Recycling: The real cost of contamination
How much do we really understand about the process of recycling? With attitudes ranging from the obsessive to the ambivalent when it comes to our waste products, it’s time to lift the lid on the cost of contamination.
How is recycling contaminated?
Even if you are passionate about recycling your waste, the alarming lack of transparency around recycling practices means that well-meaning households are inadvertently guilty of contamination. WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) report that in the last year, around 525,000 tonnes of recycling was rejected due to contamination.
Unfortunately, this is not limited to just an unwashed container. It’s true that food residue, grease, and water can render entire batches of cardboard, paper, plastic, and even glass unrecyclable. So where are we going wrong? Here are some of the main issues:
- Containment. Putting your recycling inside a plastic bag.
- Food waste. Grease on cardboard, unrinsed jars, residue in containers. Any recycling with food residue is likely to end up in landfill.
- The ‘wrong’ plastics. Unfortunately, many plastics still aren’t recyclable and including them in your household recycling can contaminate the process.
- Wrong materials. Putting glass in with plastic, or paper with glass, etc.
- Hazardous waste. This can be either non-biological, for example; paint, pesticides, oils, or biological, such as nappies, sanitary products, and syringes.
Impact of recycling contamination on the environment.
Currently, it is estimated that 525, 000 tonnes of recyclable materials are rejected due to contamination every year. This figure is just from household waste alone. That’s over half a million tonnes of recycling going to landfill or an incinerator. With the UK alone generating this much waste, it’s a bleak outlook when considering the whole of the developed world.
The cost of recycling contamination to the council
The LGA (Local Government Association) estimates that contaminated recycling costs councils around £93 per tonne (rates will vary between councils). Using this figure, it’s estimated that the additional cost of contamination is around £48 million per year.
Besides monetary cost, contaminated recycling can put employees at recycling centres at risk and can negate the efforts of other households who are being as diligent as possible about their waste disposal.
Step it up!
The good news is that you can make small yet meaningful changes to reduce the amount of recycling going to landfill. As well as making sure that your recycling is correctly sorted and washed, you can demand better from your local council.
Cuts to council budgets over the last decade seem to have had a profound effect on the process as a whole. Organisations such as the LGA, WRAP and SUEZ have all highlighted the need for clear communications around the quality of recycling. You can email your MP to highlight this issue or raise awareness in your community
It’s also worth noting that WRAP has stressed that ultimately, the biggest change must come from manufacturers themselves. Cllr David Renard, the Environment spokesperson for the LGA, said:
“At a time when councils are working towards achieving net zero, they are doing so with one hand tied behind their back courtesy of manufacturers who are littering our communities with plastic they know cannot be disposed of sustainably.”
It’s time that manufacturers take responsibility for their produce and this will happen by customers voting with their feet. With more and more eco swaps becoming available, larger-scale manufacturers will have to adapt and respond.
How to effectively recycle your Truthpaste Jar
Did you know that one of the worst culprits for contamination is toothpaste tubes? This was part of the inspiration behind us using our cute little jars. Not only are they easy to clean but glass is can be recycled infinitely. Find out more of the benefits of recycling glass.
Always make sure that your glass is cleaned thoroughly if you are putting it in with your glass recycling. The lids and labels can be left on jars when you recycle them, so it really couldn’t be easier to be greener.
Resources
Gate fees report (2019/2020) Comparing the costs of alternative waste treatment options
WRAP [Accessed Sep 2021]
Robyn White (June 2021)https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/wrap-unveils-recycle-week-theme/ [Accessed September 2021]
Oliver Franklin-Wallis (Aug 2019) htps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/plastic-recycling-myth-what-really-happens-your-rubbish, Guardian Online [Accessed Aug 2020]
Laurie Clarke, (Aug 2019) https://www.wired.co.uk/article/recycling-myths-busted, Wired Online/Science, [Accessed September 2021]
WRAP, https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-knowledge/5-top-tips-reduce-contamination, Recyclenow.com [Accessed September 2021]
WRAP, https://www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/plastic-tubes, recyclesnow.com [Accessed August 2021]
Dr Adam Read, external affairs director, SUEZ Recycling & Recovery UK (2018), Quality and the need to manage contamination, letsrecycle.com, [Accessed September 21]
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from 1403 reviewsI really like the taste of this, and the way my mouth feels after using it
This toothpaste is really good. My teeth and mouth feel so clean. I sometimes forget to brush my teeth.
I bought the essentials pack and i love everything in it. This toothpaste has made my sensitive teeth no longer sensitive. I tried all the usual sensitive toothpastes over the years and non everything worked.
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As a toothpaste it works for me.
Thank you.
Love it .. the only downside is the floss was too thick for my teeth I ordered the wrong size I think
Cleans teeth to a smooth fresh feel, with very little paste on the brush. Pots last a long time. Better value than commercial plastic tube toothpastes.
Enjoyed before, excellent product, without the use of chemicals, flouride
Lovely toothbrush with nice firm bristles. Leaves my teeth feeling lovely and clean
I can not recommend these products enough. When I ordered this I wasn't really convinced how much it would help with my bleeding gums.....I have been beyond amazed. After just a couple of days I saw a significant reduction of bleeding gums with just brushing. After a couple of weeks I have zero bleeding when brushing AND I am now able to use the interdental brushes, something I have not been able to do due to bleeding and sore gums. I can now use them with minimal to no bleeding. I am now about to place my next order. Thank you team Truthpaste!
Love the taste and feel of Truthpaste. All sensitivity is gone.
Last year I was diagnosed with gum disease and needed two fillings. My boyfriend saw an ad for Truthpaste and I was wary but he bought me my first pot and so I gave it a go. I noticed a difference in my gums and my dentist today confirmed that my gums are slowly improving, there is less movement in my teeth and she could see that I am doing a great job in keeping my teeth clean. Thank you Truthpaste - I will never go back to regular toothpaste! :)
This toothpaste is honestly the best one I have ever used! I’ve tried so many over the years but this one keeps me feeling fresh and makes my teeth feel so clean. The ingredients are fantastic and natural. 10/10
Absolutely love all of the products and will buy again!
I’m new to using a natural toothpaste. I like the way it makes my teeth feel smooth and clean. I wonder what the dentist will say on my next visit. Will she see a different? I bought all four types to try, so it will take me a long time to get through them all as I don’t use a lot on each brushing.
This was my first experience of toothpaste in a jar.It is a lovely product but I am not sure it’s for me in the long run.Very expensive for one thing.so I may make my own.
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