Your Waste and recycling explained
What happens to your recycling?
Staffordshire provides lots of ways for you to recycle, if you are unsure if it can be recycled, please check first. It is important not to mix non-recyclable waste in the recycling collections as this can contaminate the load and could lead the whole load being rejected from the recycling facility.
Items you can’t recycle and where to take them
Some items unfortunately can’t be recycled in our bins at home these include:
- Wood
- Textiles, clothing and shoes
- Garden waste
- Toys
These items can be taken to your nearest recycling centre, or you could compost your home garden waste.
Recycling centresHome composting
- Nappies and sanitary items
- Polystyrene
- Bubble wrap
- Waxed cartons including Tetra Pak (soup, juice and milk cartons)
- Plastic carrier bags
- Black plastic trays
- Plant pots, pet waste
- Crisp bags
- Sweet wrappers
- Food wrapping
These items can be put in your general waste bin at home.
What happens to my general waste?
In Staffordshire, most of the waste which is not re-used or recycled is sent to one of our two Energy Recovery Facilities, where it is used as a fuel to generate electricity.
Whilst these plants are a much better option than landfill, it is more important to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible to keep valuable resources in circulation for longer.