RESIDENTS in Wyre Forest are being warned their recycle bins will not be emptied if they put unrecyclable items inside.

Wyre Forest District Council’s waste team has recently launched an education campaign aimed at tackling the issue of contaminated recycling bins in the area.

To help combat the problem, the waste team is knocking on doors around the district on collection days to help people with their recycling. They now need help to raise awareness of what can and can’t be recycled.

The waste team has found in many instances the recycling bins are simply being used for normal rubbish waste that should be put in the black bins. This is causing the recycling to be contaminated.

Contaminated recycling loads have to be sent to landfill which costs the council more than £100 per tonne to tip. This, in turn, is costing local tax payers money while also having a negative effect on the environment.

As part of the education campaign, some residents will have noticed a red sticker or a yellow tag on their bin. This indicates that their bin contains unrecyclable items.

Examples of items which cannot be recycled and have been found in green bins include plastic bags, nappies, a toilet seat and dog faeces.

Once residents have removed the items which cannot be recycled from their green bin, the team will empty the bin on the next scheduled collection day.

A detailed list outlining recyclable and non-recyclable items, along with commonly asked questions, can be found at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/recyclingguide.

Councillor Ian Hardiman, cabinet member for operational services, said: “We are tackling the problem of 'contaminated' recycling as it is an increasing issue which incurs unnecessary costs to the council and in turn to council tax payers.

"It is also bad for the environment because contaminated loads have to go to landfill instead of being recycled. We believe that once residents recognise the problem and understand clearly what they can and can't recycle, they will take positive action and the problem will be greatly reduced which will benefit the whole community as well as the environment.

"Our crews are of course doing their rounds across Wyre Forest with 'business as usual' and will only tag a bin if it's 'contaminated' with items that can't be recycled.

“I have been accompanying the waste team during collections, knocking on doors and giving out information.

“So far, this proactive approach has proven to be effective and we hope to continue raising awareness.

"We have publicised this campaign and the benefits of correct recycling through the Shuttle and on our website.

"Residents are encouraged to contact us if they have questions on recycling and a member of the team will be happy to assist."

For more information or help with recycling, email operationalservices@wyreforestdc.gov.uk or call 01562 732528.