• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

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Recycling Firm tells Householders not to get Confused by Refuse Rules

Screen Shot 2015-06-25 at 15.51.39A RECYCLING firm has told householders not to let any confusion over recycling put them off being green champions.

With several councils across the UK refusing to empty bins due to high levels of contamination, J&B Recycling has used National Recycling Week to clear up some myths.

The company, who has a number of sorting facilities in the North East, processes thousands of tonnes of waste from across the UK and says that people are often confused by what they can and can’t put into recycling bins

J&B Recycling takes delivery of the waste before putting it through several high tech sorting systems, dividing the rubbish into groups of plastic, paper, aluminium, glass and the like before bundling it up and sending out further along the recycling chain to be reused.

But that process is significantly held up when the waste is mixed, with ‘contamination’ such as left over food, making the plastics and papers worthless.

Mark Penny, Commercial Manager at J&B Recycling, says there are lots of ‘myths’ about recycling and feels people are often confused about what they can and can’t recycle.

Mark said: “I’ve heard people talk about ‘the bin police’ and express frustrations when bins aren’t taken away, and I would urge them not to get frustrated. There are varying requirements when it comes to recycling depending on who the local authority is.

“What can be recycled in one area may not be suitable for another system. But the basics will always remain the same, and that’s what we are trying to get through to people.

“The biggest problem for all down the recycling chain is contaminated waste. Keep the likes of food waste, dirty nappies or things like cooking oil out of the recycling bin.

“There has been a lot of talk around pizza boxes and whether they are recyclable or not. As there are no hard and fast rules, the bottom line is, take any food remains out and they should be fine, unless they are swimming in grease.”

Mark spoke out to coincide with National Recycling Week, which runs from June 22-28.

He went on: “There tends to be two groups of people when it comes to contamination of recycling.

“There is the person who thinks they are doing the right thing but making simple mistakes that sometimes ends up doing more harm than good.

“Then there is the other type of person who just wants to get rid of the rubbish any way they can, and if that means by hiding the wrong type of waste in the wrong bin then so be it.

“But if the system is adhered to, then it is beneficial for everyone. If people recycle correctly, then the councils will save money and that could be reflected in things like council tax payments.

“If a local authority has a rise in waste disposal costs because of contamination of recycling bins , then that is an added financial burden. There are also European recycling percentages which have to be met, but ultimately everything boils down to money with budgets to work to.

“The advice would be to stick to what the local authority asks for, then it makes the whole process a lot smoother. If in doubt check your local council’s website or give them a call.”

J&B Recycling, which was shortlisted in the green category at the North East Business Awards, employs almost 200 staff.

It recycles approximately 120,000 tonnes of waste each year from household, commercial, industrial and construction sources with customers including car parts manufacturer Nifco UK, Camerons Brewery and dozens of community buildings, pubs and restaurants.

By admin