A binman has issued a warning to households who put empty crisp packets in their recycling bins, explaining that the packaging needs to go somewhere else if it is to be recycled. The No1 Binman, who has more than 217,000 TikTok followers and nearly four million likes, says shoppers can use selected supermarket collection points instead.
In a recent video, he was blunt about the mistake he sees people making when clearing away everyday rubbish. He said:”“People put crisp packets in their recycling bin! Don’t do it people!”
The reason is that crisp packets are usually made from flexible, layered packaging that many household recycling collections cannot process alongside bottles, cans and other accepted materials. Recycle Now confirms that crisp packets are not currently accepted in home recycling collections, but some selected retailers collect them with plastic bags and wrapping.
The No1 Binman told viewers: “They can be recycled, but just not in your recycling bin at home.” He explained that shoppers should look for collection points at participating supermarkets, which may be positioned near the entrance or exit depending on the store.
Not every supermarket or branch accepts the same materials, so it is worth checking before making a trip. Recycle Now advises that the types of plastic film accepted can vary by retailer, and packets should be empty and clean before being placed in a collection point.
The warning also applies to other small wrappers that people may assume belong in household recycling. The binman said: “Exactly the same thing goes with crisp packets, and it goes for chocolate bar wrappers.”
Putting the wrong material in a recycling bin can contaminate a load or make sorting more difficult, while individual councils set out what their own collections can accept. The No1 Binman warned that unsuitable items could lead to a bin not being collected, although the consequences depend on the local service and its rules.
If there is no suitable collection point nearby, crisp packets and wrappers should go in the general waste bin rather than being placed in household recycling. Residents can use the Recycle Now recycling locator to look for participating drop-off points and should check their council’s guidance if they are unsure what goes in each bin.