5 surprising things that CAN be recycled

As we strive to be a more environmentally conscious nation, recycling is becoming increasingly important. Most people know the basics, thanks to the provision of household recycling bins that the council empties on a regular basis. Paper and Cardboard, Cans, bottles and even garden or food waste all of these can be recycled easily. Whilst there are plenty of things that can be recycled there are still many that can’t – but not as much as you’d think. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of 5 surprising things that can, in fact, be recycled

1. Nappies

Whilst it comes as no surprise that reusable (cloth) nappies can be recycled, disposable nappies are a different matter. A UK based company called Knowaste have developed a method of doing just that. Nappies are sanitised before being separated out into the different components, the plastics are recycled into roof shingles and the paper pulps turned into wallpaper. With the average child using approximately 5000 nappies in the first 2 years of their life this could save a lot of landfill.

2. Chewing Gum

It costs councils a staggering 150million each year to clear up chewing gum litter from UK streets but Gumdrop Ltd, a London based company have come up with a way of recycling chewing gum and turning it into compounds that can be used in the rubber and plastics industries, creating anything from wellington boots to mobile phone covers.

3. Used Bras

You would be right in thinking that charity shops won’t take these but they are still recyclable. Smalls for All is a Scottish based charity that collects bras to send to women in the poorest areas of Africa. Gently worn garments are passed on whilst damaged or older bras are taken apart and recycled to raise funds to buy more bras.

4. Compact Disks

Disks in good condition that you just don’t want any more can be donated to charity, given to a friend or even sold. But what about damaged disks? Obviously, they can’t be placed in the plastic recycling bins. These can, however now be recycled via several companies but you will have to mail the cd’s to them. They are shredded down and then melted before being given new life in the automotive or building materials industries.

5. Mattresses

20 million mattresses end up in landfill each year, however that number could see a decrease as an increasing number of private companies have begun to recycle them. This process involves breaking them down into their various materials, bundling them up and sending them to plants that deal specifically with each type of material – where they are given a new lease of life.

Of course, larger amounts of waste can be much more complicated, and if it’s bigger pickups you need we’d be delighted to help – whether by supplying skip hire, grab hire in London, or waste clearance services for your home or business premises. That way, the removal of waste to the right places is all taken care of professionally.