TikTok binman Ashley, who posts as The No1 Binman, has warned that a popular food should never go in food waste or recycling bins as it’s not biodegradable and wrappers contain paper-aluminium combinations
08:00, 15 Mar 2026Updated 08:14, 15 Mar 2026
There are many items that shouldn’t be put in the food compost bin or recycling, including a popular food which should always go in with general household waste – but many people get it wrong
A binman has revealed which everyday food product must never go into food waste or recycling bins – and it’s a mistake a number of households are making.
Working as a binman is far from straightforward, given the dawn starts and relentless physical demands placed on staff – whatever the weather conditions.
These vital workers play a crucial role in maintaining our communities are sanitary, orderly and pristine. They gather and process household rubbish, manoeuvring wheelie bins towards large collection lorries where they’re hoisted and discharged.
Within the vehicle, waste is drawn along before being compressed by a compactor mechanism to create capacity for additional loads. Refuse collectors also handle commercial and business waste, with separate collections designated for recyclable materials.
Binman Ashley at work(Image: Jam Press/@theno1.binman)
Ashley, who shares content online as The No1 Binman, works as a refuse collector and publishes numerous videos revealing the reality of the profession, alongside advice about proper waste disposal, reports the Mirror.
He’s accumulated over 160,000 followers on TikTok – and, in a recent video, he addressed a query regarding a widely-used product – chewing gum.
Speaking straight to camera, Ashley explained: “What about chewing gum? Good question. Right, this one, it goes in your general waste, if you’re chewing it, finished with it; it goes in the general waste bin.
“It is not biodegradable – that’s why you do not put it in your food waste or your compost bin. It goes in your general waste because it can’t break down and go into the soil or whatever they make the food waste into.”
He then shifted his focus to chewing gum wrappers, which are frequently misplaced in recycling bins.
The refuse collector clarified: “The wrapper for chewing gum, another good one, which would be, because it’s a combination of paper and aluminium. Because of the combination, it doesn’t go in either the recycling bin. It would have to go in your general waste bin.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Council websites provide clear guidance on which items can be recycled, listing numerous products. For paper goods, there are specific rules: “Paper, magazines, newspapers, junk mail, catalogues, phone directories and wrapping paper which is not plastic or metallic.”
Plastic or metallic wrappers – commonly used in chewing gum packaging – must be disposed of with regular household rubbish. Incorrectly sorted items could jeopardise the collection of your recycling.
The refuse collector further advised: “If you don’t believe me, get on your council website. They normally have an A-Z list on there – have a little search up, it will say on there and it should say, on most council websites, it [chewing gum] will go in your general waste bin.”
Local council websites indeed provide comprehensive information on the correct disposal methods for various items.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.