Nearly half of UK adults can’t inform what needs to be recycled
A recent study revealed that 47% find it difficult to distinguish recyclable items from general waste, resulting in countless reusable materials ending up in landfills unnecessarily.
A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that four in 10 are still puzzled about recycling – with nearly half (47%) finding it difficult to distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable items.
The poll uncovered that a whopping 42% of Brits are wracked with “recycling guilt” when they chuck recyclable goods into the bin. To combat this, a hefty 69% reckon clearer info would help us all get better at recycling.
A significant number of Brits mistakenly think that items such as glass jars, tin cans, and plastic takeaway containers should be discarded in the general waste bin, when they can actually be recycled.
Broken glass and aerosol cans often end up in the wrong bin, and the study found that 16% of people don’t know that metal bottle tops can be recycled, while 12% wrongly believe that tins should go in the regular waste bin.
This research comes ahead of the “Simpler Recycling” legislation due to come into effect on 31st March 2025, which will require businesses with 10 or more full-time employees to separate plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, metals, and food waste from general waste or face a penalty.
Roger Wright, waste strategy and packaging manager at Biffa, who commissioned the research, emphasised the need for clear and accessible recycling information to help people make greener choices.
“People care about the environmental impact of their rubbish,” Roger said, “but there is still a lot of confusion about what can and can’t be recycled, and many people are still struggling to get it right.
“Recycling rates across the UK have stagnated and even declined in some areas, so it’s crucial for all of us to help the public understand what’s recyclable and what isn’t.”
Are you able to identify what’s recyclable and what’s not? Take this quiz to find out.
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It isn’t all doom and gloom though – over half of those quizzed are on it with recycling multiple times daily and many say recycling in their workplace has improved in the last couple of years.
Similarly to businesses, the new legislation rolls out to households from 31st March 2026, when all local authorities will be required to provide standardised weekly recycling and food waste collections, simplifying what is collected.
Roger Wright added: “Recycling correctly preserves valuable materials, reduces waste, and supports a healthier planet for future generations.
However he points out, food and liquid left on recyclables can muck up whole batches, leading to them being binned rather than reused stressing that it’s important to bear these in mind when recycling.
“Simple actions, such as rinsing containers and keeping recyclable items out of general waste, can have a significant impact.
“The new legislation is a crucial step toward reducing contamination, encouraging behavioural change, and reviving stagnant recycling rates as we progress toward the UK’s net-zero goal.”
Top tips to recycling properly:
- Polystyrene/Styrofoam – General waste
- Dirty pizza boxes– Recycling and General Waste – any parts of the box covered in cheese or other food should be thrown in general waste, but clean cardboard should always be recycled.
- Plastic bottle lids – Recyclable – only when put back onto the bottle.
- Plastic takeaway containers – Recyclable – ensure you rinse and empty these before putting them into the recycling.
- Aerosol cans – Recyclable – only once completely empty.
- Batteries – Recyclable at specific disposal points – check your local council or many supermarkets offer recycling points for smaller batteries.
- Glass jars – Recyclable – Ensure you rinse and empty these before putting them into the recycling.
