Residents across the Midlands are being urged to think twice before tossing festive waste into their recycling bins this Christmas, as contamination levels are expected to surge.
The Festive Contamination Crisis
Sherbourne Recycling, a state-of-the-art facility in Coventry that processes waste for over 1.5 million residents in areas including Solihull, reports a significant spike in problematic items during the holiday period. The plant is bracing for thousands of extra tonnes of recycling, but much of it is spoiled by non-recyclable and dangerous materials.
Common culprits include food waste, nappies, batteries, and even Christmas trees. However, the items topping the facility's 'naughty list' are fairy lights and disposable vapes. These objects cause severe operational issues and pose serious safety risks.
Real Dangers and Costly Disruptions
Anthony Hornsby, partnerships and communications manager at Sherbourne Recycling, highlighted the tangible consequences of incorrect disposal. Last Christmas, a vape discarded in a recycling bin sparked a fire on site, causing four days of operational issues.
In a separate incident, the entire facility had to be shut down for hours because fairy lights became entangled in the sophisticated sorting machinery, creating major blockages. While the plant uses advanced AI and robotics, these technologies cannot safely handle such hazardous contaminants.
How to Recycle Right This Festive Season
To prevent similar disruptions and maximise the value of recycled materials, households are strongly encouraged to visit their local council's website. These sites provide essential, location-specific guidance on what can and cannot be placed in kerbside collections.
Key actions for residents include:
- Checking council rules for wrapping paper, cards, and festive packaging.
- Ensuring fairy lights, wires, and electronic items are disposed of at designated electrical recycling points.
- Taking used vapes and batteries to appropriate drop-off locations, never placing them in any household bin.
"By visiting your local council website, it's easy to find and follow best practice recycling guidance," Hornsby emphasised. This simple step is key to minimising contamination and maximising the value for your Council from material sent for recycling.
