In Somerset, we ask you to sort your recycling into different containers – this helps us to obtain quality recyclables that reprocessors want, so materials can be recycled closer to home. But there are some things we can’t accept in your recycling collection, because they are either dangerous to our crews or tricky to get recycled.
There’s also items we sometimes find in the wrong boxes, which can affect our processes. Our system has been designed to make it simple, quick and safe for crews to sort, and also recycle more.
- Cartons – these should go in the green recycling box with glass. Please rinse and flatten.
- Glass – should also be put in the green box, rinse out jars and bottles, and put the lids back on. Please, no broken glass or drinking glasses. (These should be wrapped up carefully and put in your general rubbish bin).
Some items need to be kept separate as they are a fire risk:
- Vapes – put in small, clear tied bag, like a sandwich bag, and leave it on top of one of your recycling boxes (don’t mix with batteries or electricals).
- Electricals – no bigger than a carrier bag (such as kettles or toasters, no TVs, monitors or microwaves). Put in an untied plastic bag. Larger electricals to go to a recycling site or check recycleyourelectricals.org.uk for other options in your area.
- Batteries - put in a clear, tied small plastic bag, like a sandwich bag.
Can’t be recycled at the kerbside:
- Blister packs – like the packets used for medication, are sometimes added to the bright blue bag (mixed with other plastics). These can’t be included as they need to be recycled by a specialist reprocessor. Often, crews aren’t able to see if they have been mixed with other items in the blue bag and are taken in error. Some branches of Superdrug and Boots can accept these for recycling, if you’re not able to take them to a drop-off point, please put empty blister packets in your general rubbish bin. Unwanted or out of date medications should be handed in at a pharmacy.
Take a few moments to check what to put where, and make sure you’re not missing something that you can easily recycle. It all adds up. Head to our website: Recycling collections.