Hillingdon Council is launching a new campaign to encourage residents to recycle more effectively by double-checking the items they place in clear bags. The campaign urges residents to ‘take two seconds to check your recycling’ and ensure that only recyclable items are included in their clear, dry mixed recycling bags.
Currently, the contamination rate in Hillingdon is at 15 per cent, which is in line with the average rate for London. Contamination occurs when non-recyclable items, such as clothing, are mistakenly placed in the clear bags. This can lead to good recycling being rejected during the sorting process, resulting in the entire load being sent to general waste.
The top five contaminating items found in kerbside collections in Hillingdon are food items, crisp packets, batteries, nappies, sanitary products, and clothing. These items can disrupt the recycling process and impact the overall effectiveness of recycling efforts.
The campaign is being launched in conjunction with Recycle Week, a national awareness campaign aimed at promoting recycling practices across the country. Cllr Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, emphasised the importance of taking the time to ensure that only recyclable items are included in the clear bags. He highlighted that while most residents in Hillingdon already make an effort to recycle, there is always room for improvement.
In addition to reducing contamination, correctly sorting recyclable items is essential to prevent hazardous materials from entering the recycling stream. Items such as Bluetooth headphones, old mobile phones, and electric toothbrushes can pose a fire risk if improperly disposed of with recyclables.
By raising awareness about the importance of proper recycling practices and encouraging residents to be more vigilant about what they include in their clear bags, Hillingdon Council aims to improve recycling rates and reduce contamination levels in the area. Through collective efforts and small actions like double-checking recycling items, residents can make a significant impact on the effectiveness of recycling initiatives in Hillingdon.
