Recycle Week 2023 Recap: Beyond the Bin—What Items Can You (and Should You) Recycle?
As Recycle Week 2023 (September 18–24) draws to a close, we celebrate the national commitment to increasing our recycling rates. The key message this year was clear: making recycling a habit that extends beyond the kitchen. The hard work doesn't stop here, though. To help maintain the momentum, we've compiled a quick guide on what you can recycle, focusing on the everyday items—and the critical e-waste—that often get missed.
♻️ The Standard Household Checklist
Most local councils in the UK accept these items in your kerbside collection, but always check your specific council's guidelines, as rules can vary.
- Plastics: Plastic bottles (with lids on), food trays, yogurt pots, and detergent bottles. Give them a quick rinse first.
- Paper and Cardboard: Cardboard boxes (broken down flat), newspapers, magazines, junk mail, and envelopes (even with windows).
- Metal: Food tins, drink cans, and aerosol cans (make sure they are completely empty).
- Glass: Glass bottles and jars (ensure they are empty and clean).
🔎 Don't Miss These Hidden Opportunities
During Recycle Week, we often find that many recyclable items are commonly thrown in the general waste bin simply because people are unaware they can be recycled.
- Bathroom Plastics: Shampoo and conditioner bottles, shower gel bottles, and toilet roll tubes should all go in the recycling bin.
- Aluminium Foil: Kitchen foil, bottle tops, and take-away trays can be recycled. Just scrunch them into a ball (the bigger the better) and ensure they are clean.
- Tubes and Rolls: The plastic film around magazines and the plastic wrapping from kitchen rolls are often recyclable—look for the Recycle Now label.
📱 The E-Waste Crisis: Our Core Mission
The single most important area where British households fail is in recycling e-waste, or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Devices like mobile phones, chargers, cables, and remote controls contain valuable materials (like gold and copper) and hazardous substances that must never go into your household bin.
- Mobile Phones: Phones should never be recycled via your local kerbside bin. They must be handled by specialist processors who can securely wipe data and safely recover complex materials.
- Cables and Accessories: These often contain copper and plastic. Take them to a dedicated WEEE recycling point, which can often be found at supermarkets or council tips.
By choosing reuse over recycling for your mobile phone, you ensure the device's life is extended, saving the immense energy cost of manufacturing a new one. This is the most environmentally responsible option.
Keep the spirit of Recycle Week alive! Choose to reuse your old electronics, making a positive impact on both your wallet and the planet.
Ensure your old phone's valuable materials are kept in the circular economy by selling it for reuse today: sell your old handset. Looking to buy smart and sustainable? Find your next fully guaranteed device when you buy a refurbished smartphone.
