Overview
- Mixing materials such as paper or cardboard into plastic recycling is cited as the main reason bins are left uncollected.
- The bin worker says crews leave a bin if they can see it is more than about 10% contaminated, based on a quick visual check of the top.
- Collectors are not allowed to rummage through bins and say heavy workloads mean they cannot sort residents’ waste on the spot.
- Contaminated loads may be diverted to landfill or incineration, and many UK councils enforce strict bin rules with non-collection or fines for breaches.
- Other refuse workers echoed the guidance in comments, urging proper sorting and advising people to retrieve bins promptly so they are not blown down the street.