A viral bin worker has issued a stark warning to households across the UK, stating that one common snack item could lead to their entire recycling bin being left at the roadside.
The TikTok Warning from 'The No1 Binman'
The alert comes from a popular social media figure known as The No1 Binman on TikTok. In a recent post, he highlighted a widespread misunderstanding about what can and cannot be placed in domestic recycling bins. The problematic item in question is the humble crisp packet.
Many residents are unaware that these shiny, flexible packets should not be included with their usual tins, bottles, and cardboard. The binman explained that crisp packets are made from a different type of plastic, similar to carrier bags, bubble wrap, and other plastic film.
Why Crisp Packets Cause Problems
According to the expert, placing these items in your kerbside recycling can lead to contamination, which may result in bin workers rejecting the entire bin. The reasons are both practical and economic.
The material takes up too much space in collection vehicles and is costly to process due to its composition. As the binman pointed out, there is "barely any plastic in it. It's mainly air." This makes the recycling process inefficient for waste management services.
Where to Recycle Crisp Packets Correctly
This does not mean crisp packets cannot be recycled at all. The correct method is to take them to supermarket collection points, which are often found at larger retail stores. Alternatively, some local household waste recycling centres (tips) may accept them for specialised processing.
This advice is particularly pertinent for Birmingham residents who have faced disruptions to their recycling collections, offering an alternative route to ensure the material is dealt with properly.
Avoiding Bin Rejection
The key message from The No1 Binman is for the public to check local guidelines before disposing of items. He urged: "Please check before you put it in your bin. Normally, it's like tins and bottles. Easy things to put in the recycling."
His final warning was clear: "Don't be the person who gets their bin rejected when you want it to be emptied." Ensuring your recycling is free of non-conforming items like crisp packets, polystyrene, and plastic film is crucial for smooth collections and effective waste processing.
