We all know that we should recycle, but it can be confusing and often seem like too much hassle when we are in a rush.

It is also hard to know what you can and can’t recycle. That’s why we put together this quick and easy guide to help you identify what you can recycle, and why it makes a difference.

Why it is important to recycle? 

Recycling is good for the environment. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions that are used to create new products and conserves natural resources by giving objects an extra life.

By reducing the amount of rubbish that goes into landfills, recycling protects habitats and cuts down on methane produced from rotting waste.

It depends on your local area.

Recycling rules are not the same in every part of the country. Local councils have different bins, and what you can put in each bin varies massively. Some houses also have access to food waste bins, but some do not.

If you’re in doubt about what you can and can’t recycle, visit your local council website, or the Recycle Now website . Just enter your postcode and it will tell you what you can and can’t recycle.

General top tips!

• Yes to CLEAN paper or cardboard

Paper and cardboard are great, but not if it’s stained or has food on it. So, no greasy pizza boxes!

• Check your plastic

When it comes to plastic, milk and fizzy drink bottles, juice cartons, and thick containers are a yes; clingfilm, single-use plastic bags and similar are a big fat no.

• Rinse, rinse, rinse!!

Any plastic, glass or tin needs to be rinsed before you put it in the recycling bin to remove any traces of food. If you don’t wash it, it can’t be recycled and will end up in the landfill, so taking the extra two minutes to rinse makes a real difference.

• If in doubt look for the ♻️ symbol

Almost all packaging in the UK that can be recycled will have this symbol on it! It might be on the bottom, or hidden slightly, so you might have to hunt for it. If it’s not there, best bet is to not recycle.

A lot of supermarket packaging will also say in small print ‘widely recycled’, which means you can probably recycle it or ‘not yet recycled’, which means put it in the normal bin.

Lots of us mess up with recycling, and it’s totally fine! The main thing is, we are trying to make a difference one step at a time.