What contamination is
Contamination happens when items are put in the wrong recycling bin. For example, non-recyclable materials, dirty items or items containing food or liquids.
How to prevent contamination
When bins become contaminated, it can result in recyclable items being sent to landfill. To help prevent this and to ensure we can recycle and reuse where possible, it’s important to put the right items in the right bin.
If you’re not sure what goes where, check what goes in your bins or rubbish sacks.
Batteries and vapes
Batteries and vapes should not be put in household bins. Instead, you can recycle them at your local household waste recycling centre where we have dedicated bins for them.
These items can cause fires or explosions in our waste vehicles or at household waste recycling centres when put in the wrong bin. This endangers collection crews and waste staff.
Find out what you can take to your local household waste recycling centre.
What happens to your waste
Non-recyclable waste – grey bin or black sack
After we collect grey bins or black sacks, the waste is put into larger containers at the facility in Linwood before being shredded at Bargeddie Materials Recovery Facility. We remove any recyclable items, which are then sent to contractors for recycling.
Non-recyclable waste is transported to the Energy Recovery Facility in Dunbar. Here it is incinerated to generate heat, which fuels local energy networks.
Recyclable waste – blue bin or blue sack, green bin or green sack
After we collect recycling, the waste is put into large containers at local facilities in Inchinnan and Paisley. It’s then taken to a recycling plant where contaminated or incorrect items are removed. This job is done by hand while the waste is on a conveyor belt.
Once incorrect items have been removed, the waste is then sorted by type. All recycled waste is then sent to the reprocessors where recycled materials are broken down and made into new items.
Recyclable waste – brown bin
After we collect food and garden waste, it’s put into large containers at the local facility in Linwood. The waste is then taken to a composting facility where incorrect or contaminated items are removed. This is done by hand at picking stations.
The waste is then shredded before it’s loaded into a container where heat and bacteria break it down. The thick compost is then stored and turned before being shredded again.