didn’t think we just had one option for food, drink and dining, did you? Plastic-free grocery shopping has never been easier. Yes, even spice selections can be plastic-free!

Rule 6: Keep it clean

Contaminated recycling has a word: rubbish. Even a greasy pizza box can’t be recycled, much less a container that still has food in it. Before putting something in the recycling, make sure it’s clean and dry. How clean is clean? Clean enough that you don’t have to worry about any rats, and if it was recycled straight away (which it usually is), the new products are of just as high quality.

Our alternatives:

If by some miracle you can buy packaging where there’s no food residue left, then do that. If not, just clean your recycling and save it from landfill.

Rule 7: If you don’t know, don’t throw!

There’s a lot of items made from mixed materials that can be confusing. Receipts are a common recycling mistake as they’re printed on shiny thermal paper that’s not recyclable. Other mixed material items include coffee cups, Pringles cans and toothpaste containers. If you’re unable to tell what material it’s made of then don’t recycle it. Bin it. 

Our alternatives:

When receiving receipts opt for the email versions, and when buying coffee, bring your own cup; you generally get a few pence off too.

Kaffeeform: Coffee cups made from recycled coffee grounds.
Nothing Wasted: Dental hygiene, re-invented for the planet and customers.

Let’s start somewhere.

Being an imperfect recycler is better than not recycling at all. No one said recycling was simple and easy, but every little action contributes. Global Recycling Day may only be on its fourth birthday, but it’s here to encourage and educate people about the true value of recycling in the fight for a brighter future. So if you could do one of these, what would it be?

Words by Jess Morgan