Recycle Right

Although residents in East Herts are doing a good job with recycling, we have been receiving a lot of items that cannot be recycled in our mixed recycling bins. We know that it can be confusing as to what can and cannot be recycled and even committed recyclers may not get it right 100% of the time, so this campaign aims to help make recycling simpler.

Don't forget you can always refer to our A-Z guide for what can go in each of your bins. 

We now collect paper separately from your other recyclables.

The cardboard and paper are transported to Edwards Recycling who turn it into fibre products.

Because the cardboard and paper has been sorted by you and has been kept free of contamination, it is more valuable and can easily be recycled back. This prevents waste and also conserves resources and energy used when making fibre based products from scratch.

What can go in my cardboard and paper bin?

Yes No
White envelopes including with windowsWrapping paper with plastic coating
All paper colours except brown, including shreddedTissue paper (refuse bin)
Junk mail Greaseproof paper
Newspapers and magazines (remove any plastic wrapping) 
Brochures and catalogues  
Books (pages only, please remove cover and spine) 
Post-it notes  
Wrapping paper (plain without plastic and embellishments)  
Brown paper and envelopes (mixed recycling bin) 
Cardboard (cereal boxes, corrugated packaging) 

 


 

Plastics you can recycle in your black-lidded mixed recycling bin

Please make sure all of your plastics are clean and empty before putting them into your mixed recycling bin.

Type of plastic Examples
Washing productsWashing-up liquid bottles
Fabric softener bottles
Food trays and containersYoghurt pots, food 'pots/tubs' for soup, noodles and cakes
Meat trays
Margarine tubs
Ready-meal containers
Punnet-style containers that hold fruit / vegetables, such as mushrooms or grapes
Health and beautyHair gel containers
Facial or body cream pots
Shampoo and Conditioner bottles
Sun cream bottles
BottlesMilk bottles
Squash bottles
Water bottles
Cleaning ProductsTubs for cleaning products, such as stain remover and detergent
Detergent bottles
Cleaning fluid bottles
Bleach bottles
Garden and garageFertiliser and lawn care bottles
Pesticide and pest care bottles
Weed killer bottles
Plastic bags and wrappingsBread bags, fruit nests, cereal bags, carrier bags, crisp packets, cling film shrink wrap, plastic film lids, bubble wrap

 

Don't forget to also recycle cartons, glass, cans, aerosols and clean foil.

Plastics that cannot be recycled 

 Plant pots (greater than 9cm in diameter)
BucketsPaint tins
ToysLipstick
Pressed powder containers 

 

 

Plastics you can recycle at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre

  • Hard plastics from the home and garden
  • Plastic toys 

For more information on locations and opening times of your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre, visit www.wasteaware.org.uk.

The problems with putting items that can’t be recycled into your recycling bin are:

  • They can spoil the recyclable items. Just think what a dirty nappy could do to clean recyclables! Please make sure you keep your recyclables clean and empty.
  • It might mean they can’t be recycled. Some items such as electrical goods need specialist equipment to process them for recycling which is only available if they are collected at a Household Waste Recycling Centre (dump or tip).
  • It increases the likelihood of our recycling facilities rejecting whole lorry loads and them being sent to landfill – which has both a negative effect on the environment and the council tax payers’ wallet.
  • It means it can’t be reused – charity shops are a good option for suitable items in good condition, such as toys, furniture and books.
  • It costs council tax payers more due to longer sorting times and processing costs.

How to make sure you're recycling properly

  • Ensure recyclables are clean before you place them in your bin.
  • Use our online A-Z guide which shows what items go in each bin.
  • If in doubt, leave it out – this helps ensure we are only sending the right materials to be recycled.

The benefits of recycling right

Recycling right really does make a difference:

  • It enables us to collect good clean recycling that can be turned into something new.
  • It can boost East Hertfordshire’s recycling rate.
  • With your help we can recycle even more of the correct items.

The most common incorrect items found in the mixed recycling bin

  • Hard plastics – such as toys
  • Electrical items
  • Food waste
  • Black bags of general rubbish
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