What You Can & Can't Put Into a Bin

Without Bins, where we would be ey? 

Imagine not having these plastic containers to shield away the smell and rot of our food and waste. We would be overrun with rats and creatures, and let's be honest, nobody wants that...apart from the rats that is!

Emptying your waste into your wheelie bins shouldn't be a guessing game, all your household waste needs to placed in their correct bins. This isn't just so that your waste is organised, even though this is a positive. It is because every coloured bin has a purpose and different types of waste will be taken to different places. 

For instance, placing your plastic in your food waste bin will result in the plastic being taken to a food processing station where it would have to be thrown away rather then recycled and reused! 

In this blog, we will be running through the importance of correct waste, what you can & can't put in & tips on how to stop those pesky neighbours using up your precious bin space like the landlords in London turning a tiny bathroom into a 3 bedroom flat!

So let us open the lid and delve a little deeper into what lies beneath the smell.

What You Can Put Into Your General Waste Bin 

You guessed it...general waste. This could be:

• Non-recyclable plastics: Plastic items that cannot be recycled, such as certain types of packaging and mixed-material plastics.
• Disposable diapers and hygiene products: Nappies (diapers), sanitary pads, Pet waste tied up and other hygiene products.
• Ceramics and pottery: Broken ceramic items and pottery.
• Broken Glass : Small broken glass can be placed in your gen waste bin.

What You Can't Put in Your General Waste Bin 

We get it, general waste should mean exactly that, all the general waste in your house or business, the black bin that devours all...however, there are some items though that can't be disposed of in your general waste bin. 

These are: 

• Electrical Items: Old Computers, TVs are a big no no.
• Batteries: Never put batteries in your bin. Batteries are highly flammable & when can explode when placed under pressure. 
• Hazardous waste: Paints, Chemicals, Pesticides etc.
• Garden Waste: No garden clippings, branches, twigs etc. 
• Lightbulbs: You really aren't a bright spark if you throw this in your bin. Please do not put bulbs in the bin you bulb. 

What You Can Put Into Your Cardboard & Paper Bin 

In some places it is a green recycling bin, in others blue, the colours may change but the insides will always be the same.

• Cardboard boxes: Flatten cardboard boxes before placing them in the bin.
• Newspapers: Don't think we need to explain this one. 
• Magazines and catalogs: Glossy or non-glossy magazines are generally accepted.
• Office paper: White and colored office paper, printer paper, and copier paper.
• Cardboard packaging: Clean and flattened cardboard packaging from products.
• Cereal boxes: Make sure you empty and flatten cereal boxes for recycling.
• Paper bags: Clean, dry paper bags like gift bags etc. 
• Paperboard: Items like shoeboxes, gift boxes, and other thin cardboard materials.
• Egg cartons: Cardboard egg cartons are usually recyclable.
• Books: Be this paperback or hardback.

What You Can't Put Into Your Cardboard & Paper Bin 

• Waxed or laminated paper: Disposable cups are a good example of this. 
• Tissue paper and napkins: You may not realise this but Tissue Paper & Napkins aren't accepted due to their low fiber quality. 
• Sticky notes with adhesive: It is not the sticky notes fault. It is the adhesive that makes it unsuitable. 
• Used paper towels: Any paper towels that are stained or wet can affect the recycling process. 
• Shredded paper (check local guidelines): Shred it brooo, no but seriously shred it but don't put it in your paper bin as shredded paper can't go through the same recycling process as whole paper.  
• Foil-coated paper: So, tin-foil, parchment paper etc. 
• Excessive staples and paper clips: These metals need to be placed in your gen.waste bin.

What You Can Put Into Your Dry Mixed Recycling Bin 

• Paper: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, and flattened cardboard.
• Cardboard packaging: Clean, flattened boxes and packaging.
• Plastic: Bottles: containers, and tubs with recycling symbols.
• Glass: Bottles and jars in clear, brown, or green.
• Metal: Aluminum and steel cans, foil, trays, and lids.
• Cartons: Beverage cartons for liquids.
• Paper and cardboard food packaging: Clean boxes for dry goods.

What You Can't Put Into Your Dry Mixed Recycling Bin 

• Plastic bags: Any carrier bags and other plastic bags shouldn't be thrown in your green bin.
• Polystyrene foam: Foam cups, trays & packaging are generally not accepted.
• Food-contaminated items: Ensure that containers are empty & clean.
• Textiles and clothing: For any clothing, look for local clothing banks. 
• Electronics:
• Batteries:
• Light bulbs:
• Hazardous waste: 
• Mirrors and ceramics:
• Medical waste: Any sharp medical waste or pharmaceuticals need proper waste disposal. 

What You Can Put Into Your Glass Bin

• Glass bottles:
• Glass jars:
• Wine and beer bottles:
• Perfume and cosmetic bottles:
• Vases and glassware:

What You Can't Put Into Your Glass Bin 

• Mirrors: 7 years bad luck for breaking, and you can't even put it in your glass bin. Now that is some bad luck!
• Window glass: This is due to it being made with special glass. 
• Lightbulbs: No bright ideas come from throwing your lightbulbs into any colour bin!
• Pyrex and cookware: Again, this is due to the special glass that pyrex is created with. 
• Drinking glasses:
• Broken glass: We know it sounds strange, but broken glass needs to be placed in your general waste bin. This can be wrapped with a carrier bag or something safer. 

What You Can Put Into Your Food Waste Bin

• Fruit and vegetable scraps: Peels, cores, and other kitchen trimmings.
• Meat and fish: Including bones and skin.
• Dairy products: Cheese, yogurt, and milk products.
• Bread and grains: Leftover bread, pasta, rice, and other grains.
• Eggshells: Clean eggshells can be included.
• Coffee grounds and filters: Used coffee grounds and paper filters.
• Tea bags: Make sure the tea bags are compostable.
• Plate scrapings: Leftover food from plates.
• Expired food: Food that has passed its expiration date.
• Cooking oils and fats: Small amounts of cooking oils and fats.

What You Can't Put Into Your Food Waste Bin 

• Pet waste: Some would say this is organic, but, this needs to be tied in a sack and placed in your General Waste Bin. 
• Glass: No glass at all should be in your food waste bin. 
• Metal: Again, no metal, no plastic, nothing apart from organic food waste. 
• Plastic and packaging:

What You Can Put Into You Garden Waste Bin

• Grass clippings: Freshly cut grass from your lawn.
• Leaves: Fallen leaves from trees and shrubs.
• Branches and twigs: Small branches and pruned twigs.
• Hedge trimmings: Trimmings from hedges and bushes.
• Weeds: Non-invasive weeds without seeds.
• Plant trimmings: Trimmings from flowers, plants, and garden vegetation.
• Small amounts of soil: Small quantities of soil from pots or plant containers.
• Straw and hay: Clean straw or hay used for gardening purposes.
• Bark and wood chips: Natural wood products used for landscaping.
• Fruit and vegetable waste: Kitchen scraps from fruit and vegetable peels.

What You Can't Put Into Your Garden Waste Bin

• Large branches and logs: Bigger pieces of wood that may not break down easily.
• Treated wood: Wood that has been treated with preservatives or chemicals.
• Invasive weeds with seeds: Weeds that can spread through seeds and cause further infestation.
• Diseased plants: Plants that are infected or diseased may not be suitable for composting.
• Animal waste: Pet feces or any other animal waste.
• Rocks and stones: Non-organic materials like rocks and stones.
• Dirt or soil in large quantities: Excessive amounts of soil may not be accepted.

Wrong Stuff in the Wrong Bin? - What to do if Your Bins are Contaminated

First off...don't panic. This isn't Chernobyl, the contamination isn't going to harm anyone. You may find yourself in a bit of a pickle with your local council though.

Most UK councils may state that they aren't able to empty your bin if this is contaminated with the wrong stuff. Without going as far as getting the snorkels on and diving in yourself to help with the separation, what can you do...

Well, why not look at using a private bin company that would be happy to collect your contaminated waste? There are companies out there who will come and collect your waste.

Look at us for an example - We at BusyBins specialise on helping homeowners and businesses out in any smelly and sticky situation. From contaminated bins, bins being missed or overflowing bins that have been rejected by the council. 

How do I Stop Neighbours Using My Bin? 

Without going as far as a full scale undercover operation of midnight stakeouts to find the culprit, HOW do you stop your neighbours from using your bin?

1. Talk to them - Most problems can be solved by chatting with your neighbour. There may be a simple and honest reason for why they used your bin. If you would rather speak online, why not try the app NextDoor which connects streets and neighbours.
2. Label your bin - It could be as simple as them confusing which bin is theres and yours. By clearly labelling your bin, you avoid any confuse and make it easier to spot when the council leave it 15 doors down!
3. Time when you take your bin out - Think of like your 3 weekly pit stop. Wheel out your bin right on collection time or on the morning of your waste collection day.  
4. Lock your bin - If the waste keeps sneaking in and it isn't yours...get a lock. Wheelie Bin locks or Bin Pins can help keep your lids firmly closed. 
5. Install a camera - If they are still finding a way to break into your bins and you have the right to do so, you could look at installing cameras. 
6. Speak to your local authority - If all else fails and the problem persists. Get in touch with your local council to report the issue. You can find your local council here - https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

What Happens if your Bin is Too Heavy? 

In simple terms, you best lose that weight quick! 

If the bin is too heavy, your city council or bin company will refuse to collect this. This isn't because they like being awkward or as stubborn as a teenager, it is due to Health & Safety.

If the bin is too heavy, it could damage the truck or the arms if it is unable to be lifted. In some extreme cases it could burst the hydraulic pipes on the truck which can lead to an expensive repair. 

Will Bin Men Take My Bin with Maggots In? 

We can't promise anything from your local council, we think it would be entirely dependant on the mood of the collectors that day and how many maggots were in your bin. If you catch them on a good day, they may empty it but they could quite as easily leave it. 

At Busy Bins we would of course collect this as we are just kind like that you see! 

There are a couple things you can do try to keep the maggots away: 

• Wrap food waste securely
• Clean your bins regularly
• Keep lids closed
• Use bin liners

By regularly cleaning your bins and keeping lids closed, you can keep them maggots away for good.

What to do with Electrical Items

With the number of old phones, headphones & other electrical items we have scattered round the house, you would think we would have no problem in getting rid of them. However, it can be difficult to get rid of electrical items as they can't be placed in the bin & there isn't that much information out there to show the best place to dispose of these.

With this in mind, here are some ways of getting rid of your unwanted electrics:

• Recycle: Many areas have designated e-waste recycling facilities or collection events. Check with your local municipality or waste management authority to find a location where you can drop off electronic items for recycling.
• Retailer Take-Back Programs: Some retailers or manufacturers offer take-back programs where you can return old electronic items for recycling when purchasing new ones. Check with the store where you bought the item or visit the manufacturer's website for information.
• Donation: If your electronic items are still in working condition, consider donating them to charities, schools, or your community. Many organizations accept used electronics for reuse.
• Manufacturer Recycling Programs: Some electronics manufacturers have their own recycling programs. Look on the packaging or online on the manufacturer website to get some more details. 
• Check with Local Authorities: Check on your GOV website to find out if there are any local places that collect or reuse electrical items.  

What to do with Bulky Items

• Check with council: Most UK councils offer bulky item removals.  Have a look on your local council site to see if they offer this service. 
• Hire bulky waste company: Hire a private company to deal with your bulky items. 
• Donate or Sell: Search online to see if there is a local recycling centre near you, or, donate to a charity shop. Some charities will come and collect the items from you. 
• Upcycling or Repurposing: Get creative with it. Look to re-purpose your sofa with new fabric or get the kids involved in a DIY project. 
• Rent a skip: This is an easy way to get all your bulky rubbish taken away at once. Bear in mind though you would have to have a few bulky items to throw away to make the price worthwhile for you.