But while this a big step in the right direction, as many as 85% of us unknowingly contaminate our recycling bins¹ with unrecyclable items on a daily basis. Below is a list of some common household items that cannot be recycled from home.

Certain Plastics
Plastics are one of the trickiest items to recycle as there are so many varieties that are easy to confuse. You might have glanced at a milk carton or plastic tray and seen a triangle made up of three arrows and a number in the middle. Recyclable, right? But actually, whether it can be recycled depends on the number in the triangle that indicates the type of plastic it is. Here is a quick guide:

Widely Recycled:
1: Polyethylene terephthalate - This plastic is often found in soft drink bottles.

2: High-density polyethylene - Milk bottles are made with this type of plastic.

Needs Checking:
3: Polyvinyl chloride - More commonly known as PVC, this plastic is found in many items but is usually not recyclable from home.

4: Low-density polyethylene - This is found in plastic bags and are recyclable, but not in the household. Try a supermarket instead.

5: Polypropylene - You might recognise this flexible plastic from your takeaway containers. Check with your local council to see if can be recycled curb side.

Not usually recycled:
6: Polystyrene - Can be found in Styrofoam and plastic cutlery.

7: Other - This refers to all other plastics which are not generally recycled apart from specialist centres.

Batteries
Most batteries can be recycled, but not at home. Due to the corrosive liquid inside ofthem, they need to be handled carefully, and disposing of them incorrectly means they could end up in landfills. Look out for battery collection containers which can be found in many supermarkets or other public buildings around the UK.

Ceramics and Kitchenware
Items such as ceramic plates and bowls or heavy-bottomed cooking trays have a high melting point, meaning that they are perfect for ovens and hot food, but not for recycling facilities. Consider donating ceramics and kitchenware that are still in good condition to local charity shops so they can be reused. However, broken ceramics can be hazardous if you try to recycle them, so make sure they are properly wrapped in newspaper before you dispose of them in the waste bin. You can also check with your local council as some Household Waste Recycling Centres accepts these items.

Greasy or Waxy Paper and Cardboard
Thinking about recycling that old pizza box? Think again. Cardboard or paper plates that have grease or oil on them will not mix with the water used during the recycling process. If your cardboard or paper has food waste on it, put it in the bin, as it can contaminate other items in your recycling box.

Many cartons for juice, milk or other liquids are coated in wax on the inside to stop the paper from breaking down. However, this also means that the cartons are often not eligible for recycling and should be disposed of in the waste bin instead or repurposed for other uses, such as plant pots.

Household Glassware
Glass is a commonly recycled item as it can be used over and over again without losing any of its original quality. However, most household glassware, such as window glass, wine glasses, lightbulbs and mirrors are not recyclable due to their high melting point.

You can dispose of these safely by wrapping them in newspaper and putting them in the waste bin, but for an eco-friendlier solution, try looking on Pinterest for upcycling ideas and inspiration.

Electronics
With constant upgrades available for phones, TVs, tablets and laptops, it can be challenging to know what to do with our used or broken tech. The UK is one of the largest producers of electronic waste, or E-waste, and many people simply choose to hold on to their old tech rather than dispose of it correctly.

E-waste is not an item that can be recycled from the household, so look online for your closest dedicated E-waste facility. If the tech is still useable, consider donating it to a charity or gifting it to a family or friend who needs it.

Clothes
In the UK, we throw away about 336,000 tonnes of clothes every year (2), most of which is still reusable. Next time your closet gets a little spring cleaning, try donating good quality items to a local charity shop. You can also look online to find your closest clothes bank, often found in supermarket car parks. Some major fashion brands, such as Primark and Next, provide a clothes donation service, while some charities even offer to collect old clothes from your home.

Author: Shirley Carruthers - Content Creator at ParkerSteel

References:
1.) recyclingbins.co.uk/recycling-stats
2.) recyclenow.com/clothing-textiles