Snoopers search bins for ‘greasy’ offenders
COUNCIL snoopers are searching people’s recycling bins for Mcdonald’s brown bags, Domino’s boxes and other “greasy” fast food packaging.
Although fast food giants claim most of their bags and boxes are 100 per cent recyclable, Lincolnshire residents have been banned from putting them in new purple recycling bins.
Since 2019, all Mcdonald’s main-meal and side salads have come in cardboard containers that it says are 100 per cent recyclable. Mcflurry ice creams no longer have plastic lids and straws have been paper since 2018. Likewise, Domino’s says its pizza boxes are 100 per cent recyclable.
But Lincolnshire County Council has imposed a blanket ban on putting takeaway waste items in recycling bins. When collectors spot them they refuse to empty the entire bin.
As part of the purge, videos were posted on the council’s website showing officials picking through bins and highlighting offending items.
A council insider added: “Mcdonald’s is subject to a county-wide ban because it is contaminated
with grease. On the bottom of a Domino’s box, it says it is recyclable – but not in Lincolnshire.”
Councillor Daniel Mcnally, council waste boss, said: “The paper mill we send paper and card to for recycling will not accept takeaway containers.
“They take materials from many local authorities who also implement this policy. If grease has come into contact with packaging it breaks down the fibres and makes it non-recyclable.
“It can also affect the whole load of materials that then can’t be recycled. We ask residents to put cardboard takeaway containers in their general waste so that they can be turned into electricity at our Energy From Waste facility.”
A Domino’s spokesman described the council’s
‘Our boxes are fine to be recycled’
stance as “exceptional”. He added: “The boxes we use for our delicious pizzas, sides and baked desserts are made from recycled materials.
“Providing customers remove any excess food they are absolutely fine to be recycled and are accepted by the vast majority of local councils throughout the UK.”
Mcdonald’s did not respond to requests for comment.