A couple of recycling questions? Does anyone know the answers?

[Radley]

Why aren't you allowed to put shredded paper in the recycling if it is all paper and in a paper bag

&

the plastic off the ecover washing powder and dishwasher tablets are 100% recyclable, where do I put them, in paper or plastic with bottles etc?

[BettySpaghetti]

DP read somewhere recently that if you shred paper then it makes the fibres too short to be useful in recycling it (or something like that?) - must admit I'd never heard of this before as we have always put any shredded paper in the recycling bag.

[NomDePlume]

my old next door neighbour is an accountant and always puts her shredded paper out for the recycling collection with no problems.

[NomDePlume]

sorry, the relevance of her profession is that she has a lot of confidential paperwork that she has to shred before disposal

[twelveyeargap]

Some council websites say that shredded paper can be recycled in the cardboard banks and some councils say just sandwich your shredded paper between newspaper to compress it. If your kerbside collection takes cardboard, then you could bag the shredded paper or put it in a ceral box for recycling.

Any plastic that is not a PET plastic drinks bottle cannot currently be recycled by my council. Your own council website should be able to advise.

[Furball]

I used to put my shredded paper in the recycling - I asked one of the chaps first and he said fine, no problems but I now put all our shredding on the compost heap.

Different councils have different views on plastics. Ours have only just started plastic bottles but won't do, say, yoghurt pots or other packaging. You need to check with your local council to ask them exactly what they do.

[flack]

That's really helpful, Betty Spagh.
We burn our shredded paper, btw.

[Skribble]

I put all my polythene bags and packaging in tescos bag collection bins, it does say carrier bags only but it goes in the same container in the stockroom as all the packaging they chuck behind the scenes so I am sure it all gets recycled.

Our council recycles PET and HDPE plastics, which is mostly bottles. The skip is right accross the road from me which is great as they don't collect plastic kerbside.

[peanutbutterkid]

Can I add another question... we aren't supposed to squish plastic bottles (milk bottles) before they go in the bin. Why not?

We squish them anyway or else they would fill the kitchen recycling bin up too fast.

[geogteach]

No idea, here you do have to squish plastic bottles.

[nikkie]

we get told to squish them too (they take up too much room in the bin/transport otherwise)

[ComeOVeneer]

Ours don't take cardboard or plastic .

[MrsSpoon]

I believe, although have never looked into it too closely, that some packaging, particularly for organic fruit and veg is compostable.

[rosie79]

Yes MrsSpoon some 'plastic' packaging like salad pots is actually made of corn or other organic material so can go on the compost heap. Don't think many big companies use this type of packaging though.

[cocomoran]

"Recycling" or donating Pushchairs???

I have a few pushchairs (McLaren) that I don't need anymore - they are not in top condition - therefore I would not sell them. Most would need some TLC & change of wheels but am sure that they can be of help to someone. My local charities won't take them. I feel really bad throwing that away - such as waste - and really not good for the environement.
I would really appreciate Any suggestions?

Thank you!!

[moondog]

Women's Aid Coco?
They are usually desperate for stuff like this.
Alternatively,try Freecycle.

[CheeryGarcia]

cocomoran - have you tried freecycle?

here

[pepsi]

Im sure I heard on the radio that shredded paper can get caught up and jam the recylcing machines.