When it comes to waste and recycling, knowing exactly what can be thrown away can be a confusing task. From inconsistent local authority regulations to unclear labelling, even those with the best of intentions often end up causing cross-contamination or missed recycling opportunities.
With the introduction of the Simpler Recycling scheme across the UK, it has never been more essential for schools, homeowners, councils, and businesses to ensure they are meeting critical recycling regulations while also achieving personal sustainability goals and reducing waste that ends up in landfills. With that being said, recycling, whether at scale or in small quantities, requires correct knowledge, the proper bins and a clear, concise system that people can easily follow.
In this guide, we’ll break down the materials that can be recycled, identify common pitfalls, and provide guidance on making your recycling system as effective as possible.
The Recycling Basics
First things first, let's take a look at some of the most commonly recycled materials. Often, local authority guidance will begin with items such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, cans, and glass. As a general rule, all of these will be widely accepted in kerbside collections and, for the most part, presumed safe to recycle.
But here’s the catch: just because an item can be recycled doesn’t mean it will be — especially if it's placed in the wrong bin, or if it’s contaminated.
With the best of intentions and a strong commitment to recycling, contamination is a surefire way to compromise the entire contents of a bin. Many local authorities will reject full loads if contamination is detected, resulting in wasted time, money, and credibility for the site's management. Think residual yoghurt in pots, bottles with liquids remaining, and greasy food containers.
Not to mention the plastic confusion! While plastic bottles (typically PET or HDPE, types 1 and 2) are widely recycled at the kerbside, many other plastics, such as black trays, wrappers, or films, can’t be. Moreover, they often end up in the way of sorting machinery, causing jams and obstructions.
That’s not all! Paper and card come with their own set of issues. Soiled paper, such as food wrappers or used tissues, should go in the general waste, along with wet cardboard. Yet, these often end up in paper recycling bins through no fault of the user's own, as without clear signage, it can quickly become confusing.
Beyond the Basics – What’s Recyclable in Commercial and Public Settings
When it comes to domestic waste, recycling tends to be limited by what your local council will collect from the kerbside. However, workplaces, schools, councils, and healthcare settings aren’t bound by the same infrastructure, which often means they can recycle more if the correct systems are implemented.
In 2023, a DEFRA report found that over 40% of recyclable commercial waste still ends up in general waste, primarily due to inadequate separation.
Here's a breakdown of what many organisations believe isn’t recyclable.
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Batteries and Electronic Waste (WEEE)
Keyboards, phones, chargers, and other small electronic devices fall under the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations, along with all batteries. These must be disposed of via dedicated recycling systems — not general waste — and are legally required to be handled responsibly.
Solution: Provide battery collection tubes and small WEEE bins in staffrooms or receptions to increase capture rates. Batteries can be hazardous in a landfill as they easily ignite if crushed.
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Bulbs and Fluorescent Tubes
Often found in schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings, these fluorescent lights require specialised disposal due to the presence of mercury or phosphor coatings that can cause environmental damage.
Solution: Store spent bulbs in a protective container, such as a tube, until they are collected for proper disposal.
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Ink Cartridges
Many manufacturers offer recycling schemes for ink cartridges, such as cash-back incentives or donations to charities, and third-party recyclers collect them in bulk. Yet cartridges still often end up in landfills as users have no idea how to recycle them.
Solution: Set up central collection points in administrative areas, ideally next to the printer.
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Food Waste
Catering sites and schools generate significant amounts of food waste, which, if properly separated, can be collected for composting or anaerobic digestion. As of March 2025, it is a legal requirement for companies with over 10 employees to use designated food waste bins to separate from other types of waste.
Solution: Use clearly labelled food waste caddies in kitchens and dining areas, and regularly employ a reliable food waste collection service.
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PPE
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many organisations can now recycle single-use PPE through specialist providers; however, most staff are unaware of this option. Ensure you educate your staff on the benefits of recycling these single-use items.
Solution: Use colour-coded bins and signage to separate used PPE safely.
What still can’t go in the recycling bin
Despite the best intentions and investments from local councils, there are still materials that cannot be accommodated within the scope of mainstream recycling, typically because they are hazardous or uneconomical to collect and process.
Contaminating your recycling with these items not only breaches regulations but can also cause harm to handlers and equipment in recycling facilities. However, worry not; we’re here to outline some simple solutions to prevent this from happening.
Black Plastic
Problem: Sorting systems use optical scanners to identify materials. Black plastic absorbs light, making it “invisible” to these systems.
Solution: Where possible and for the most environmental impact, phase it out. Otherwise, dispose of via general waste or use segregated bins for specialist collection.
Soft Plastics
Problem: Lightweight films jam sorting machines.
Solution: Many supermarkets now offer recycling services for soft plastics. If you have a big company, consider specialist collections or circular economy schemes.
Polystyrene and Styrofoam
Problem: Often contaminated with food, liquids or other waste.
Solution: There isn’t always an environmental solution to the materials we choose to use in our lives. Avoid buying where possible; otherwise, compact to the best of your ability and send to the landfill.
Disposable Coffee Cups (even paper)
Problem: Often, these cups are lined with polyethene, which most recycling plants can’t separate from the paper covering.
Solution: Encourage the use of reusable cups by offering incentives to those who bring them, such as discounts on hot drinks. Otherwise, arrange for specialist coffee cup collection.
Sanitary Waste and Nappies
Problem: Hazardous or biological. It cannot legally be recycled with other waste streams.
Solution: Use dedicated sanitary bins, often provided under service contracts with licensed carriers that collect regularly. Never put this waste in with standard waste.
If in doubt, it’s better to dispose of borderline items in general waste bins than to risk contaminating a clean recycling stream.
Labelling and Colour Coding: Recycling Made Easy
When misused, even the best thought-out systems will fail. Usually, this results from poor labelling and unclear instructions.
Recycling in public or commercial spaces requires more than just having the correct indoor and outdoor recycling bins; it also necessitates proper education and awareness. Ensure you invest in clarity, consistency and convenience to help your team make the right choices.
Here’s how to create a setup that consistently works:
1. Use WRAP Colour Coding Consistently
Stick to the UK standard colour codes wherever possible:
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Blue for paper & card
- Green for glass
- Red for plastics & cans
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Brown for food waste
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Black or grey for general waste
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Purple or yellow for clinical or hazardous waste
Consistency builds confidence, especially in large or multi-site organisations.
2. Add Visuals
Use barriers and signage to reduce language barriers and confusion.
Keep labels above eye level, not just on bin lids — they’re easier to see and more likely to be read.
3. Make Recycling Bins Easy to Find
Layout matters. Position recycling bins:
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Next to the general waste bins.
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In high-footfall zones (canteens, corridors, receptions)
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In groups, not scattered individually.
Explore our range of WRAP-compliant bins, custom signage options, and multi-bin recycling stations to build a system that supports your sustainability goals — and works for your users.
When it comes to recycling, real progress comes from making recycling easy to understand, simple to use, and fit for purpose.
At Kingfisher Direct, we work across the UK to supply bins, signage and systems that make better recycling a reality. Whether you're starting from scratch or fine-tuning an existing setup, we’re here to help you get it right. Contact us for any assistance; we’re glad to help.
