Crews are allowed to leave your bins uncollected if they see anything that shouldn’t be there.
Rubbish could be left behind if a recycling mistake is spotted by bin crews (Image: Getty)
Households across the UK are being warned that their rubbish could be left behind if a recycling mistake is spotted by bin crews. While most people separate their waste without thinking twice, one packaging error can lead to an entire bin being rejected on collection day.
A refuse collector known online as The No1 Binman has built a large following by sharing tips about how recycling rules actually work. In one of his latest videos, he warned that people often put the wrong items into their recycling bin, and that crews are allowed to leave the waste uncollected if they see anything that shouldn’t be there.
Crews are allowed to leave the waste uncollected if they see anything that shouldn’t be there (Image: Getty)
He reminded his followers that recycling rules differ depending on where you live.
He said: “Every single council has different colour bins, so let’s not get caught up on the colour of the bins, because my black bin is my recycling bin. My green bin is my general waste bin but, where I work, it’s completely different.”
He was then asked about one specific type of packaging that many people wrongly assume can be recycled.
He said: “Pizza boxes should not be in the recycling bin. They should be in your general waste bin, whatever colour that will be.
“Let’s just make this clear, pizza boxes, general waste bin, not recycling bin. That’s all I needed to say. It doesn’t matter what colour your bin is, it goes in your general waste.”
Many people assume the boxes are fine to recycle because they’re made of cardboard, but councils have strict rules about contamination, MEN reports.
Even a small amount of grease or food residue can cause major problems for recycling facilities.
While pizza boxes can be recycled when completely clean, the base of the box is often soaked in oil or contains leftover food.
Any cardboard that is greasy or stained must go straight into general waste. However, the clean lid can still be recycled if it is free from marks.
The issue is more serious than some households realise. Refuse collectors can refuse to take away a recycling bin if they find non-recyclable items inside, and that includes greasy pizza boxes.
The base of a pizza box is often soaked in oil or contains leftover food (Image: Getty)
One contaminated item can ruin an entire load, making the whole batch unusable.
Grease stops cardboard fibres bonding properly during the pulping process, meaning the materials cannot be reused.
A single soiled box has the potential to spoil a whole lorry load of otherwise clean recycling.
Experts say the best approach is simple:
- Remove all leftover food
- Tear off any sections marked with grease or oil
- Recycle only the clean parts
Councils also publish detailed guidance on which items should never be placed in household recycling bins.
