This week’s recycling contaminate is a huge pet hate of ours. HUGE. Come on down, pet waste!
Each week we see all sorts of pet waste included in kerbside collection. It’s not just the filled poop bags (why would anyone think this can be recycled?) but other animal offshoots including straw from hamster cages, discarded cat litter trays (not always empty and very rarely cleaned) and mangled pet toys.
As you can imagine, the inclusion of many of these items into recycling is MESSY. Although our operatives have eyes like a hawk, even they may miss a disguised little green bag of animal waste as it enters the conveyor belt among the jumble of other good recycling. If the offending bag then makes it to be baled it can splatter and cover the items it’s baled up with. This is not only very unpleasant and hazardous for the operatives, but can mean the entire bale can’t be recycled and has to be rejected.
The inclusion of dirty sawdust and hay is also a huge issue as again, it’s very unpleasant, but it also gets EVERYWHERE! Meaning the entire conveyor belt has to be stopped for it to be cleaned off properly, which wastes time and energy.
So what can you do with Fido’s poo? (And Hammy’s, Whisker’s and Moggy’s?)
Bin it – we’re grateful that people are picking up after their pets, however the bagged waste needs to go into a general waste bin, not recycling nor garden waste.
Wash up – items like plastic cat litter trays or hamster cages can be recycled at your local recycling centres, but must be washed and cleaned first. Find your nearest recycling centre
Recycle – Material items, such as pet beds, can also be recycled with textiles at the Chelson Meadow Recycling Centre
Compost – Dirty shavings and hay may be your animal’s waste, but could be your plant’s treasure! Organic waste from ‘vegetarian’ animals can be included in a compost heap. Find out more about composting