Wiltshire Council has launched a campaign to educate the public about the appropriate disposal of materials after incorrect items, including nappies, have been found in blue-lidded bins.

The council’s campaign, called ‘Recycling – let’s sort it!’ aims to improve recycling rates and reduce contamination of recyclable items by unrecyclable items being placed in blue-lidded bins, after a recent explosion at a waste facility caused by a partially full aerosol can that had been placed in the recycling bin.

Wiltshire Council’s notice specifically mentioned issues with the placement of plastic carrier bags in blue-lidded bins, as they can get wrapped around conveyor belts at sorting facilities and damage equipment.

The council advised that nappies, plastic carrier bags and bin bags should be placed in general waste bins for energy recovery.

Other common items that the council said have been found in blue-lidded bins include:

  • Hard plastics, such as toys and plant pots. These can be taken to a household recycling centre for recycling, or put in the general waste bin for energy recovery.
  • Scrap metals – These can be taken to a household recycling centre for recycling.

Waste crews will be stepping up their visual checks of recycling bins from Monday, February 13 and will advise residents if their bins cannot be emptied due to the wrong items being place in the recycling bin.

From Monday February 20, they will attach an amber hanger to any contaminated bins they come across.

This hanger will advise people that their blue-lidded bin had the wrong items in it, but it will still be emptied on that collection.

From Monday March 6, crews will begin rejecting more heavily contaminated bins and will attach a red hanger that explains why the bin has not been emptied.

In these cases, residents will need to remove the contamination ready for their next scheduled collection.

Councillor Nick Holder, cabinet member for Waste, said: “It’s really important that people put the right things into their blue-lidded recycling bins, or it may not be recycled.

"We know that people are keen to do their bit, but some of what is put in blue-lidded bins cannot be recycled and these items are then contaminating items that could have been recycled.

“We really need people to check what they chuck, as this helps to protect the environment, which is a key aim of our Business Plan, and increased recycling also helps to generate income for the council, which we can invest into vital services.”