Reducing volume/crushing plastic for recycling

Wonka_2

Local council are now accepting more types of plastic for recycling but without increasing the volume of bins available. Historically we’ve crushed cans/plastic milk bottles to utilise the space but adding food packaging in is not leaving the bin overflowing. Other than jumping in it on a regular basis has anyone any suggestions similar to the can crushers for flattening/reducing the space taken up by this stuff ?

And before anyone adds I’m trying to reduce at source (I.e what I buy) but the government/manufacturers/retailers commitments to reducing packaging waste seem to be empty promises 

molerat

You can buy a tool to compact the contents of the bin for around £40.  Seen them on daytime TV ads, also available on Ebay & Amazon.

Are you certain the council will not swap your bin for a larger one / issue another ?  Our council uses 2 x 140 litre bins for recycling but will issue another or a 240 litre on request.

Albermarle

If you have bottles ( glass and crushed plastic ones) I push mine down into the sides/corners, rather than just tip them in with the other stuff. This has the added advantage of pushing/crushing down more stuff underneath as you force the bottles  as deep as they will go. 

Wonka_2

molerat said:

You can buy a tool to compact the contents of the bin for around £40.  Seen them on daytime TV ads, also available on Ebay & Amazon.

Are you certain the council will not swap your bin for a larger one / issue another ?  Our council uses 2 x 140 litre bins for recycling but will issue another or a 240 litre on request.

These are individual containers with lids - separate ones for paper/card, glass and plastic - no chance of additional/bigger ones 

Albermarle said:

If you have bottles ( glass and crushed plastic ones) I push mine down into the sides/corners, rather than just tip them in with the other stuff. This has the added advantage of pushing/crushing down more stuff underneath as you force the bottles  as deep as they will go. 

Bottles are easy, it’s the pre-formed fruit/meat/food trays that are all different shapes/sizes and just reform if crushed

Eldi_Dos

If you get a bit of plywood/ hardboard cut to just smaller than the bin you could place that on top off bin contents weighted down with some bottles full of water, that should compact the material as you go along.

Just remember to take out prior to bin day.

TELLIT01

Ask the council for a second bin.  Ours will provide extra recycling bins if requested.

Dornfield

There are a number of "compactors" in the £40 - £50 range on Amazon. They hook round the two hinges of your wheely bin lid and then use an articulated  lever foot to press the contents of the recycling bin down to a much smaller volume. I do not have one yet, but they look credible. Search "compactor" and terms like "trash", "rubbish" and "wheely bin".

Albermarle

Dornfield said:

There are a number of "compactors" in the £40 - £50 range on Amazon. They hook round the two hinges of your wheely bin lid and then use an articulated  lever foot to press the contents of the recycling bin down to a much smaller volume. I do not have one yet, but they look credible. Search "compactor" and terms like "trash", "rubbish" and "wheely bin".

I wonder if the carbon footprint from manufacturing this and then shipping it from China ( probably), is outweighed by being able to cram more stuff in your bin?

molerat

Albermarle said:

Dornfield said:

There are a number of "compactors" in the £40 - £50 range on Amazon. They hook round the two hinges of your wheely bin lid and then use an articulated  lever foot to press the contents of the recycling bin down to a much smaller volume. I do not have one yet, but they look credible. Search "compactor" and terms like "trash", "rubbish" and "wheely bin".

I wonder if the carbon footprint from manufacturing this and then shipping it from China ( probably), is outweighed by being able to cram more stuff in your bin?

The carbon footprint of my left boot is about 0, not sure what I will do when I get a bit less agile.  A broom works as well.

Glad

Wonka_2 said:

Bottles are easy, it’s the pre-formed fruit/meat/food trays that are all different shapes/sizes and just reform if crushed

put them in some hot water and they shrink and flatten

rustybloke425

Yep. Wait until you have a bunch then pour a freshly boiled kettle on it, followed by a paving slab or similar. Flat as a pancake