Recycling contamination a huge problem

Recycling contamination continues to be a huge problem throughout Gateshead, so we're urging residents to think twice about what they're putting in their recycling bins.

With each collection, tonnes of valuable materials are being wasted due to non-recyclable items being placed in recycling bins, at a huge cost to the Council, both financially and environmentally. 

As well as putting bottles, cans, paper, cardboard, and other recyclable materials in their recycling bins, some residents are putting in black bags and carrier bags, soiled nappies, food waste, gardening waste, greasy takeaway boxes and containers, large plastic toys, batteries, electrical items, and full bottles of liquids.

Councillor Linda Green, Cabinet Member for Communities and Volunteering said: "Most people recycle responsibly, which is great, but unfortunately some for whatever reason don't get it right, and it's rendering whole bin loads, and even entire lorry loads of recycling unusable. Nappies and food waste I find particularly disappointing. Imagine how unpleasant it is for our staff who sort these materials to find something like this amongst a larger load."

Top tips for recycling right

• Check our A to Z of recycling for a comprehensive list of items that can and cannot be placed in your recycling bin
• If in doubt, leave it out - if you are unsure if an item can be placed in your recycling bin, leave it out or place in your household waste bin
• Wash and squash - rinse food waste from containers and bottles and fold any cardboard.

Our waste collection teams will increasingly refuse to empty any recycling bins that are obviously contaminated until the offending items have been removed.