Things You Need to Know About Waste Sorting

With the ever-growing world population and continued focus on economic growth comes the problem of increasing waste production, especially in high-income countries. In 2018, households and businesses generated 222.2 tonnes of waste in the UK alone. This means that it's now more important than ever to design and implement better and more sustainable waste management practices with an emphasis on sorting waste to recover, recycle, and reuse valuable materials instead of letting them end up in landfills. But what exactly is waste sorting, and how can it improve global recycling rates?

What Is the Waste Sorting Process?

Waste sorting comes in many shapes and forms, as the process and waste management regulations can vary between locations, stages, and recycling facilities.

Let's start with domestic waste. Nowadays, recycling is required in many parts of the UK, although it's up to local authorities to decide what and how can be recycled and collected from homes in the area. Recyclables are usually collected at the kerbside either already pre-sorted into glass, paper, and plastics (and any other materials specified by the local council) or as part of a single-stream recycling system in which waste sorting is limited to separating recyclable waste from residual waste.

Once collected, municipal and commercial recyclable waste is taken to a recycling centre or materials recovery facility, where waste is sorted once again to remove unwanted or contaminated objects from the waste stream. This can be done by manual or automated sorting. At the end of this process, only items suitable for further processing and recycling remain (waste that cannot be recycled is disposed of differently).

A Short Guide to Different Waste Types

• Recyclable waste: Recyclable materials are used materials that can be processed and reused to manufacture new materials of the same or different kinds. Many of them are currently in circulation, including, for example, plastics, wood, and metals.
• Organic waste: Also known as biodegradable, this type of waste consists mainly of green waste, garden waste, and food waste. The recycling process, in this case, aims to turn such waste into compost (among other things), which can be used as a natural soil fertiliser in gardening and agriculture.
• General waste: All waste generated by households and businesses that cannot be recycled.
• Construction waste: Any waste generated due to construction, renovation, or demolition works. It may contain valuable materials, e.g., metal components or recyclable concrete and asphalt. Proper waste sorting is crucial to prevent contamination of recyclable materials.
• Hazardous waste: This category includes everything that has the potential to harm human health or the environment when not disposed of properly, from electronic devices and batteries to paints, solvents, and asbestos. Medical waste can be classed as hazardous as well.

Why Is Waste Sorting Important?

Waste sorting is a crucial part of sustainable waste management as it can help reduce landfill waste, process recyclables, and reuse recovered materials in the production of new items. By sorting waste materials, it's possible to limit the risk of contaminating recyclables or mixing them with general waste and sending to landfills. As different types of materials require specialised recycling processes, keeping, e.g., metal items separate from cardboard and non-recyclables from the start can streamline the entire process and cut down costs in the long run.

Useful Tips on Sorting Waste

For Businesses

• Make sure you're familiar with any legal requirements you must adhere to as a businessperson when it comes to waste management (such as getting a waste transfer note or other document confirming the safe disposal of your commercial waste).
• Create waste sorting rules for your business that are in line with your local waste collection system.
• Give your employees clear instructions on any changes regarding waste sorting.
• Provide easy-to-use and clearly labelled recycling containers around your business premises.

For Households

• Sort your waste according to local waste disposal and sorting regulations.
• Always check that everything you put in your recycling waste bin is recyclable.
• Remove any remaining product or food residue from containers.
• Use separate recycling containers for different types of materials to stop them from getting mixed up.

Waste Sorting FAQ

How Do You Sort Waste in the UK?

Households in the UK need separate containers for waste types collected in the area. These typically include a black wheelie bin for general waste, a brown bin for glass and plastic (or a separate red bin for plastics and a green one for glass), and a blue bin for paper and cardboard.

However, the exact rules on how to sort recyclable materials in the UK may vary between different parts of the country, so it's always a good idea to check with your local council what goes into which bin to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that your waste is properly sorted.

Should You Wash Recyclable Materials?

While there's no need for your recyclables to be spotless before going into the bin, it's important to make sure that each bottle, container, or packaging is empty and free of any chemical or food residue by giving them a quick rinse. Why?

Leftover food waste can cause unpleasant odours and attract pests to your recycling bin, not to mention that it can contaminate your recyclables (e.g., cardboard or paper waste) and make it impossible to recycle them. You should be especially aware of the risk of contamination if your area uses a single-stream recycling process, which means that all recyclable materials go into the same bins or bags.

How Do You Sort Household Waste Effectively?

Start by learning more about waste management and recycling rules in your area to see what recyclable materials are collected separately from other waste locally. It's also a good idea to get familiar with labels and signs you can find on packaging. Knowing how to recognise different materials can make waste sorting much quicker and effortless. Finally, segregate your rubbish at the moment of its disposal to put everything that can be recycled in the correct bin right away.

But while ensuring proper waste sorting is crucial, you can also generate less waste by selling or donating unwanted items (e.g., furniture, household appliances, books, clothes, etc., that are still in good condition) instead of throwing them out.

What Type of Waste Can Be Recycled?

When asked about recyclables, we automatically think of the most commonly recycled materials, such as plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, and metals. But it's worth keeping in mind that textiles, tyres, wood, and organic waste can be recycled as well if we ensure their proper disposal or composting in the case of food waste. Home appliances and electronic devices often contain plastic and valuable metals. Even construction waste, in many cases, can be repurposed and reused.

Make Sure Your Waste Is Sorted Properly With Recycling Bins!

It's a common belief that making a real difference requires blood, sweat, and tears. But sometimes a great change can start with a simple step, such as replacing your old waste bin with a recycling station tailored to your needs. Using separate containers for plastics, paper, and other recyclables makes waste sorting at home and business effortless. It's also a great way to encourage your family or employees to pay more attention to responsible waste disposal and develop good habits.

In short, if you'd like to improve your waste management practices, start with finding the right bin! At ALDA, we have a wide selection of products in different sizes and finishes to suit any type of space and interior design style. Our metal containers are made of high-quality materials to ensure their long-term durability.