We’re not going to water down the truth this week – liquids are a huge contaminate for otherwise good recycling and cause a whole wave of issues when they arrive in kerbside collection.
Whilst it’s great that so many people recycle their empty bottles and containers, it’s less great when the bottles still contain liquid. This ranges from residue at the bottom of the container, or in the case of last week, a half full bottle of Diet Coke!
As well as fizzy drinks, it’s common for our staff to find milk cartons, waste oil containers, paint and even petrol cans still containing liquid going through the system. Then there’s the more hazardous items, such as medical bags still containing suspicious human liquids, as well as the random containers filled with unidentifiable liquids. These are all the more serious as without knowing what the liquids are, it makes it even harder for staff to protect themselves and dispose of them correctly as they could be dangerous.
After being sorted the materials head to the baler where they are crushed and forced into bales. If a bottle with liquid is missed on the conveyor, you can imagine the mess that comes from putting high pressure on a vessel containing liquid. It is not unknown for liquids to cover and break machinery or ruin otherwise good recycling. It can also get on the staff ranging from just being unpleasant (have you ever tried to get the smell of gone off milk off your clothes?) to very dangerous. Nobody wants a re-enactment of the Bellagio Fountains with urine or petrol!
To avoid a liquid leak:
Make sure all your containers are washed and dried before putting them into your green bin
More tricky liquids that can’t go down your sink such as anti-freeze, oil, and chemicals must be disposed of at Chelson Meadow Recycling Centre. To find out more head to our website for a full list of the items that can be recycled
Healthcare waste is not accepted at the Recycling Centres or in kerbside recycling.