can you recycle crisp packets

Coveredinbees!!!!

as in put them in the recycle bin, not make crisp packet sandals or anything like that. I have been bunging them in but the symbol I thought means recycle (see here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Dot_symbol ) actually means something different. Should I stop doing it?

Ben84

As far as I'm aware, no councils collect crisp packets in their recycle bins. This type of material is a composite of plastic (sometimes more than one type) and aluminium, making it very difficult to recycle.

To find out what is accepted in your recycle bin, you can visit:

http://www.recyclenow.com/

Enter your postcode and look under the "what can I recycle at home" tag for a list of materials. Typically, the only plastic accepted are plastic bottles, while other items like trays, pots, films and bags aren't accepted, but you really need to check in your local area.

It's also useful to look at their map of your local recycling banks, which often take items like pure aluminium foil, tetrapak cartons and plastic bags, which most councils don't collect from houses.

Coveredinbees!!!!

Well that sorted out my question I typed in my post code and it says crisp packets are accepted. Job, jobbed. :j

We must be way ahead of the game in Bedfordshire.

P__G

fabulous - here is to more recycling!!

Cardew

Taking this very serious subject further, how about toenail clippings? - unvarnished or painted - earwax?

Coveredinbees!!!!

It my seem frivolous to you but I would rather stick something in the recycle bin, as it takes pretty much no effort on my part than bug it in the general bin. I only have to go either left or right out the front door to achieve this.

withabix

In many areas, all that carefully separated recycling that you put in your (up to 9) different boxes/bins is co-mingled (ie mixed back together again) when it reaches the MRF (materials recovery facility), where different pieces of equipment separate it all again, because machines do it better than you do!

hethmar

Well, our council says No to crisp packets, envelopes (the sticky stuff apparently causes problems on the conveyors), no to any sort of waxed paper or yoghurt pots or any plastic other than bottles

mama67

check out www.myzerowaste.com they have all sorts of ideas for unusual things including crisp packets

Freddie_Snowbits

Inaccurate where I live. the bin inspectors do not take shredded paper, food waste or garden waste.

NO MORE GREENWASH


www.recyclenow.com

GL10

Ben84

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

Inaccurate where I live. the bin inspectors do not take shredded paper, food waste or garden waste.

NO MORE GREENWASH


www.recyclenow.com

GL10

It's accurate for both my houses (different counties), but maybe there are errors in there, or the advice is not clear (I'm now wondering if by composting they mean compost it yourself in the garden?).

Anyway, the site should tell you what will be collected by the council from your house, but its not always so clear in what way. Maybe these things you mentioned are accepted, just not in the main recycle bin? You may have to request garden waste bins for example, the local council here don't give them out as standard.

If your follow the links at the bottom of the page, once you've entered your post coded and taken the "what can I recycle at home" link, it should link to your local council who should give more detailed information.