Frequently Asked Questions

Use our frequently asked questions to find out more about recycling. If the answer to your question is not listed here, then please contact us.

Why an't I put all types of plastic packaging in my recycling bin?

There are lots of different types of plastic that containers can be made out of.  Plastic packaging is often made from more that one type of plastic mixed together, or mixed together with other chemical contaminants.  This makes it very difficult to sort out plastic packaging to be recycled.

Because of the problems of sorting out different types of plastic, at the moment there is only a market for recycling plastic bottles in the UK.  Reprocessors know what types of plastic bottles are made from, making them easy to separate and recycle.  This means that the only type of plastic you can recycle is a plastic bottle.

Should I remove bottle tops before recycling plastic bottles?

Yes - please remove bottle tops before putting plastic bottles in your recycling bin.

Should I wash out my plastic bottles and cans before I recycle them?

Please rinse out your plastic bottles and food and drinks cans before you recycle them.  Rinse them in used dishwater after washing up, to save water. 

What happens if I put the wrong things in my recycling bin?

Recycling is sorted out at our Materials Recycling Facility.   

It takes electricity and man-power to sort out your recycling.  By putting the wrong things in your bin, we have to waste this time and energy to sort it out.  Once we have spent time and energy sorting waste that cannot be recycled it is then sent to a Landfill site for disposal.  So please ensure that you only put the correct items in your recycling bin.

Does re3 send waste abroad for recycling?

Wherever possible, re3 keeps recycling in the UK for reprocessing.  Unfortunately, it is not always possible and a small amount of material may end up abroad.  For example, there are no recycling plants in the UK that can recycle beverage cartons (tetrapaks).  These therefore have to be sent to Sweden for recycling.  Please download our Annual Environmental Report for more information about where we send material for recycling.

What do I do if I see a full recycling bank?

If you see a full recycling bank, please report it to re3 by calling 0800 9883023.

Why do we need to use an Energy from Waste plant? Can't recycling be increased?

Recycling can and should be increased and the re3 partnership encourage residents to recycle as much as possible.  There will always be some waste that cannot be reused or recycled and with declining capacity in landfill sites we need alternatives.  Energy from Waste also recovers value from waste by turning it into electricity.