Putting the recycling out, along with the general waste, is a chore, isn’t it? And in the winter, the likelihood of rain, sleet or snow lashing down as you do battle with the bins makes it even more so. If you live in a communal building, or large office or warehouse block, it’s doubly dispiriting.

It’s also not very effective. Newly released data* reveal the negative trends of winter recycling: a 40% increase in contamination, which leads to 5,000 tonnes more recyclable waste being sent to landfill between November and March each year.

The main culprit? Plastic bottles and other plastic items disposed of in the same recycling bins as paper and cardboard, which, when sodden, sticks to and encases the plastic, causing huge problems at recycling plants. This results in whole shipments being rejected and being buried in the ground. Plastic takes up to 450 years to break down in landfill and, in the process, leaches microplastics that are harmful for soil, for animals, for humans and for the environment.

So, here’s the bottom line. It’s not that people put out less for recycling in winter, it’s that what they put out is mixed, goes into the wrong container or bin, or gets a soaking, which makes whole swathes of a recycling collection unusable. What a waste!

What’s needed to change this?

Knowledge, mostly. High percentages of people in the UK, and particularly in Scotland and Wales, do recycle most things. It’s normal these days. But knowing that contamination is a significant problem – up to 82%** of citizens admit to putting non-recyclable items in recycling bins or to mixing cardboard and plastic – means that we can stop it happening.  

How does Restore Datashred help?

Take a look at our Dry Mixed Recycling service, it’s a great NEW way to deal with your recyclable workplace waste on an easy, regular collections schedule that means no more overflowing bins, no more contamination, no having to put the bins out in winter and no more recyclables going to landfill. 

And, because we already operate our 0% to landfill confidential shredding services, we can also schedule in collections to pick up your dry mixed recyclables, either at the same time or separately. As you wish.

Clean keeps us lean and an effective recycling machine!

Find out more about this dry mixed recycling service by clicking through the link, or by speaking directly to one of our dedicated dry mixed recycling customer services team on 0333 060 8936. Come rain, sleet or snow, let’s recycle!

*Packaging and recycling business, D S Smith 

**WRAP: 2024 recycling survey