6 Most common recycling questions in the UK, answered

2023 brings with it the 20th anniversary of National Recycle Week, starting on the 16th of October.

Considering this, we’ve analysed the latest data from Answer the Public and Google Keyword Planner to answer the nation’s most asked recycling questions this year…

Recycling helps conserve valuable natural resources, like minerals, metals, and trees. By reusing materials, we reduce the need for extracting and processing new resources, which can be both energy and resource intensive.

Recycling often requires less energy than producing new products from raw materials. For example, recycling aluminium saves around 95 per cent of the energy required to make aluminium from bauxite ore.

Finally, it diverts waste from landfills and incinerators, which helps reduce the environmental impact of these disposal methods. While the production of new materials from raw resources can result in pollution and environmental degradation, recycling can reduce the negative impacts associated with industries like mining and manufacturing.

Many office supply and electronics retail stores, like Staples and Ryman offer ink cartridge recycling programmes. They often have designated collection bins near the entrance of their stores.

Some printer manufacturers, like HP, Canon, and Epson, have their own recycling programmes for their branded ink cartridges too. You can often find information on their websites about how to return their used cartridges.

You can check with your local recycling centre or waste management facility to see if they accept ink cartridges. Some will have specific collection points for electronic waste, including printer cartridges.

Recycling light bulbs, especially fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which contain small amounts of mercury, is important to prevent environmental contamination.

Some major retailers, like Homebase, Tesco, and IKEA, have recycling programmes for CFLs and fluorescent tubes. They often have collection bins near the store entrance. Light bulb manufacturers, like Philips and GE, have take-back programmes for their products. You can usually find information on their websites, which may provide instructions on how to return their used bulbs.

Local hardware stores or home improvement centres may also accept CFLs and fluorescent tubes for recycling. Call or visit their websites for information on their recycling policies.

Of course, check with your local recycling centre as well or household hazardous waste collection facility. Many of these accept CFLs and fluorescent tubes for recycling. They may have specific drop-off locations or collection events though for hazardous waste.

Luckily, many communities have dedicated e-waste recycling centres or collection events. These accept a wide range of electronic devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and televisions. You can contact your local recycling or waste management facility to ask about drop-off locations and hours.

Some electronics manufacturers, like Apple and Dell, have their own recycling programmes. They may provide options for returning their products at the end of their life cycle. The same can be said for mobile phone retailers and service providers, including O2, Three and Tesco Mobile, which offer programmes to recycle old mobile phones and accessories.

Additionally, consider whether some items, like still-functioning computers, can be donated for reuse before recycling.

If you work in an office or corporate environment, ask about your workplace’s electronic recycling initiatives. They may have established programmes for disposing of old office electronics.

Remember, when recycling electronics, it's vital your personal data is removed or securely wiped from the devices, especially if they contain personal information.

Recycling batteries, especially rechargeable and disposable ones, is crucial to prevent environmental contamination and to recover valuable materials.

For rechargeable batteries (NiMH, NiCd, Li-ion, etc) many major retailers and electronics stores, like ScrewFix, offer battery recycling programmes. They typically have collection bins near the store entrance.

Battery manufacturers, like Duracell and Energizer, also have recycling programmes for their own rechargeable batteries.

For household alkaline batteries some local recycling centres accept household alkaline batteries for recycling. You can speak to your local recycling or waste management facility to ask about their policies.

Some organisations and companies offer mail-in programs for recycling alkaline batteries. They provide prepaid shipping labels and instructions for mailing in used batteries.

Always be sure to follow any safety guidelines provided by the recycling programme like taping the terminals of batteries to prevent short-circuiting and fires. You should check with the specific recycling programme for any fees or restrictions on the types and quantities of batteries accepted.

Many supermarkets, and retail chains have collection bins for plastic bags near their store entrances. You can drop off your plastic bags, including shopping bags, produce bags, and dry-cleaning bags, in these bins.

Some recycling centres accept plastic bags as part of their broader recycling programme. But you’ll need to check with your local recycling centre to see if they have a collection point.

Some stores encourage the reuse of plastic bags rather than recycling. They may offer discounts or incentives for bringing your own bags, so consider these options as well to reduce plastic bag consumption.