UK Recycling 'don'ts' and alternatives

I read a really fab BBC news article on items that can’t be recycled in the UK. Some of the items certainly came as a surprise and got me thinking about alternative options we have.

We’ll start with quite an obvious one…

Cling Film

This popular plastic food wrap is made from PVC which cannot be recycled. An alternative is of course tin foil, which can be recycled - but there are even more sustainable options!Good old tupperware (if you can find a matching lid!) for your dinner leftovers and bees wax wraps for your lunch time sandwiches.

Drinking glasses and Pyrex

Turns out these types of glass are treated differently to withstand heat, so they have a different melting point! Of course, you can’t avoid some broken glass now and then. However, if the reason you might want to get rid of your glass is that you’re getting new stuff in, then please donate your old things to charity shops or charities. There are lots around that look for homeware items to help settle vulnerable people into new homes etc.

Receipts

Annoyingly some receipts are coated with a material called bisphenol (A or S) - this makes them that shiny texture. This can’t be recycled. But, lots of shops are moving towards paperless now, giving you the option to opt-out of receipts, or to get them emailed to you! At least it stops that build up in your purse/wallet!

Sticky notes

Unfortunately these handy stationery items cannot be recycled as the sticky strip can’t be removed! The tried and tested paper and pin method might be more favourable to the environment!

Crisp packets

Crisp packets are a funny one, they can technically be recycled… however, the grease and crisp residue left on the packets mean local authorities aren’t able to process them. After a protest last year which involved members of the public sending their used packets to Walkers in the post, the huge company have pledged to make their packaging biodegradable by 2025. In the meantime they’ve set up a collection process with Terracycle; you can drop off your packets and they’re taken away to be shredded and made into outdoor furniture. You can check here to see where your local drop off point is.

Collection points in London and the surrounding areas

Sticking with the crisp theme, Pringles cans have been dubbed the ‘number one recycling villain’ as their cans are made using five different components. They have a metal base, cardboard sleeve, foil top, plastic lid and foil lining! This makes them basically impossible to recycle. Apparently the company are working with Terracycle to try and roll out a similar scheme. For now however, I would avoid Pringles unless the cravings don’t allow it!

Paper straws

You probably saw all that drama regarding McDonalds paper straws earlier this month and the fact they aren’t recyclable (eye roll)… The material is actually 100% recyclable, however, their size means they have to be collected separately and many councils don’t have the resources to do so. Another reason is because they often get thrown away still attached to the cups so this proves difficult. I’d recommend investing in some reusable straws like bamboo or the fab metal numbers from Bare Kind (remember you can use my discount code humanitariangirl for 10% off!).

So there you have it - a few surprising ones in there, I for one would never have thought about the Pringles tube! If you’re still confused about what you can and can’t recycle, check out your local authority’s website, there is usually a specific list that you can follow!