North Ayrshire Council is calling on residents to not let their recycling efforts go to waste by ensuring they use the right bins for the right waste.
Recycle Week 2024 kicks off on October 14 and the council is encouraging everyone to avoid contaminating their recycling bins.
Recycling contamination is caused by people putting the wrong things in their recycling bins. This means they then can't be recycled at all, or it can reduce the quality of other recycling, making it unusable.
Doing this means people could have wasted a lot of effort. Don’t let your efforts go to waste!
Recycling is a simple, yet essential part of solving the climate crisis. Every individual has the chance to make a difference, just by placing recyclable materials into the correct bin.
Simple things you can do help avoid contamination are rinsing your cans, bottles and food containers so that they don’t impact on other materials.
Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy said:
"Here at North Ayrshire Council, we are delighted to support Recycle Week 2024. During Recycle Week, we are asking residents to carry on their good work by not letting their good recycling go to waste. The cleaner our recycling is, the less waste is disposed of. A small effort like giving your containers a light rinse can make a big difference, and it is something that only takes a few seconds. Please play your part – and remember cleaning things like cans and bottles makes all the difference."
Council Waste Awareness Officers will be at the following locations offering advice and information to members of the public during Recycle Week:
Tuesday 15 October, 10am to 3pm - Fullarton Church Café, Church Street Irvine
Thursday 17 October, 11am to 1pm – Cunninghame Furniture Recycling Company, Third Avenue, Irvine
Also, look out for guidance boards at libraries and supermarkets.
Please do not put the following items in your blue or purple bins:
black bags/plastic bags/plastic foils
food/garden waste
clothes/shoes/textiles
duvets/pillows/cushions
nappies/sanitary products
polystyrene/wood
vapes/batteries/electrical items
animal waste
Items including electronics, vapes, batteries, nappies, textiles, plastic wrap and plastic bags are the main offenders when it comes to contaminating. You can dispose of these items as follows:
electronics – your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC)
vapes/batteries – shops who sell these should take them back, most major supermarkets and recycling centres (except car batteries)
nappies - grey bin
textiles - clothing banks, HWRCs and charity shops (if in good condition)
plastic wrap and plastic bags - most major supermarkets take them, otherwise - grey bin