Recycling info hub

Most household recycling collections accept everyday items such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, plastic pots, tubs and trays, glass bottles and jars, steel tins and aluminium cans. Some councils also accept aerosols and food cartons.

However, not every council collects exactly the same materials, so it’s always worth checking your local authority’s guidance if you’re unsure.

One thing’s for certain, though: putting the right items in your recycling bin helps reduce contamination, meaning more materials can be recycled into new products instead of being rejected.

Different councils use different collection vehicles, recycling facilities and processing contractors, which means they don’t all accept the same materials. Even the colour of your recycling bin can vary from one area to another.

The Government is working towards making household recycling more consistent across England, but for now there are still local differences. That’s why it’s always best to follow your own council’s guidance.

Your recycling doesn’t have to be spotless, but it should be empty and given a quick rinse to remove leftover food or drink. A yoghurt pot with a small smear left inside is usually fine; one that’s half full isn’t.

Rinsing containers helps prevent unpleasant smells, keeps insects away and reduces the risk of contaminating other recyclable materials.

This is known as contamination, and it’s one of the biggest challenges facing the recycling industry.

Some incorrectly placed items can be removed during the sorting process, but others can contaminate an entire load of recycling. In some cases, that means perfectly recyclable materials can no longer be recycled.

If you’re ever unsure about an item, it’s always better to check than guess. A few seconds of research can help prevent a whole load of recycling from going to waste.

In most cases, no.

Household Waste Recycling Centres (often known as ‘the tip’) are intended for waste generated by residents at home. Businesses have a legal Duty of Care to ensure their waste is handled responsibly, which means using a licensed waste carrier and keeping the appropriate paperwork.

Whether you run a small office, café, workshop, farm or construction company, Hamptons Group can provide compliant recycling and waste management services tailored to your business.

Some items require specialist treatment and should never be placed in your household recycling bin.

Many of these materials can still be recycled safely, but they need to be taken to the appropriate recycling facility or collected separately.

Your recycling goes on quite a journey!

Once collected, it’s taken to a specialist sorting facility where different materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics and metals are separated. They are then cleaned, processed and prepared to become raw materials for new products.

Old drinks cans can become new cans, plastic bottles can be turned into new packaging, and cardboard can begin life all over again as boxes. Recycling helps keep valuable materials in use for longer and reduces the need to extract new raw materials.

Recycling does much more than keep waste out of landfill.

It helps conserve natural resources, reduces the amount of energy needed to manufacture new products, lowers greenhouse gas emissions and supports a more sustainable, circular economy where materials are reused instead of thrown away.

Every correctly recycled item is a small step towards reducing waste and making better use of the resources we already have.

If your business produces waste, you have a legal Duty of Care.

That means you’re responsible for making sure your waste is stored safely, collected by a licensed waste carrier and transferred with the correct documentation. Many businesses also need to separate recyclable materials from general waste in line with current legislation.

Getting your recycling right isn’t just good for the environment – it also helps your business remain compliant and demonstrate its commitment to sustainability.

Improving your recycling doesn’t have to mean turning your workplace upside down.

Often, small changes can make a big difference. Choosing the right containers, separating recyclable materials, training staff and reviewing how waste is produced can all help reduce the amount of general waste your business generates.

At Hamptons Group, we work with businesses across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire to create practical recycling solutions that are both cost-effective and compliant. Whether you need trade waste bins, skip hire, scrap metal recycling or a waste audit, our experienced team is here to help you recycle more and waste less.