The States of Guernsey has issued a plea to households to be more careful with plastic recycling to avoid bags being left uncollected.
Every day items have been highlighted such as polythene, thin film plastic, carrier bags, and crisp packets, that are considered ‘contamination’ by processors and shouldn’t be placed in blue recycling bags.
According to Guernsey Waste’s Contracts and Compliance Manager Rachel Lowe, putting these film items in general waste will not incur extra costs for households as the material is “lightweight and easily compressed”.
She noted that “as far as these film items are considered, doing the right thing should not cost households any more. It will actually reduce the overall cost to islanders.”
Due to current contamination levels, blue bags are undergoing additional sorting, which incurs unnecessary costs.
The States have confirmed that parish collection contractors are to leave behind bags that contain film items to “break the cycle” of contamination.
Guernsey Waste had made a similar appeal 11 months ago, when they issued a reminder of how waste is sorted.
Despite the chance of full waste bags being left abandoned at roadside, Ms Lowe says that this action “is absolutely not about making life difficult for households”.
She continued by stating that it’s a minority of islanders that will be impacted.
“Most people are genuinely trying to do the right thing. Unfortunately including film with other items in kerbside bags is the wrong thing, and causes more harm than good.”
She added: “We appreciate the inconvenience of having your bag left behind. However if you put out the wrong materials for collection and they still get picked up, you naturally assume you have put in the correct items. The only way to break the cycle is if it gets left behind.”
To make matters more difficult, some thin film packaging on everyday items suggest they can be recycled, which the States says adds to the confusion.
Ms Lowe explained that while the material is technically recyclable, “the processing capacity in the UK simply does not exist to deal with all this packaging.”
The key message for now is that “we cannot recycle thin film plastic, so please leave it out.”
The advice to avoid bags being left behind
According to the States:
- All plastic containers should be clean and free of food residue before being placed in recycling bags.
- Thin film plastics, such as crisp packets, carrier bags, pet food pouches, and biscuit wrappers—are not included in blue kerbside recycling bags. These items should be placed in the general waste.
- That doesn’t count for “rigid” plastic items, things like toys and washing-up bowls, are also not accepted in kerbside bags.
- They make a specific mention of Pringles tubes, with instructions on how to break them down ready for an acceptable collection – the cardboard tube should go in the clear bag, and if it has a metal bottom, this can be separated with a can opener and placed in the blue bag.
- Empty aerosols can go in the blue bag, Ice cream tubs need to go in general waste, because the States say they are often made from mixed materials and should be placed in general waste.
- Used kitchen roll and tissues are not recyclable and should go in general waste, whilst Vapes should never be placed in bins due to fire hazard risks, and must be dropped off at the Household Waste & Recycling Centre.
