Recycling is a simple, easy idea, at least in theory. But sometimes things fall into the ‘grey’ area where you aren’t too sure if they are recyclable or not. So, here at GreenUpAndGo, we have put together the top 10 most commonly asked questions, along with their answers.

1. How do I know which plastics can be recycled?
Actually, this is a tough one. The three little arrows in a circle which often feature in plastic containers are actually not a guide to recyclability – they actually indicate the amount of plastic resin in the plastic. It is best to check with your recycling facility which numbers it accepts for recycling.

2. Should I clean containers before I send them for recycling?
A little residue is fine, but the cleaner the containers, the better. You don’t have to run them through a dishwasher – a quick rinse and removal of any food substances will suffice.

3. Should labels be taken off cans & jars?
Labels should be burned off during the recycling process so there is no need to remove the labels from your jars and tins.

4. Can I recycle caps and lids?
The recyclability of bottle lips and caps depends on the facilities that your recycling centre has therefore removing them is a good habit to get into. Often, removing caps from bottles is also a safety issue – when recycling, there is a small chance that the bottle will have huge pressures built up inside it, causing it to explode and potentially damage the machinery. Therefore, we advise removing all lids and caps from anything that you recycle.

5. Should I crush cans and bottles?
Again, this depends on the equipment your recycling centre has. Generally, we would say don’t crush cans or plastic bottles, just in case.

Your recycling centre may use a ‘blower’ to separate heavier materials such as glass and steel from lighter materials such as cans and plastic bottles. If the cans are crushed, they will settle down to the level of glass therefore the blower will not work as efficiently as it could.

6. Can plastic bags be put in with plastic containers?
Generally speaking, it is not a good idea to mix plastic bags with plastic containers however many recycling centres and/or supermarkets have places where you can drop of your excess plastic bags so the next time you pop to the shops, remember to take your plastic bags with you.

7. Can Aluminium Foil be recycled?
Not all recycling programs will accept foil as it tends to contain a lot of fat and/or food contamination. Technically speaking, foil can be recycled with cans easily. Ask your recycling centre whether they accept foil or not. If they do, make sure you clean it thoroughly.

8. Can you recycle recycled products?
Over time, recycling paper and plastic repeatedly will degrade the quality. However, that does not mean you cannot recycle recycled products. Many recycled products have both recycled and new content in them to increase their quality, therefore it is almost impossible for the consumer to know how recyclable a product is.

If you are worried about recycling paper, consider composting it instead. Read our guide to composting here.

9. Can I recycle plastic that doesn’t have a recycle logo on it?
Maybe. The recycling symbol is actually unregulated and there is no obligation for manufacturers to place a recycling symbol on products that are recyclable. It is best to ask your local recycling company as to what plastics they accept and whether they are happy to accept plastics you are unsure about.

10. What about recycling other products?
There are plenty of recycling schemes for other products such as computers, cooking oil, books, light bulbs and batteries. Some can be dropped off at a recycling centre, some can be picked up. Check with your local recycling centre as they will often be able to provide you with information on how to recycle your other products.

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