Frustrated by your full recycling bin not being collected? You might be making a simple mistake! A binman on TikTok, Ashley aka “No1 Binman,” has revealed that using black bin liners in your recycling bin could lead to your waste not being picked up. Did you know about this?
Ashley shares that while using large wheelie bin liners for general waste is fine, they shouldn’t be used for recycling. The reason? Black bags aren’t recyclable, and placing recycling inside them means everything in the bag might get treated as general waste – even if it’s left open. Plus, these bags can get tangled in recycling lorries, causing further issues.
In his TikTok video, Ashley reminds us: “Recycling should be loose in the bin.” Some viewers were stunned, saying they had no idea this was a rule, while others found it “petty.” But there’s a good reason for it — keeping recyclables loose helps ensure everything gets properly sorted and recycled.
Besides using black bags, there are other reasons your bin might be left behind. Overfilled bins, damaged lids, and putting non-recyclables like food waste or soft plastics in recycling bins can also result in collection refusal. It’s worth checking your local council’s guidelines to avoid these issues!
Let’s help keep recycling smooth and effective. Share this tip and make sure your recyclables are ready for the next collection day. 🌍♻️
Have you ever faced a similar issue? Tell us in the comments!