Recyclables in normal rubbish

[Nigello]

What happens to the cans and bottles that are put in with general waste, as is the case with litter bins? Do they get sorted at the recycling centre or just buried or burnt?

[malumbu]

Some will be removed eg using magnets for steel, and I expect also by density. Hopefully not too much goes to land fill or incineration. I expect non-recyclable waste going in with the recyclable is more of an issue, but could be wrong!

[Sue]

malumbu Wrote:

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>

I expect

> non-recyclable waste going in with the recyclable

> is more of an issue, but could be wrong!

It is mostly removed manually at the first stage of sorting at the recycling centre.

Although judging by the air of boredom surrounding the guys doing it when I visited on an open day, I'm not sure how thoroughly.

And that was on a day when "the public" were watching!

[kiera]

The OP is querying what happens to recyclable items which are put in with the general waste instead of into the recycling bins. So the question is - does Veolia go through the general waste to extract recyclable items.

Having visited Southwark's recycling centre I say the answer is "NO".

Veolia staff sort the recycling by hand to try to remove items which shouldn't have been put in with the recycling and the recycling is automatically sorted into different categories, but they do NOT sort the general waste. All the general waste is bagged up, left to dry and then sent for incineration or landfill.

[KidKruger]

wot kiera said.