Government plans to tell people to put less in their recycling bin under new scheme

The Government plans to crack down on “wishcycling” by asking households to put less in their recycling bins and more in their general waste bins, according to reports.
Kit Sandeman
By Kit Sandeman
Published 30th May 2023, 15:53 GMT

So-called “wishcycling” involves people placing items they erroneously hope can be recycled into their recycling bins.

This causes contamination, which can in turn lead to much larger shipments of waste which could be recycled instead heading to landfill sites, or incinerated.

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Takeaway pizza boxes, which contain to much grease to be able to be recycled, are one of the most common causes of contamination, alongside crisp packets and soft plastics – which can be recycled in more specialist centres.

A 'Don't Recycle' label on a bit of plastic packaging. Ministers are planning a crackdown on waste - by getting people to cut down on what they put in recycling bins. According to the i newspaper, the Government wants to limit the amount of "wishcycling" which sees the recycling process contaminated by items which cannot be processed.A 'Don't Recycle' label on a bit of plastic packaging. Ministers are planning a crackdown on waste - by getting people to cut down on what they put in recycling bins. According to the i newspaper, the Government wants to limit the amount of "wishcycling" which sees the recycling process contaminated by items which cannot be processed.
A 'Don't Recycle' label on a bit of plastic packaging. Ministers are planning a crackdown on waste - by getting people to cut down on what they put in recycling bins. According to the i newspaper, the Government wants to limit the amount of "wishcycling" which sees the recycling process contaminated by items which cannot be processed.

Additionally, the Local Government Association (LGA) has called for clearer advice on compostable and biodegradable plastic, which has increased in popularity but cannot be recycled alongside other plastics.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) started a consultation more than two years ago to simplify the rules.

It is widely expected to require councils to collect paper and cardboard, plastics, metal cans and glass bottles and jars with separate collection – and at least two recycling bins – for food and garden waste separately.

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Now, newspaper The i reports ministers are expected to ask people to be more selective in what they send for recycling.

They are also reportedly set to publish full details of the guidance later this summer, with ministers keen to work with manufacturers on updating the packaging guidelines.

The LGA has called for extra funding to manage the new rules.

A spokesman said: “Every neighbourhood is different and councils need flexibility in how they meet these ambitions in communities. What works for a rural village, for example, will not be the same for a tower block.

“Longer term, we look forward to working with government, packaging producers, the waste industry and communities in reducing waste and safeguarding our environment.”

Related topics:Government

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