Recycling Day: Expert Tips for Recycling at Home

Every year, the world uses up billions of tonnes of the Earth’s natural resources to keep up with human demand, which will eventually run out.

To help preserve these resources and encourage a more circular economy, recycling has become a key component, saving over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions annually.

Whilst recycling has become an everyday ritual for many households, thousands of people across the UK are still searching for queries related to the topic every month.

For this Global Recycling Day, experts from sustainable retailer, Ecovibe, help set the record straight by answering the top questions asked around this important topic.

Why is recycling important?

Recycling has been around since 1874, however, over 1,300 people are still searching each month to find out why it is so important.

Joe Battle, founder of Ecovibe explains, ‘Recycling reduces the need for raw materials, saving natural resources which are likely to eventually run out.’

‘Products made from recycled materials also create fewer carbon emissions than products made from new materials, which helps to reduce global warming and tackle climate change.’

Experts also say landfill sites produce toxic substances, which pollute air and land, meaning the fewer materials in landfills, the better.

What goes in what bin?

There is also confusion around what to put in the various recycling bins, with over  3,000 collective monthly searches for bin-related queries.

Battle simplifies here, ‘Different councils have different systems, so it is very important to check on your local council site as to what you should be putting in each bin.’

However, he explains that, in most cases, general household waste goes in the black bin, including food waste, and dry recyclables go in the blue bin, such as paper, cardboard, eggboxes. Bottles and jars, such as beer and wine bottles, go in the brown recycling bin and red recycling bins take plastics, such as washed yoghurt pots, empty haircare bottles and plastic bottles.

Green recycling bins, which are very popular can also take the glass and plastic recyclables too, whilst garden waste bins take natural products, such as twigs and grass trimmings.

But what can’t be recycled? Despite advances in recycling, there are various items that must not be placed in the recycling bin.

• Pizza boxes
• Lightbulbs
• Post-it notes
• Wire hangers
• Mirrors
• Coffee cups

How to get organised

Almost 1,000 brits each month are also wondering when their recycling day is.

‘Recycling day is different for each area. A simple way to find out your local bin day is to use the government’s official search tool – https://www.gov.uk/rubbish-collection-day.’, says Battle.

This simple tool allows you to enter your postcode, and it will take you through to your local council’s site to reveal the dates for the collection of black, green and brown bins.

By following these simple rules, recycling should become an easy everyday habit that will collectively help protect our planet and its resources.

https://www.globalrecyclingday.com/