If you are trying to encourage your family to recycle, you are doing something quite honourable, especially now when domestic waste recycling rates in England are witnessing a major fall. Recycling is important because it:
- Protects the environment
- Fights global warming
- Creates green job opportunities
- Conserves important natural resources
However, while there are a lot of people who want to make the world a better and greener place by recycling as much of their household waste as possible, many of them are not even aware that they are making several crucial mistakes. That is why we deem it important to take the time to look at some of the most common recycling mistakes that people in the UK are making today.
Thinking that paper coffee cups are recyclable
Most paper coffee cups cannot be recycled since they have a thin layer of polyethylene on them. It prevents the cup from leaking but because of it, most recycling companies do not even bother taking such items because their recycling process is much more laborious and expensive.
Not removing the top of plastic bottles
If a plastic bottle has a water dispenser or some other big plastic part attached to its top, it cannot be recycled. But worry not – all you need to do to make such plastic bottles recyclable is to remove their top.
Removing labels from cans and bottles
One thing you don’t need to bother doing is removing the labels of bottles and cans which are recyclable. There is no such a requirement or actual need to do that. We bet that you have probably wasted a lot of your precious time removing plastic bottle labels, right? No more!
Not all types of glass can be recycled
There is more than one type of glass and not all of them can be recycled. In most of the cases, those include items made of heat-treated glass, such as wine glasses. They require a different, more complex recycling process with which not many companies in the industry are willing to deal.
Recyclables covered in food
If you have a food container that you want to be recycled, wash it. Recyclables that are covered with food will not be recycled because they can contaminate the other recycled products. As a result, such junk usually ends up at the rubbish depot and not at a recycling facility.
Not using eco-friendly rubbish removal services
Junk Removals London offers green rubbish removals in Slade Green DA8 and in many other districts in Greater London. But many other companies in the waste collection industry are not committed to providing their clients with environmentally friendly services. That is why when you need to use professional assistance such as speedy loft clearance services in London, you must first research the company you are thinking of hiring. It needs to be properly registered and fully insured. In addition to that, a reliable rubbish removal business works in partnership with local junk depots and recycling facilities. If the people you hire tend to drop off piles of junk at non-designated locations, do not put your trust in them.