Myths and Facts

MYTH
My recycling will just end up getting thrown away with general waste

FACT
A material that can be recycled is a valuable resource. Following collection by the contactor it is sorted, bailed and then transported to re-processors, who will use the material to make new products.
If you mix your recycling (in clear bags) and general waste (black bags) in a bin then this WILL all end up as general waste. You can prevent this by presenting the waste separately. Don’t let all your hard work go to waste.

MYTH
I’ve been told that there are no real benefits to recycling

FACT
By recycling you are giving materials made from plastic the best chance to have a new life. This has the added benefit of reducing the need for raw materials to make new plastic products, which in turn saves energy.
It takes 75% less energy to make a plastic bottle using recycled material compared to raw material.

MYTH
Recycling metal uses more energy than extracting the raw material

FACTS
This is untrue – the mining and processing of metal uses huge amounts of energy and resource. Recycling cans for example saves up to 95% of the energy needed to make new cans from raw material and the metal can be recycled again and again without the loss of quality.

MYTH
Paper can only be recycled a few times

FACTS
Actually this one is a FACT. Paper fibres will break down every time they are recycled. However, after five or six times it can still be put to good use in a range of products such as hand towels, egg cartons and insulation. So recycling does extend its life.