J&B Recycling Knowledge

Summer often brings a change in the waste we produce. Paddling pools, inflatables, disposable BBQs, handheld fans and picnic packaging all become more common - but what happens when these items are placed in dry mixed recycling?

Although some may contain recyclable materials, this does not necessarily mean the complete product can be processed through a mixed recycling facility. Many are manufactured using several materials joined together, while others can become tangled in equipment, contaminate clean materials or create serious safety risks.

Here are some of the seasonal contaminants that may be hiding in your recycling bin, and why they require a different disposal route.

Paddling pools and inflatables

Paddling pools, inflatable toys and pool floats are usually made from flexible plastics such as PVC. They may also include valves, handles, seams, coatings and other attachments made from different materials.

These products cannot be processed in the same way as rigid plastic packaging, such as bottles, tubs and trays. Their materials are difficult to separate, and the flexible plastic may become caught in sorting equipment.

Before disposing of an unwanted inflatable, consider whether it can be repaired or reused. If it is no longer usable, check the guidance provided by your local authority or household waste recycling centre.

Disposable BBQs

Disposable BBQs may appear recyclable because their outer tray is often made from aluminium. However, the complete product can also contain a steel cooking grid, charcoal, ash, grease and food residue.

These materials cannot be easily separated during the dry mixed recycling process. Used BBQs can also remain hot for several hours after use, creating a fire risk if they are placed in a bin before they have cooled completely.

Always allow a disposable BBQ to cool fully and make sure it is completely extinguished before following your local disposal guidance. Never place a hot or smouldering BBQ in any waste container.

Handheld electrical fans

Small handheld fans are particularly popular during warmer weather, but they are electrical items - not ordinary plastic packaging.

A fan can contain a mixture of plastic casing, wiring, circuit boards, metal components and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. If the item is crushed or damaged during collection or processing, its battery may ignite and cause a serious fire.

Handheld fans and similar devices should be kept out of both mixed recycling and general waste. They should instead be taken to an appropriate electrical waste or battery collection point.

Remember: if an item has a plug, battery or charging cable, it will usually require a separate electrical waste route.

Hosepipes

Hosepipes are commonly made using several layers of plastic, rubber and reinforcing fibres. This combination makes the materials difficult to separate and recover.

Their length and flexibility also present an operational problem. Hosepipes can wrap around conveyors and other sorting machinery, causing blockages, reducing processing efficiency and requiring equipment to be stopped so that they can be removed safely.

If a hosepipe is still usable, consider repairing or reusing it. Otherwise, check whether it can be accepted at your local household waste recycling centre.

Food-covered packaging

Food and liquid can contaminate otherwise recyclable materials, particularly paper and cardboard.

Once oil, grease or liquid has soaked into paper fibres, it can affect the quality of the recovered material and make it unsuitable for reprocessing. Food residue can also spread onto other clean items during collection.

Packaging should be clean, empty and dry before it is placed in mixed recycling. You do not need to make every container spotless, but remaining food and liquid should be removed. Any heavily soiled sections of paper or cardboard should be separated and disposed of through the appropriate waste stream.

Why material composition matters

A common misconception is that an item can go into a recycling bin simply because it contains plastic, metal or another recyclable material.

In reality, packaging materials are normally designed to be sorted and processed in specific ways. Larger products made from bonded plastics, textiles, rubber, electrical components or several different metals may not be compatible with the same system.

Understanding what an item is made from, and how it will behave when it reaches a Materials Recovery Facility, helps explain why correct waste segregation is so important.

Check it before you bin it

Waste acceptance rules can vary depending on your collection service and local area. If you are unsure about an item, check the guidance provided by your waste collector before placing it in a recycling bin.

Over the coming weeks, J&B Recycling will be highlighting more of the contaminants found in recycling loads, explaining how they affect the sorting process and sharing practical information to help everyone manage their waste correctly.