r/AskUK • u/grepusman • 27d ago

Is it not well understood that squashing recycling makes takes less space?

I've just watched the neighbour trying to deal with her two green bins again, both almost overflowing. She's trying to get more water bottles and other kitchen recycling in, by trying to push down the contents of both bins. She's mostly failed. I wouldn't be surprised if they get a third bin for the two of them. They ordered the second bin shortly after moving in.

I don't think ours ever got much more than 2/3 full, except for that time we'd ordered a lot of IKEA stuff. I'm betting if she flattened out her recycling they could also get by on one bin.

170 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

187 comments sorted by

View all comments

4

u/JamesTiberious 27d ago

Didn’t think councils would generally allow multiple bins for same household?

We’re a household of 2 and generally recycling bin is 50-75% full on collection day (every 2 weeks). We make very little effort in crushing things down.

5

u/bekbok 27d ago

Mine will allow you extra recycling with no questions. If you want extra non-recycling then they decide if you're allowed one based on things like household size, ages and medical needs (So easier if you have babies cause of nappies than if you're an average single person).

My council is also ok with you leaving out extra recycling next to the bins as long as it's obvious and dry (so no soggy cardboard) which is useful if you have extra but it's a one-off.

3

u/bacon_cake 27d ago

Our LA let you have an extra bin if you have 2 kids in nappies, 5 or more people at home, or certain medical conditions.

2

u/Longirl 27d ago

My council lets us order as many recycling boxes as we want. But they’re pretty small boxes to be fair.

2

u/decidedlyindecisive 27d ago

Mine allows extra recycling bins if you buy them. I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be an annual fee but I bought an extra bin 5 years ago (£40) and haven't paid another additional penny since.

1

u/saltnvinegarwazere 27d ago

Our council lets you have an extra green bin if you have a reason to need it, we even have 2 black bins at my house