frequently asked questions and answers

Here are some of the questions the recycle-more team have been asked recently. We have displayed the answers to help you learn more about recycling. If you have a question which is not answered here, please email recycle-more@valpak.co.uk

Please click the links for the answer to each question.

What would happen if nobody recycled?

What can be recycled?

Where can I buy things made out of recycled materials?

Where can I take my rubbish to be recycled?

Why isn't plastic recycled in my local area?

Where can I recycle TVs, video recorders and other electrical equipment?

Which bottle bank should I put my blue glass drinks bottles in?

Who do I contact about my kerbside collection?

The bring banks are full/ messy who should I contact?

Do I need to wash my cans/ bottles before recycling them?

Why can I only recycle plastic bottles?

Where can I recycle VHS tapes?

Where can I recycle batteries?

Where can I recycle my Tetra Pak/ juice cartons?

answers

What would happen if nobody recycled?

We recycle to save the world's resources. For example, there is a limit to the amount of oil from which we can make plastic, and aluminium ore to make drinks cans. Resources that run out eventually are called 'finite resources'. By recycling these materials we can save finite resources for the future. By recycling, we also reduce the amount of rubbish which ends up in rubbish tips (also called landfill sites).

What can be recycled?

If no one recycled, we would eventually run out of finite resources and space to bury rubbish. Nearly all the rubbish in your dustbin can be recycled although some materials are easier to recycle than others. Look at the recycle-more bank locator and input your postcode or town to find out what can be recycled near you. If you can't find what you are looking for, contact your local council and ask to speak to the recycling officer.

The recycling tips section of recycle-more also offers great advice on how to correctly dispose and recycle of your everyday items.

Where can I buy things made out of recycled materials?

Buying recycled goods helps support recycling. It is no good just recycling because we think it is good for the environment. We have to use what we have recycled! Lots of shops now sell products that contain recycled materials, for example, bin bags, writing paper, and toilet paper. Look for these next time you go shopping, click here for some examples of recycled products. Find out more and buy recycled products online through www.recycledproducts.org.uk.

Where can I take my rubbish to be recycled?

Look at the recycle-more bank locator and type in your postcode or town to find your nearest recycling site.

If you have any questions or comments regarding your doorstep recycling collection, you should contact your local council for further information. Please click here to find the contact details for your local council.

Why isn't plastic recycled in my local area?

There are over 50 different types of plastics and a wide variety are used everyday. These materials are also usually very light which means that it is not always economically feasible for your local council to offer facilities for plastic recycling. If you are concerned, you can help by buying fewer plastics, for example in processed foods, and reusing carrier bags and plastic bottles where possible. Many supermarkets now offer a carrier bag recycling scheme. Check our bank locator for details of a store near you.

Where can I recycle TVs, video recorders and other electrical equipment?

Most civic amenity sites will take waste electrical items, click on the bank locator for more information. If your item is still working, look in your yellow pages for a charity which may take it and reuse it. Sometimes old computers can be donated to schools or local community groups. Look in the links section for a full list of useful organisations.

Which bottle bank should I put my blue glass drinks bottles in?

Bottle banks are usually separated into 3 colours, brown, green and clear. You can throw your blue bottles in with the green glass and it will all be recycled together. Visit the bank locator to find your nearest recycling site for glass

Who do I contact about my kerbside collection?

If you have any questions or comments regarding your doorstep recycling collection, you should contact your local council for further information. Please click here to find the contact details for your local council.

The bring banks are full/ messy who should I contact?

Please contact your local council with any questions or comments regarding your local bring banks, as they are responsible for them. Please click here to find the contact details for your local council.

Do I need to wash my cans/ bottles before recycling them?

It is a good idea to quickly rinse out your recycling as it will keep your recycling box clean and will deter any nasty smells! It also helps to make the recycling process as efficient as possible.

Use your old dishwater to rinse out your recycling to help conserve water.

Why can I only recycle plastic bottles?

For a detailed answer on why many local authorities only collect plastic bottles please click here

Where can I recycle VHS tapes?

There are very few places in the UK that collect and recycle VHS tapes. However, the companies below should be able to help:

• www.thelaundry.biz You can post your old VHS, tape cassettes, CDs and DVD to this company.
• www.tapesuk.co.uk that will collect VHS tapes from London only (minimum of 100 tapes). You can also post the VHS tapes to their office.

If the VHS tapes you have are in good condition you could offer them to a charity shop or through your local freecycle group - www.freecycle.org. This website is like e-bay but everything is free and was introduced to encourage people to reuse household items

Where can I recycle batteries?

Battery retailers are now providing collection points for used batteries in-store. In addition, some Local Authorities now provide recycling facilities for batteries within their doorstep collections and at Household Waste Recycling Centres. Click onto the bank locator to find details of your nearest batteries recycling site/ retailer collection point.

Where can I recycle my Tetra Pak/ juice cartons?

Tetra Pak supplies the majority of drinks cartons within the UK, items made from Tetra Pak include milk cartons, fruit juices, liquid foods such as pasta sauces and some ice cream cartons, look out for the Tetra Pak label Carton recycling facilities are now available in many parts of the UK, check out the bank locator to find out if you can recycle cartons in your area.

If cartons aren't currently recycled in your area and you would like to recycle them, you can do so by using these address labels. Please note that postage will need to be paid.

Can shredded paper be recycled?

Shredded paper can be recycled, however not all local authorities will collect it. This is because shredded paper can affect the quality of recycled paper and make it weaker, also shredded paper can be difficult to handle causing maintenance problems at paper mills along with the risk of fires.

Contact your local council to find out whether they will accept it in their paper collections. Alternatively, you could compost it!