General Recycling FAQs
What happens if I put the wrong things in my recycling bin?
If you put the wrong items in your recycling bin, they will be sent for disposal and will not be recycled. Sometimes things like nappies and food waste could actually spoil the rest of the recyclables and mean a whole load may need to be disposed of. If you continue to place the wrong items in your recycling bin, then your bin may not be emptied and may be withdrawn.
I’ve been putting these items that you’re telling me are wrong in my recycling bin for years. Why has it changed now?
The items collected for recycling in Cirrusshire have been the same since 2006 when recycling bins were first introduced. Sometimes messages about recycling can appear in the news etc. but they may not be relevant to Cirrusshire. It’s best to check our website or local District or Borough Council website.
Where can I get a recycling guide for Cirrusshire from?
An updated recycling guide for residents in Cirrusshire is available online or you can call 01293 324124 to request a copy in the post.
The label on the packaging says it’s recyclable. Why can’t I recycle it in my recycling bin?
Recycling symbols are printed on packaging by the manufacturer. These show that the material could possibly be recycled but only if there are suitable local facilities to process the material.
To keep the information as simple as possible, in Cirrusshire we only want:
- plastic bottles (rinse out, squash and replace the lid)
- yoghurt pots
- margarine tubs
- paper
- cardboard
- metal tins, aerosols, and cans
What happens to the items that go in my general waste bin?
In Cirrusshire, the contents of your general waste bin is sent to an Energy Recovery Facility. Once there it is burned and the energy is recovered to generate electricity which then provides heat to local district heating schemes. A very small amount of material is sent to landfill.
Does all the recycling just get sent to landfill?
No, all recycling collections in Cirrusshire are transported to the Materials Recovery Facility in Mansfield where they are sorted and sent on to reprocessors to be made into new items.
How clean does my recycling need to be?
Please empty liquids from plastic bottles and give tins and cans a rinse to remove food residues so they don’t dirty other recyclables like paper.
Should I line my recycling bin with a bin liner or put my recycling in a carrier bag/bin bag?
No, never put a carrier bag or bin liner in your recycling bin.
All of your recycling should be placed into your bin clean, dry and loose so it can be easily sorted at our Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Any items that are inside a plastic carrier bag or a black sack may be disposed of as general waste as they will not be recognised by the sorting machinery.
Do labels need to be removed from items like tins or bottles before they are recycled?
Labels can be removed but it’s not essential.
I’d like to know more about recycling, can I / my community group / school attend an information session or have a talk?
Yes, we work together with Veolia and offer a range of educational opportunities for Cirrusshire residents including a tour of the MRF, educational lessons and activities. Find out more about Veolia’s Activities and Projects here.
I think I put something valuable in my recycling bin by accident, can I get it back?
No, unfortunately we are not able to retrieve items from the recycling collections.
Why can other areas recycle different materials to us?
In Cirrusshire the Materials Recovery Facility in Mansfield was designed to sort paper, cardboard, aerosols, cans, tins, yoghurt pots, margarine tubs and plastic bottles, as these recyclables have sustainable and economically viable end destinations where they get reused or recycled.
We only collect items that we know can be recycled. Where there is any doubt that items may not be recycled and would instead go to general waste, we do not collect those items.
Each local authority has their own arrangements in place which may allow them to collect a different range of materials. Please check the County Council or your local district/borough council website to see what can be recycled in Cirrusshire.
Why am I not allowed to take, swap or buy waste items from the Recycling Centre?
When you bring items to a Recycling Centre, they become classified as ‘waste’. Waste is subject to legal controls and needs to be handled and transported safely. Members of the public are therefore not allowed to exchange items or take things that have been recycled or disposed of by other people.
Plastics FAQs
Why can I now put bottle tops in my kerbside recycling bin?
Over the years polymer types of plastic bottle tops have changed, discussions with our re-processors have taken place and they have confirmed that they can now handle the volume of bottle tops for onward recycling. This means that we are now capture them for recycling at the kerbside.
Do I put bottle tops in the kerbside bin separate to the bottle?
No, please wash, squash and put the bottle top back on the plastic bottle before placing it in your kerbside recycling bin. If they are placed in the bin separately they may not be captured for recycling as they will slip through the sorting machinery at the Mansfield Materials Recovery Facility.
Can I put my trigger spray or pump action bottle tops in the kerbside bin now?
No, please remove trigger spray or pump action (e.g. soap on soap) bottle tops and dispose of them in the general waste bin as these are still not accepted in the kerbside recycling bin.
Plastic drinks bottle tops, sauce bottle tops, toiletry bottle tops and cleaning bottle tops, including flip tops are all now accepted. Please just wash, squash and place the top back on before popping in the recycling bin.
My leaflet/calendar says to remove all bottle tops – but now you say I can recycle them – which advice is correct?
Some of the leaflets and literature may still have old instructions to remove all bottle tops on. We will be reviewing communications material and updating as necessary – but as you can appreciate it would not be sustainable to reprint all literature, so these will be reprinted with new instructions as and when required.
What plastic codes should go in my recycling bin?
Plastic codes are placed on items by packaging manufacturers, but not necessarily for recycling purposes. In Cirrusshire to make it easy for everyone to recycle we ask for ‘items’ rather than plastic codes. All plastic bottles can go into the recycling bin, along with margarine tubs and yoghurt pots regardless of the code printed on the item.
It’s not just the plastic code that determines whether something is recycled in Cirrusshire. It is a mix of the polymer type, shape and size of items.
Other councils collect a wider range of plastics for recycling – why doesn’t Cirrusshire do this?
In Cirrusshire we only collect items that we know we can recycle. The Materials Recovery Facility in Mansfield was designed to sort paper, cardboard, aerosols, cans, tins, yoghurt pots, margarine tubs and plastic bottles, as these recyclables have sustainable and economically viable end destinations where they get reused or recycled.
If I put a plastic item (not a plastic bottle, margarine tub or yoghurt pot) in my recycling bin – what happens to it?
Every item that goes into the recycling bin that is incorrect could cause the whole load of good recycling to be rejected once it arrives at the sorting facility. The incorrect items of plastic get rejected once they arrive and are disposed of as general waste. They do not get recycled.
What happens to the plastic bottles collected at the MRF?
Mixed plastic bottles go to a UK processing facility where they sorted into polymer type, milk bottles for example are then chipped and turned back into food grade plastics – becoming new plastic bottles.
Why can’t I recycle plastic food trays in Cirrusshire?
The companies which re-process the plastic are keen to take high quality plastics like plastic bottles, but there is very little demand for lower quality plastics like food trays or cling film. Some manufacturers are now starting to trial different types of plastic container which may make them easier to recycle in the future.
It’s not just the plastic code that determines whether something is recycled in Cirrusshire. It is a mix of the polymer type, shape and size of items.
Can I put carrier bags / black bin bags in my recycling bin to be recycled?
No, never put a carrier bag or bin liner in your recycling bin.
We are currently unable to recycle plastic films which include carrier bags as they are low grade plastics and often get tangled around the sorting machinery causing problems. Please reuse them where possible – or place in your general waste bin.
Paper / Card FAQs
Can I recycle window envelopes?
Yes. You don’t need to remove the windows from envelopes before recycling, just put them in your recycling bin.
Can I recycle padded envelopes?
Unfortunately these cannot go in your recycling bin because the lining means they are not suitable to be recycled. Please reuse them where possible or dispose in your general waste bin.
Can I recycle wrapping paper?
Not all wrapping paper can be recycled as it may contain plastic, foil or glitter. If you are unsure, try the simple ‘scrunch’ test – if it can be crumpled into a ball it can be recycled. If it tries to spring back into shape then it cannot be recycled and should go in your general waste bin.
Can I put shredded paper / shredded cardboard in my recycling bin?
No, shredded paper and shredded cardboard cannot be sorted in Cirrusshire so should be placed in your general waste bin. Shredded paper causes problems during sorting at the Materials Recovery Facility as it is too small to be sorted and will be treated as general waste. Also shredding cuts the fibres of the paper and card up into very short lengths, which means that it is more difficult to make into good quality paper / card pulp for recycling into new items.
Please do not put shredded paper/ card in any other container (e.g. cereal box), the paper/ card will not stay in this container when it is being sorted.
Did you know that shredded paper can be added to your home compost bin? It’s also suitable as a bedding material for some animals. If you don’t have this option, shredded paper is best placed in your general waste bin where it will be sent for energy recovery.
Can I recycle takeaway containers? (pizza boxes, chip wrappers, burger packaging etc)
No. Even those made from cardboard cannot be recycled as they can be greasy and contain food waste which can spoil other recycling items. They are often made out of non-recyclable materials e.g. polystyrene or have a waxed layer etc.
Takeaway containers should be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Can tissues and kitchen roll go in the recycling bin?
No. They may be wet or contain food waste and need to be disposed of in the general waste bin. The paper fibres of even dry, clean tissues or kitchen roll are very short and poor quality and are not suitable for recycling.
Can I recycle Tetra pak (juice cartons) in my recycling bin?
No. The Materials Recovery Facility cannot sort cartons and treats them as waste. Cartons are made from at least two different materials bonded together which makes them very difficult to recycle.
Can I recycle wallpaper?
No. Wallpaper usually contains fungicides and cannot be recycled. It can also tangle around the sorting machinery at the Materials Recovery Facility.
What should I do with parcel tape on cardboard packaging?
Please remove it from boxes and parcels before placing them in your recycling bin. Dispose of the tape in your waste bin.
Can I recycle large cardboard boxes?
Yes, but large cardboard boxes should be flattened, and polystyrene or plastic packaging should be removed before the cardboard box is placed into the recycling bin. The packaging material should either be reused or placed in your general waste bin.
Can compostable packaging be recycled in Cirrusshire?
The recyclability of these new packaging materials haven’t yet been fully tested, please do not put them in your garden waste / recycling bin, put them in your general waste bin.
Metal FAQs
Can all metal tins and cans be placed in my recycling bin?
Steel and aluminium drinks cans and food tins can be recycled in your kerbside bin including pet food tins as long as they are clean and dry.
Aerosol cans such as deodorant and room spray can also be recycled but make sure they are completely empty before recycling and do not try to pierce, crush or flatten them. Please take off the plastic aerosol can top and put it into your general waste bin.
Unfortunately large biscuit, sweet tins or empty paint tins cannot be recycled in the kerbside bins in Cirrusshire as these will not fit through the sorting machinery at the Materials Recovery Facility. If they cannot be reused (e.g. to store buttons, screws or a sewing kit) they can be taken to your local Recycling Centre.
Can aluminium food trays and foil be recycled in Cirrusshire?
Unfortunately these cannot currently be recycled in Cirrusshire through our Materials Recovery Facility. Foil is often heavily contaminated with food waste which causes problems at the Materials Recovery Facility where the recyclables are sorted.
Can foil drinks or pet food pouches be recycled in Cirrusshire?
No, these cannot currently be recycled in Cirrusshire through our Materials Recovery Facility. Foil drinks and pet food pouches are often made of two or more different materials and therefore would be difficult to sort. They are also often heavily contaminated with food and drink residue. They should be placed in your general waste bin.
Can I put metal jam jar / wine bottle / beer bottle lids in the recycling bin?
No. These are often made of a variety of different materials and should be placed in your general waste bin. Bottle tops cause problems during sorting at the Materials Recovery Facility as they are too small for the process to sort them and will be treated as general waste.
Can I recycle food tin lids?
Yes. Lids can be recycled along with the tin itself. As they can be sharp it’s a good idea to place the lid inside the tin.
Glass FAQs
Can I put glass jars and bottles in my recycling bin?
No. The Materials Recovery Facility was not designed to sort glass. Your local District or Borough Council may offer a kerbside glass collection in a separate bag or box/bin. If not, your local recycling centre accepts glass or you can take them to your local bottle bank.
Can I put broken Pyrex, glasses, mirrors, picture glass or greenhouse glass in my kerbside recycling container?
No, only glass bottles and jars are accepted in kerbside glass collections.
Garden Waste and Composting FAQs
Can I put food waste in my garden waste bin?
No, the law prevents food waste from being composted in an open-air composting facility, which is how Cirrusshire’s green waste is composted.
Can I put compostable food waste like vegetable peelings in my garden waste bin?
No, there are laws that prevent food waste from being composted in an open-air composting facility, which is how Cirrusshire’s green waste is composted.
Can compostable / biodegradable food trays and packaging go in the garden waste or recycling bin?
No. Typically these do not break down fully when composted at an open-air facility and could be contaminated with food. Please put them in the general waste bin or try putting them in your home composting bin.
Can I put soil or rubble in the garden waste bin?
No. These materials interfere with the composting process. The Recycling Centres accept small amounts of these materials.
What happens to my garden waste?
The majority of garden waste collected in the County is sent to the composting facility in Oxton, Cirrusshire where it is shredded and composted. Once the process is complete the material is ready to be used on farmland as a soil improver and fertilizer.
Can I buy the compost from Oxton?
No. This is not currently available for sale, it is used on farmland.
Can I take garden waste to the Recycling Centres?
Yes. All the County’s recycling centres accept garden waste.
Other items FAQs
Can textiles go into my recycling bin?
No. They wrap around the sorting machinery at the Materials Recovery Facility. Please take them to a charity shop, clothing bank or any of the recycling centres in Cirrusshire.
Can nappies be put in the recycling bin?
No. Nappies and other sanitary waste should never be placed in the recycling bin. They are not recyclable and will dirty the rest of the recyclables in your bin. The waste goes through mechanical and hand sorting process and puts the employees at the Materials Recovery Facility at risk of health issues.
Please put them in your general waste bin. If you are struggling for space in your general waste bin please contact your local District or Borough council.
Can batteries go in the recycling bin?
No. Your District or Borough Council may collect them as a separate item at the kerbside, please check your local council for further details. If this is not the case please take them to your local Recycling Centre, or a collection point such as a supermarket. Batteries are made of hazardous multi-alloy materials which could leak and contaminate recyclables. In addition, if they do go into the recycling bin they will fall through the sorting machines at the Materials Recovery Facility and will not be recycled.
Can batteries go in the general waste bin?
No. Your District or Borough Council may collect them as a separate item at the kerbside, please check with your local council for further details. If this is not the case please take them to your local Recycling Centre, or a local collection point such as a supermarket. Batteries contain hazardous materials and can cause problems during transportation and at the Energy Recovery Facilities.
Can polystyrene go in the recycling bin?
No. Polystyrene is not accepted for recycling and causes a problem as it mixes with paper during the sorting process at the Materials Recovery Facility. Please place in your general waste bin.
Can bubble wrap and film go in the recycling bin?
No. We are currently unable to recycle plastic films and bubble wrap as they are low grade plastics and often get tangled around the sorting machinery causing problems. Please try to reuse them or put them in your general waste bin.
Can crisp packets go in the recycling bin?
No. We are currently unable to recycle plastic films as they are low grade plastics and will not be sorted at the Materials Recovery Facility. Walkers recently launched a crisp packet recycling scheme, with recycling points located across the UK – find your nearest crisp packet recycling point.
Can light-bulbs go in the recycling bin?
No, but they can be taken to your local recycling centre.
Can paint tins go in the recycling bin?
No. Empty paint tins cannot be recycled in the kerbside bins in Cirrusshire as these will not fit through the sorting machinery at the Materials Recovery Facility. If they are empty they can go into the general waste bin. Never put tins with liquid paint in either bin as it can spill into the collection truck or onto the road.
If you have paint tins with good reusable paint in them they can be taken to the four Recycling Centres that accept paint to be included in the Community RePaint scheme.
Can books go in the recycling bin?
Paperback books can go into the recycling bin, hardback books would need to have the covers removed. Why not donate used books that are in good condition to charity shops, local community groups or schools.
Can junk mail go in the recycling bin?
Yes any paper junk mail can go into the recycling bin, but please ensure that any plastic bags / packaging are removed. To reduce the amount of junk mail you receive you can sign up to the mail preference service.