Waste processing has been a growing focus in recent years, with increased attention on its impact on the environment. As a positive side-effect, more people are turning to recycling to try and slow its impact. However, this is uncovering an even bigger immediate problem; many people simply don’t know how to recycle properly. There are lots of items which don’t fit neatly into the existing categories of paper, cardboard and glass, such as greaseproof paper and plastic food trays.
Sustainability is a major concern of ours here at Skip Hire Network, and we recycle as much as we humanly can every time you hire a skip from us. A study from Beyond the Box has offered greater insight into why so many people struggle with recycling—and the results say we’ve still got a long way to go! Read on to learn more about recycling in the UK, including what can and cannot be recycled.
Key statistics from the study
Beyond the Box—a campaign established to raise awareness of the environmental benefits of cardboard packaging—conducted a recycling survey involving 2000 British adults. They found that over 50% of people were so confused about how to recycle properly that they admitted to regularly throwing materials in for landfill, rather than the designated recycling boxes.
Amongst the other findings:
- 86% of adults think they’re good at recycling. However –
- 53% think it’s easier to throw something in the bin rather than work out whether it could have been recycled
- 57% have knowingly thrown something in the bin when it could have been recycled
As you can imagine, it’s these last two stats which are especially concerning to many campaigners! When questioned further about why they threw these items away, the responses varied.
- 25% said they didn’t know how to go about recycling it
- 29% said it was too much effort to dispose of it properly
- 20% said it was a product which isn’t widely recycled in their local area
This frustration affects both residents and councils. Many people won’t travel to neighbouring areas to dispose of individual items, especially when it’s unclear whether those items are accepted locally. As a result, materials made from mixed or hybrid packaging are among the most confusing, with crisp packets and cardboard drinks cartons frequently cited as examples.
Compounding the issue, many households want to recycle more but are limited by bin capacity or infrequent collections. When space runs out, people are often forced to choose between storing recycling at home, making additional trips to recycling centres, or placing recyclable items into general waste—even when they know those materials could otherwise be recycled.
Why recycling confusion happens
Poor recycling decisions are often made in moments of uncertainty rather than intention. When people receive conflicting messages from packaging labels, local guidance, and media coverage, confidence drops quickly. Over time, this uncertainty can lead to hesitation or default behaviour, where items are discarded simply to avoid getting it wrong.
What doesn’t help is that recycling in the UK isn’t governed by a single national system. Local councils decide which materials they collect and how they process them, which means recycling rules can vary depending on where you live. An item accepted in one area may be rejected in another.
This variation is a major contributor to public confusion, and highlights why local council guidance remains the most reliable source of up-to-date recycling information.
How to recycle properly
Recycling properly doesn’t require expert knowledge, but it does rely on knowing what can and cannot be recycled, along with a few consistent habits. Making sure items are empty, avoiding wish-cycling, and following local guidance can significantly improve recycling outcomes. When unsure, it’s often better to check than guess.
Small individual actions, repeated consistently, play a major role in reducing waste sent to landfill and improving the efficiency of recycling systems.
What can and cannot be recycled?
One of the biggest sources of recycling confusion is not knowing what can and cannot be recycled in the first place. While materials like paper, cardboard, glass, and metal are widely accepted, many everyday items fall into a grey area—especially when they’re made from mixed materials.
As a rule, items that combine different materials bonded together—such as electronic waste—are more difficult to recycle and are often rejected by standard recycling facilities. This is why it’s common for otherwise recyclable materials to end up in landfill due to contamination or incorrect disposal.
What can’t we recycle at home?
People are often surprised by what can’t be recycled through household collections. Items like plastic film, greasy food packaging, and composite materials are frequently excluded, even though they may look recyclable. If an item can’t be easily separated into a single material, it’s far less likely to be accepted through normal recycling streams.
When in doubt, placing non-recyclable items into recycling bins can do more harm than good. This behaviour is often referred to as wish-cycling—putting items in the recycling bin in the hope they’ll be recycled. Unfortunately, mixed or contaminated items can result in entire loads being rejected, sending both recyclable and non-recyclable materials to landfill.
Can you recycle crisp packets?
Crisp packets are one of the most misunderstood items. Although they look like plastic, most crisp packets are made from multiple layers of plastic and foil bonded together. This makes them unsuitable for standard kerbside recycling in most areas.
Some specialist recycling schemes do exist, but unless your local council specifically accepts them, crisp packets should not be placed in household recycling bins.
Do you have to wash recycling?
Another common question is whether you need to wash items before recycling them. In most cases, recyclables don’t need to be spotless, but they should be empty and free from heavy food residue. Excess grease or liquid can contaminate other materials and reduce the chance of successful recycling.
A quick rinse when convenient is usually enough. Using large amounts of hot water or detergent is unnecessary and can undermine the environmental benefit.
Is there any good news?
It’s true that the study can make for some grim reading from the outset, as it’s clear that a massive number of recyclable items are being sent to landfill. However, Beyond the Box does highlight some positive aspects. At least 59% of Britons think we generate too much waste, and two thirds admit to being worried about packaging. This does suggest an increasing amount of concern from the British public, which hopefully should translate into more meaningful change.
What’s more, the UK’s sustainable packaging of choice, corrugated cardboard, has a recycling rate of over 80%. But that success depends heavily on cardboard being clean and dry. Food residue and moisture can prevent it from being recycled effectively, which is why contamination remains a key reason otherwise recyclable materials are lost to landfill.
What can we do to encourage more change?
It’s a good place to start, but there’s still more we can do! Since residential and commercial waste are two key aspects of our business here at Skip Hire Network, trust us when we say that there’s still action we can all take on an individual level, too. (To start with, it only takes a few seconds to check whether an item can be recycled.)
And of course, consumers can speak volumes through their choice of businesses and services. Plastic straws are one excellent example, as many businesses across the UK have already started to phase them out in favour of more sustainable cardboard options. It’s just one instance of the public demanding change through their consumer choices, and businesses listening. Many are already starting similar initiatives by boycotting foods and meals with excessive plastic packaging, or making their concerns known to the manufacturers and service providers.
Recycling is a core part of how Skip Hire Network operates. Every skip we handle, whether commercial or domestic, is processed with the aim of recycling as much waste as possible using on-site facilities and trained staff. It’s one of the many reasons people choose Skip Hire Network. You can find out more or simply enter your postcode for an instant quote on local skip hire!
