Getting Simpler Recycling Right

 

The Liverpool City Region generates more than 700,000 tonnes of household waste each year, so recycling the right items can make a real difference to how much waste is thrown away. 

Across the Liverpool City Region, thousands of residents recycle their waste every day. By putting the right items in the right bin, you’re helping valuable materials get another life and supporting a cleaner region for everyone. 

More everyday items can now be recycled 

As of April, there’s now loads more items you can recycle. These include some of those items that you may have questioned previously like tetra packs (your orange juice cartons for example), toothpaste tubes and foil tins (both cleaned). 

Plastics

  • Plastic bottles
  • Plastic pots, tubs and trays
  • Cartons like juice, or milk
  • Toothpaste or cosmetic tubes
 An empty clear plastic tray and a drinks carton
 
An empty metal tin and aerosol spray can Metal

  • Food tins
  • Drinks cans
  • Empty aerosols
  • Clean aluminium foil
  • Metal tubes like tomato purée tubes
Glass

  • Glass bottles
  • Glass jars
  • Glass perfume bottles
 An empty glass bottle and empty glass jar
an empty cardboard box filled with other flattened cardboard boxes and a stack of newspapers Paper and card

  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Paper packaging

These materials are collected because they can be recycled and used again, helping to reduce waste and keep useful materials out of the waste bin.

Getting Recycling Right 

People across the UK are committed to recycling, with almost 89% saying they regularly recycle most accepted materials. To make sure these efforts have the biggest impact, it’s important that the right items go into the recycling bin. 

However, 81% of citizens are putting non-recyclable rubbish in their recycling bins. 

Most recycling problems happen when the wrong item ends up in the recycling bin or when recycling is put into bags.  

Recycling works best when items are clean, dry and loose. This helps more materials get recycled and turned into new products. 

What to do if you’re unsure? 

If you’re hovering over your bins wondering which one to use, don’t worry, we all do it. A quick check before you chuck can stop recyclable items being thrown away and help prevent contamination. 

For trusted recycling advice and find out exactly where your item belongs, click the button below. 

Search for an item  

Common recycling questions from Liverpool City Region residents 

Do I need to wash my recycling? 

Items should be clean and empty before they go in your recycling bin. A quick rinse is usually enough. 

Should I put my recycling in bags? 

No. Recycling should be put in the bin loose so it can be sorted more easily. 

What happens if the wrong items go in the recycling bin? 

Wrong items can contaminate recycling and make it harder to turn materials into new products. Check before you chuck, for recycling advice in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral visit: Local Recycling advice

Does my contribution really make a difference? 

Yes. Liverpool City Region residents currently recycle around 35% of household waste. With more materials now accepted for recycling, there’s an opportunity to recycle even more. By recycling the right items, you’re helping to give those materials a second life rather than seeing them go to waste.  

Do I need to remove labels from bottles and jars? 

No. Labels can stay on most bottles and jars. If you’re unsure about a particular item, you can use the search tool below for instructions on how to recycle your items. 

To learn more download our Guide to Accepted Recycled Materials:Recycle Right Accepted Recycled Materials

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