It can cause great confusion when it comes to household waste disposal, and knowing what goes in general waste, recycling, food waste etc. With ever-changing recycling guidelines and the rise of multi-bin households, knowing what waste belongs where can be a real challenge.
In this blog, we will clarify what should and shouldn’t find its way into your general waste bin, and why.
Understanding Your General Waste Bin
Colour Variations: While black is the most common colour, general waste bins can also be blue or green depending on your local council.
The “Catch-All” (But Not Really): The general waste bin is often seen as the “catch-all” for items you’re unsure about. However, this mindset needs to change to protect our environment.
What DOES NOT Go in General Waste
Recyclables: This includes plastics, paper, cardboard, glass, and metal cans (unless your local council specifies otherwise).
Garden Waste: Leaves, grass clippings, and small branches belong in your garden waste bin.
Food Waste: Compostable food waste should be disposed of separately.
Hazardous Waste: Batteries, paint, light bulbs, and chemicals pose environmental risks and should be disposed of properly at designated collection points.
Electrical Waste: Electronics with plugs (e.g., toasters, kettles) require special recycling.
Large or Heavy Items: Furniture, construction materials, and appliances require separate disposal methods.
What GOES in General Waste
Soiled Nappies and Sanitary Products: These items cannot be recycled effectively.
Pet Waste: Cat litter and bagged dog waste.
Non-Recyclable Plastics: Some plastics are not accepted in curb-side recycling programs.
Kitchen Roll, Tissues, and Napkins: These items are generally not recyclable.
Cigarette Butts: Once fully extinguished.
Vacuum Cleaner Contents: Dust and debris collected by your vacuum cleaner.
Non-Recyclable Food Packaging: Heavily soiled pizza boxes, for example.
Broken Glassware: Pyrex dishes, mirrors, and other non-beverage glass.
When in Doubt, Check Local Guidelines
Recycling regulations vary by region. Always check with your local council for specific guidelines on what can and cannot be placed in your general waste bin.
How to Check if Plastic is Recyclable
Plastic comes under both categories of what you can and cannot put in general waste because it depends on the type of plastic. There are different symbols on plastic packaging that you can refer to, such as Plastic Resin Codes, as outlined on Recycle Now:
These identify the type of plastic resin used to make the item by providing a ‘Resin Identification Code’. It is represented with a ‘chasing arrows’ symbol surrounding a number between 1 and 7 that defines the resin used.
1 – PET, used for drinks bottles and some food packaging: Widely recycled
2 – HDPE, used for cleaning product bottles, milk cartons, etc: Widely recycled
3 – PVC, used for car parts, window fittings, etc: Not easily recyclable
4 – LDPE, used for plastic bags and wrapping, etc: Recycle at specialist points
5 – PP, used for some tubs and trays etc: Widely recycled
6 – PS, used for takeaway boxes, disposable cutlery, etc: Not easily recyclable
7 – Other, used for crisp packets, rice packets etc: Recycle at specialist points
General Waste and the Environmental Impact
Ensuring that only non-recyclable or non-compostable items enter the general waste bin may seem faffy, or a waste of time, but the reality is that it is an important practice to protect the environment.
Waste that goes in the general waste bin is sent to landfill. Landfill sites pose significant environmental harm as they release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to climate change.
These sites are also prone to fires and explosions, further polluting the air and damaging the surrounding environment, and leachate from landfills can contaminate soil and groundwater.
Limiting the amount of waste that is sent to landfills is paramount for a healthy planet. By minimising waste generation and maximising recycling efforts, we can protect our environment and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Bartec Municipal Technologies
At Bartec Municipal Technologies, we help local authorities deliver better waste management services to their residents. Our waste management software, Collective, makes it easy for residents to subscribe to food waste collections, and for local authorities to manage their entire waste operation.
Residents can log in to the waste management platform to view collection schedules and request new bins or caddies as needed. This approach not only encourages greater participation but also reduces operational expenses, improving the performance of local authorities’ food waste management.
To learn more about how Collective can help, book a call and speak to a member of our team.
