A refuse collector, known as The No1 Binman on TikTok, has urged people to stop putting takeaway boxes 'in the wrong bin'. He explained that although pizza boxes are made of cardboard, they cannot be recycled if they are greasy. He also urged those partial to a burger or kebab to put their rubbish 'straight in their general waste bin'.
Takeaway Boxes and Recycling
In a recent video, he said: 'Takeaway boxes, they do not go in your recycling bin. I don't know any council that would take them. If your council does, let me know.' He added: 'Pizza boxes - yes, they are made of cardboard, but when they've got grease on them, they are no longer recyclable. Do not put them in your paper recycling bin. Some councils might be different and allow you to put them in your compost bin, but check with your council.'
Burger and Kebab Packaging
He continued: 'Same with McDonald's, or any burger place like that, they do not go in your paper bin either. They're going to be dirty from the burger and the grease and all that, they go straight in your general waste bin.' He noted that a clean paper bag can be recycled, but if it's dirty from a dropped chip, it must go in general waste. 'Same for kebabs, the polystyrene thing does not go in either way, do not put it in your recycling bin, thank you.'
Public Reactions
One reply read: 'My dustmen take them.' A second said: 'I always put takeaway boxes and have had no worries.' A third said: 'I always thought the pizza boxes with a little grease was ok.. would never leave food In it but the grease mark..' Another wrote: 'I used to separate the greasy stuff until the lads refused to take my bin away due to takeaway rubbish, it was only the big KFC bag that was empty with no grease. Since then all takeaway rubbish gets binned.'
Local Council Guidance
Locally, Birmingham City Council states pizza boxes 'that have food or grease on' should not be put in the recycling bin. City of Wolverhampton Council said residents should avoid putting pizza boxes in the recycling bin as they are 'too contaminated by food residue'. Walsall Council urges people to avoid putting 'take away pizza boxes and fast food wrappings' in recycling, while Sandwell Council asks residents to put 'heavily soiled or greasy packaging (for example pizza boxes or chip papers)' in the general waste bin.
