Binfluencers urge ‘rethink, recycle, repeat’ to improve recycling rates
The campaign has two aims: to improve recycling rates in the borough and to decrease contaminated waste.
Contamination happens when items which cannot be recycled are placed in the green bin. This could lead to a load of recycling being rejected and instead sent to the incinerator.
Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate, said,
“We know that recycling rates have improved in the borough, but we still need to do much better.
“It’s time to rethink before we throw things away. Let’s get this right and create less unnecessary waste in Waltham Forest. Lots of items that contaminate our recycling bins can be collected by our crews – just by leaving them on top of the bin. This includes small electrical items, clothing and shoes and batteries.
“We also have three free-to-use recycling centres which accept even more items such as metal and wood. You can even take packaging polystyrene to our South Access Road recycling centre too, so why not grab yours and your neighbours and take a trip?
“By doing your bit, and rethinking when you're sorting your recycling, you can help us make our neighbourhoods more sustainable for the future.”
The most common contaminants here in Waltham Forest are:
The most common contaminants here in Waltham Forest are:
Item |
Rethink |
Shoes |
Take to recycling centre or leave on top of your green bin |
Textiles |
Take to recycling centre or leave on top of your green bin |
Coat Hangers |
Take to charity shop for re-use |
Electrical items |
Arrange a large item collection or place small items on top of your green bin |
Wood |
Take to recycling centre |
Food packaging containing food |
Empty the container of food, wash and put in recycling bin |
Food Waste |
Put into brown food and garden waste |
Nappies |
Put into black bin |
Packaged Polystyrene |
Collect and take to Kings Road recycling centre in Chingford |
Metal |
Take to recycling centre |
We also have three free-to-use recycling centres which accept even more items such as hangers, metal and wood.
Are you interested in recycling and want to help your community make positive change? Then why not become a recycle right binfluencer! You’ll receive the latest news and updates direct from our recycling team and be equipped to help your neighbourhoods make positive change.
And don’t forget to give our reuse shop on Kings Road, Chingford a visit too. You’ll find bargains galore, and can shop for treasure – sustainably!