…Or is it?

When was the last time you came across a piece of disposable plastic? If it wasn’t within the last ten minutes, I can bet it was within the last 24 hours. The point is, we use it all the time. It might even be fair to say that we rely on it. Plastic really is a miracle material, but it can also be very harmful to us and the environment when it’s not recycled or disposed of responsibly.  You may have heard of the damage plastic does to our oceans, to wildlife, and even to ourselves. The least we can do is to recycle it, right? The best thing we can do is to reduce the amount of plastic we use. Working together, we can make sure we are doing our best to help protect each other and the environment.

When was the last time you came across a piece of disposable plastic? If it wasn’t within 

Why recycle plastic?

The difference between throwing that yoghurt pot in the bin or in your recycling box is massive. Your actions count. When it goes in the bin, it gets burnt at an energy from waste facility in Plymouth. This is not the best option environmentally.  When it’s recycled, Torbay Council sends it to a plant in Manchester where it’s made into new products. In fact, Torbay Council promises that over 99% of all the stuff you put in your recycling boxes will be made into new materials here in the UK.

Plastics that aren’t recycled or disposed of responsibly can get into the oceans and kill ocean life through micro plastic pollution. When it’s left on the land, it can get into groundwater which we then drink, affecting the functioning of our brains. Therefore, recycling’s a no-brainer. Did you know that in Torbay around 12 tonnes of plastics a week are thrown into black bins that could have been recycled? This needs to change.

Sometimes I put all my recycling out but only some of it is collected?

We know it’s frustrating when you do your best and there’s still stuff left in the recycling box. But there are in fact seven different types of plastics, all used for different things. In Torbay, we can recycle 4 of these different types of plastic. Unfortunately, no ones worked out how to recycle all of these different plastics on a large scale but we’re doing our best to recycle as much of your plastic as possible. Yoghurt pots, fruit containers and microwave meal trays? Please recycle them!  The polystyrene burger box, the chocolate bar wrapping or that plastic bag? They go in your black bin.

Here’s my list of the things we take:

• Soft drink bottles/water bottles
• Food packaging such as fruit punnets and meat trays
• Milk bottles
• Margarine tubs/ice cream tubs
• Microwave meal trays
• Shampoo/shower gel bottles
• Cleaning detergents bottles
• Yoghurt pots

When it comes to non-recyclable plastic, I like to think that if you can scrunch it into a ball, you can’t recycle it. Things like crisp packets, chocolate wrappings, plastic film, bubble wrap and plastic bags are all ‘scrunchable’ and can’t yet be recycled. We also can’t take polystyrene. Please put the clear sleeve that’s on the top of fruit packaging, meat trays etc in the bin.

What can I do to help?

Thanks for asking! Firstly, please recycle plastic in box one, along with tins, cans, paper and foil. We’ll also take your mixed textiles, clothes, batteries and aerosols in this box. Secondly, please spread the word! I bet you can’t believe that every week in Torbay, 12 tonnes of recyclable plastics are being thrown into black bins! Therefore, we need your help. A recycling champion helps to educate their neighbours on recycling and to make sure the recycling on their street is well presented and ready to be collected. If you would like to become a recycling champion, please email recycling@swisco.co.uk.  

If you require new recycling boxes, a new food waste bin or caddy, new recycling nets or stickers, please visit the new and replacement bin page or contact 01803 701316 or recycling@swisco.co.uk.         

Rob - Recycling Support Coordinator