It’s Global Recycling Day on the 18th of March, and while this conversation is always relevant, we thought we’d use this opportunity to share why recycling as a habit is so important, as well as tips and advice on how to do it right.

We know it can be hard to avoid single-use plastics, but there ARE always alternatives available, which means we all have a responsibility to act. Here’s a tool to help find your local recycling centre and become familiar with guidelines in your area.

Why is recycling so important?

A whopping 91% of plastic is not recycled, with 79% ending up as litter or in landfills – and then, 12.7 MILLION TONS ends up in the ocean. In fact, there’s a good chance that one of your old plastic bags has ended up in the belly of a confused turtle. 22% is leaked into the environment or poorly disposed of.

Shocked yet? Yeah, us too.

The world is slowly making progress, but not fast enough. While the use of plastics fell by around 2% over the pandemic, single-use plastics are ON THE RISE, and predicted to keep on rising. Plastic is everywhere, so avoiding it altogether is an impossible option for most. That’s where recycling comes in. Recycling alone can save more co2 emissions than the entire aviation industry. That is a LOT!

Recycling goes beyond putting the right material in the right bin, and not all plastics are recyclable. Here are some tips on how to recycle properly, as well as ideas and alternatives to ensure that your plastic usage is as minimal and safe as possible.

To learn more and get involved in reducing litter, check out Keep Britain Tidy, an incredible organisation that hosts the Great British Spring Clean each year.

Tip 1: NO bags or thin plastics

Not even one plastic bag can go in your recycling bin – so STOP throwing your recycling into a bin bag! Bags can jam the machines and will probably end up being eaten by wildlife and poisoning the environment. Empty the contents into the recycling bin or get a separate reusable recycling box or bag. Most supermarkets have drop off points for broken bags. The BEST thing you can do is stop using plastic bags altogether, and there are so many alternatives that we’ve run out of excuses not to:

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

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

OR: knit, crochet, or sew your own (using sustainable materials, of course!)

 

Tip 2: Know your plastic

There are many different types of plastic which can be confusing, even if you know all the symbols and names. It’s always handy to use a plastic recycling guide such as this one. PET is the most widely recycled and is used to package many beverages, such as yogurt pots and plastic bottles. For other items that you’re unsure of, check your local authority beforehand using this tool.

Check out all of our plastic-free alternatives here.

Tip 3: The scrunch test

If it scrunches and stays that way, it’s recyclable; if it opens up again, don’t recycle it. Think crisp packets and bread bags. Foil tends to keep its form scrunched; however, metallised plastic film springs back. 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.

Plastic-free grocery shopping has never been easier with Goodfind’s list of brands. Yes, even spice selections can be plastic-free!

Don’t forget to remove all plastic sleeves from other recycling, such as on water bottles.

Tip 4: Size DOES matter

Is it smaller than a credit card? Don’t recycle it. Yep, even paper straws (which need to be collected separately to be recycled properly). Big recycling machines just can’t handle small items, like plastic cutlery and straws. Doing the credit card check on every item you’re about to throw into the recycling can make your impact much more positive. 

Here are a few 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.

Tip 5: Not all glass is made equal

It’s true that all glass is recyclable, making it a great alternative to plastic; however, it’s all recycled at different temperatures, meaning only certain types go in your green bin. So what’s recyclable? Food jars and drink bottles. Non-recyclable? Broken glass, sunglasses and glassware. Yep, that broken wine glass goes in the normal bin and not the recycling. 

Here’s a handy guide to recycling glass, and take a look at Kuishi, a brand that makes recyclable glassware for around the home with the aim of reducing plastic waste.

Tip 6: Keep it clean

Contaminated recycling has a name: 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? Clean enough that you don’t have to worry about rats – and as soon as possible, as newer materials make for better quality products.

Keeping your recycling box close to the sink can help to remind you to clean out your recycling every time.

Tip 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. 

When receiving receipts, opt for the email versions or say NO, and when buying coffee, bring your own cup - you could save a few pence here, too!

Ditch the disposables and opt instead for reusable cups and bottles, such as those from Kaffeeform, and try using toothpaste tablets from Nothing Wasted instead of mixed material toothpaste tubes.

Being an imperfect recycler is better than not recycling at all, so make sure to keep up the habit no matter what. Nobody said it was easy, but every small act contributes to a brighter future, so we could all do with being more mindful of the materials we use and discard. There are more plastic-free alternatives now than ever before – it's down to us to make use of them!

Edited by Emily Weedon