HUNDREDS of adults are still confused about what they can and can’t recycle, a report has found.
A study found that as many as eight in 10 households are not recycling simple items like cardboard, plastic and food.
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It surveyed 2,000 adults and found a quarter don’t feel educated enough about what they can and can’t throw away – and the impact this could have on the environment.
While 42% feel there are so many misconceptions and myths around recycling, they probably don’t do it properly and still find it confusing.
Only 42% break down their cardboard boxes for pick-up, and 59% don’t think to put paper anywhere other than their general waste bin.
Food (81%), aluminium foil (73%), newspapers (65%) and wine bottles (67%) also get chucked in with their general rubbish.
The stats emerged after Robinsons commissioned the research ahead of Recycle Week.
Charlotte White, from Robinsons, said: “Clearly, the large majority of Brits try their best when it comes to recycling, but it’s not always simple when it comes to knowing what you can and can’t recycle.
“There are many myths that can add to the confusion when deciding what to put in your boxes for your collection, or what you can or cannot take to a recycling centre.
“However, we hope we can help with the insight from the experts, to give some clarity on the everyday items that you can recycle with confidence to help do your bit.”
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The study also found a quarter of adults admitted their recycling boxes are only ever half full when it comes to bin day.
And while 66% try to recycle as much as they can, 55% are still very unclear about what can be collected, and what can’t.
Other items likely to be popped into the rubbish bin include bulbs, compost, grass clippings and pizza boxes.
While others don’t think to recycle magazines, envelopes or aluminium foil – all of which can be easily recycled.
But three in 10 adults often find items they have put in their recycling boxes are still there after the collection has taken place – as they weren’t deemed suitable.
Busy schedules was the reason 24% do not organise items into their bins each week.
While 21% said their children are more likely to educate them on their impact on the planet.
And less than one in five can’t be bothered to recycle – and opt to put everything in the rubbish bin instead.
Here are the top 10 things Brits aren’t recycling and how you can:
1. Fluorescent bulbs – take these back to your Household Recycling centre to be safely recycled
2. Compost – is great for the garden or place into the kerbside green waste bin if you have one
3. Food – can be put in food waste collections where available
4. Grass clippings – place into the kerbside green waste bin if you have one, or take these to your local recycling centre
5. Aluminium foil – remove any food residue first before recycling at home
6. Pizza boxes – remove any food residue first before recycling at home
7. Milk bottles – empty, rinse and pop the top back on before recycling
8. Food containers – empty, rinse and remove any food residue
9. Wine bottles – empty, rinse
10. Magazines – remove any plastic packaging and place in paper bin
Earlier this year British women’s number one tennis player, Johanna Konta, joined forces with the online retailer Abel & Cole to demonstrate the scrunch test to work out what can and can’t be recycled.
Johanna said: “I care enormously about the environment and always try my hardest to make positive contributions to it – whether that’s at home or being vocal about plastic use within my sport.
“But even I struggle to know what I can and can’t recycle at home.”
