Unfortunately, following a recent study carried out by our refuse collection team, it has shown that 66% (by weight) of the waste in black/green non-recyclable waste bins could have been recycled.

The waste that could have been recycled includes plastics, glass, metals, and food waste. Paper, card, glass, metals and plastics alone make up more than a quarter of the waste in the bin.

However textiles can’t be recycled in domestic bins but can be taken to clothes banks, charity shops and any of the council’s Waste and recycling centres (good quality items can also be reused – the second of the three Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).

So, as part of Recycle Week 2023 campaign from 16-22 October, we are urging everyone to focus on this year’s theme of “missed capture” – the items that can be recycled but are commonly missed by householders.

Kevin Carr, Head of Facilities, Waste and Grounds Services said: “Recycling has become such an important every-day household task that many of us, without realising it, now fail to put everything that we can in our blue, grey or burgundy bins.

“Some of us are still getting confused when it comes to containers and packaging that has contained food. If you give plastics and cans a quick rinse they can go in your grey bin. All clean cardboard or paper can be recycled in your blue bin but if it has been contaminated by food waste (pizza boxes especially) it must go in your general waste bin.

“So, lets all take a look at what we are binning this recycling week and make sure that we are back on track to help reduce our carbon footprint and continue to do our bit to improve the climate we all live in.”

Please take a few minutes to check out what should go in your bins and make a renewed effort to do everything you can to help the council recycle as much as possible.

And this week Zero Waste Scotland also wants to help everyone recycle more effectively by using its digital Recycling Sorter which allows you to search for what items can be recycled, and in what bin.