Our group from the Heatons filled a minibus and took off to hear about how our rubbish is recycled and what happens to whatever cannot be recycled. It was a great trip and we were buzzing with what we learnt! We want to share what surprised us – things that might surprise you too!
- Stockport is doing pretty well in how much we recycle. We recycle 59% of our waste: that’s top in Greater Manchester and 7th in the country. We should be proud but still aim to do better! You can find more details here.
- If we sort our waste into the right bin we get useful recycled raw material, electricity, and landfills are almost always avoided
- Some stuff gets put in the wrong bin, and occasionally that can jam the big expensive sorting machines
- Mixed recycling and paper recycling make a profit, even taking account of the expensive sorting machine
- Juice and other cartons can go into the paper and card recycling (blue) bin and are sorted and made into new things
- Lids – little things fall through the sorting system, so, if attached to plastic bottles, leave lids on, but put unattached lids in the general waste (black bin for those in Stockport).
- Scrunch up small bits of foil (like the tops of glass milk bottles) to make a larger ball so it doesn’t fall through
- Only glass bottles and jars can be recycled – not other glass
- Check out the Recycle for Great Manchester website for more information about how and what to recycle and open days at the centres.