Recycling your food waste is the easiest resolution to keep

Think you know your recycling? Not everything you hear is true! Some common myths can lead to wasted effort, or worse, contamination that stops good materials being recycled. Here are the facts you need to keep your recycling on track and Somerset’s system running smoothly.

• “Pizza boxes can’t be recycled.” They can if clean and largely grease‑free.
• “Blister packs can go in the bright blue bag.” We can’t accept blister packets (the plastic and foil packaging for pills and tablets needs a specialist recycling service).
• “Black plastic trays can’t be recycled.” They can in Somerset if they’re clean and rigid, pop them in the Bright Blue Bag.
• “You need to remove all labels from bottles” No need, labels are fine. Just rinse and squash plastic bottles, and put caps back on.
• “Broken glass goes in the green box”. Never put broken glass in the recycling, wrap it safely and put it in your rubbish bin to protect crews.
• “Foil is too small to recycle.” Scrunch small pieces together into a ball the size of your fist and pop it in the Bright Blue Bag.
• “Aerosols are dangerous to recycle.” Everyday aerosols are fine if they’re completely empty, do not pierce or crush. No gas canisters should be put in the recycling or in the bin, take to a recycling site.
• “Plastic film lids can stay on trays.” Remove film lids before recycling trays.
• “You can recycle batteries loose in the box” Always put out batteries in a small tied clear bag and place on top of your boxes.
• “Plastic bags and wrappers go in the bright blue bag.” No, plastic bags and wrappers are not accepted in the bright blue bag. If you’re part of the plastics bags and wrappers (Flex Collect) pilot scheme and have been provided with special collection bags you can use those. Otherwise, make use of supermarket collections, if you can.