What Are the Guidelines for Recycling in My Area?

Question

What are the guidelines for recycling in my area?

AskMyCouncil · Accepted Answer

In Durham, recycling involves using specific containers and following guidelines to ensure materials are processed correctly. It's essential to know what goes in each bin to avoid contamination and maximize recycling efforts.
Here are the key guidelines for recycling in your area:
Container Acceptable Items Non-Acceptable Items Recycling Bin Plastic bottles (washed), food tins, glass bottles/jars, paper (non-glossy) Black plastic food trays, polystyrene, plastic bags, crisp packets Food Waste Caddy Plate scrapings, vegetable peelings, eggshells, tea bags Cooked food, meat, and dairy Rubbish Bin Household waste (non-recyclable), pet waste, nappies, soiled items Any recyclable material that should go in recycling bin Additional Notes:
Always place recyclables loose in the recycling bin; avoid using black bags. If needed, extra items can be placed in a clear bag beside the bin.
Contaminated items risk rejecting an entire batch of recyclables, so if you're not sure about an item, it's safer to put it in the rubbish bin.
For more detailed information, you can check the Reuse and Recycling A-Z page.

Container	Acceptable Items	Non-Acceptable Items
Recycling Bin	Plastic bottles (washed), food tins, glass bottles/jars, paper (non-glossy)	Black plastic food trays, polystyrene, plastic bags, crisp packets
Food Waste Caddy	Plate scrapings, vegetable peelings, eggshells, tea bags	Cooked food, meat, and dairy
Rubbish Bin	Household waste (non-recyclable), pet waste, nappies, soiled items	Any recyclable material that should go in recycling bin