A binman has warned that one common household item should never go in your recycling bin, as it could lead to contamination and your waste being left behind, so it’s vital you know about it
Katie-Ann Gupwell Content Editor
11:22, 03 Jan 2026Updated 11:27, 03 Jan 2026
Binmen can refuse to take your rubbish (stock image)(Image: Photos by R A Kearton via Getty Images)
There’s nothing more frustrating than having rubbish scattered around outside your home, so it’s crucial you sort and dispose of your waste properly, but a refuse collector has cautioned that your recycling might be “rejected” and abandoned if you mistakenly include a particular everyday item in your bags. What you might not realise is that not every item can be chucked into plastic recycling, despite our assumptions that we can bundle everything together.
A popular binman, going by The No1 Binman on TikTok, has now revealed the single item you must exclude as it can actually contaminate your entire recycling load. He outlined what residents need to understand in a video posted online, and his revelation might catch you off guard.
You’ve probably been recycling something incorrectly for years, and it could land you in trouble. According to expert advice, there are some things you need to know.
In the footage, he revealed: “Crisp packets do not belong in your recycling bin. You’re meant to take them to the supermarket and recycle them there, because it’s a different type of plastic.
“Just like carrier bags, just like film, bubble wrap – all that stuff does not go in your recycling. Take it to the tip, they can sometimes dispose of it there differently, or take it to a supermarket.
“There’s loads of stuff. Polystyrene, plastic, but it doesn’t go in your recycling bin, because it takes up too much room and it costs too much money to recycle because there’s barely any plastic in it. It’s mainly air.
“Please check before you put it in your bin. Normally, it’s like tins and bottles. Easy things to put in the recycling.
“Please check before you do it because you don’t want your bin to be contaminated. Don’t be the person who gets their bin rejected when you want it to be emptied.”
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What many people don’t realise is that crisp packets generally can’t be recycled alongside your standard household recycling waste. This is due to them being manufactured from mixed metallised plastic film, rather than pure foil or plastic, which conventional facilities are unable to separate.
However, there’s no need to panic, as you can recycle them through specialist collection programmes such as TerraCycle or at numerous supermarket drop-off locations for “soft plastics”. At these points, they’re gathered alongside plastic bags so they can be handled appropriately.
Can refuse collectors reject your recycling?
Refuse collectors can, and frequently do, decline to collect people’s waste if it’s contaminated with incorrect items. They may also refuse waste that’s excessively heavy, or if there’s “side waste”, such as additional bags or items placed beside the bin.
This occurs because contamination can spoil entire loads and harm sorting facilities, which can result in bins being left uncollected or marked for correction. This is precisely why it’s crucial that you get it right or you could find yourself stuck with plenty of unwanted rubbish.
A common reason for recycling bins not being collected is the presence of non-recyclable items such as food waste, soft plastics, polystyrene or even greasy pizza boxes. Bins that are overfilled, too heavy, or have their lids open are also often left behind.
If your bin isn’t collected, it’s likely that your council will place a sticker on it indicating why it was left. You’ll then need to remove the incorrect items before the next collection.
It’s advisable to check your local council guidelines to understand the specific rules applicable in your area.