A binman has urged caution when it comes to getting rid of one popular food item, explaining it should never be put in the food compost or recycling bin at any time
Jess Flaherty Senior News Reporter
15:00, 11 Mar 2026
The binman has urged caution regarding a popular food item that always ends up in the wrong bin (stock image)(Image: Monty Rakusen via Getty Images)
A binman has revealed which everyday food product should never go in the food waste or recycling bin – and it’s something many households may be guilty of disposing of incorrectly.
Working as a binman isn’t for the faint hearted, with early morning starts and relentless physical demands placed on staff, come rain or shine, all year round.
These key workers ensure our communities are kept hygienic, tidy and clean. They gather and process household rubbish, pulling wheelie bins towards large lorries where they can be hoisted on and tipped out.
Once loaded into the vehicle, the waste is dragged forward before being compressed by a compactor blade to create room for further waste. Refuse collectors also handle commercial and business waste, with additional rounds dedicated to recycling.
Ashley, who shares content online as The No1 Binman, currently works as a refuse collector and regularly uploads videos offering insight into the realities of the role, alongside advice on proper waste disposal.
He’s built up a following of more than 160,000 on TikTok – and, in a recent video, he addressed a query about a widely-used item – chewing gum.
Speaking directly to the 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.”
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He then addressed chewing gum wrappers, which many people mistakenly put in the recycling bin.
The refuse collector explained: “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.”
Council websites highlight which items can be recycled and provide extensive lists of acceptable products. For paper items, there are specific guidelines: “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 general household waste. Placing incorrect items in your recycling bin could result in your waste not being collected.
The binman continued: “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 provide comprehensive guidance on proper bin usage for different types of waste.