RECYCLING DOs

SCRAPE out any food and pour away excess liquid, then rinse all your recyclable items in washing-up water (there’s no need to put them through the dishwasher) before putting them in your recycling bin. Recycled items don’t have to be pristine, but food residue can render them less valuable.

CHECK if your local authority can take Tetra Pak cartons (64 per cent can) as well as plastic pots, tubs and trays (75 per cent can). If not, check recycle now.com to find a collection point.

FLATTEN plastic bottles to reduce bulk, then replace the lids so they don’t drop off the conveyor belt at the plant.

REMOVE and bin excessive tape and polystyrene from cardboard packaging, but don’t worry about plastic windows in envelopes, as these will be removed in the recycling process.

PUMP dispenser tops, on liquid soap bottles for instance, can’t be recycled, but trigger sprays, such as those on kitchen cleaning sprays, can. CLEAN foil can be recycled, but not if it’s smeared with food.

AEROSOL bottles and their lids can be recycled in most areas, just remove the lid first.

CRUSH metal cans and flatten cardboard boxes to save space and make them more efficient to transport.

IF PLASTIC bags are accepted as a recyclable item, gather them all into one bag and tie it closed. Some local authorities accept bubble wrap, too.