There are two critically important facts about recycling that most people these days are fully aware of:
- Most things can be recycled
- It’s something we should all be doing more of
For the most part, separating household rubbish and making sure we do our ‘bit’ for the environment is something most do instinctively. But what many don’t realise is that when it comes to recyclable items of waste, there are huge differences from one to the next. Specifically, some everyday items are so much more difficult and complicated to recycle than others.
As for what can be done…well, it’s up to the manufacturers really, given that they’re the ones putting them both into production and out into the public domain. But if you’d ever wondered what specific items recycling companies simply cannot stand the sight of, the following five examples are apparently the worst offenders of all:
- Pringles Cans. They may come across as simple enough, but there’s apparently no bigger thorn in the side of the recycler than the humble Pringles can. Not to mention, other snack brands that use the same containers, of course. It’s the way in which various materials are used in a manner that makes them difficult or impossible to separate. Take a look next time you pick one up and you’ll see what they’re getting at.
- Sports Drinks. It was Lucozade Sport that was highlighted in particular, but apparently dozens of sports drinks with these kinds of bottles are just as bad. It’s not that they can’t be recycled, but more than way in which the complicated bottles cause havoc with the automated scanners and machinery in recycling plants. As a result, they typically have to be sorted and processed by hand – millions and millions of them!
- Spray Bottles. Though it often says on many household cleaning products that the bottle is recyclable, the same typically doesn’t apply to its other parts. So while the main bottle itself can be recycled, the spray attachment at the top and its other components often cannot. Still, they get thrown into recycling bins as one complete item, thus causing all manner of sorting problems further down the line.
- Black Plastic Food Trays. You know the ones – the trays most ready-meals come in, for which black is chosen for no other reason than to make the food look more appealing in terms of colour. They stain the cardboard which then cannot be recycled, while the trays themselves become worthless of thrown away with torn film still attached and cardboard below it.
- Whisky Boxes. Last but not least, those whisky boxes and packaging that make premium-branded bottles look so much more prestigious really do nothing at all for recyclers. It’s a very similar story to that of the Pringles can – far too many different materials assembled in a manner that makes them pretty much impossible to separate. They might look good, but aren’t exactly a sight for sore eyes for those dealing with them further down the line!
