Few things are as frustrating as putting your recycling bin out, only to find it unemptied later that day. However, a binman known as The No1 Binman, who shares insights from behind the wheel of a bin lorry on TikTok, has revealed what he believes to be the “real reason” some recycling bins get left behind.
With over 200,000 followers and nearly four million likes, The No1 Binman often provides practical advice about waste collection. In a recent video, he illustrated what can happen when householders place incorrect waste in their recycling bins. In the clip, he opens a recycling bin, removes a black rubbish bag, and discards it, highlighting how such contamination can cause the bin to be rejected.
The issue lies in placing general waste inside recycling containers, which can contaminate otherwise recyclable materials. Bin crews cannot always determine if bags contain recyclable items, so entire collections may be refused if contamination is suspected.
Liverpool City Council clearly advises that recyclable items should be placed loose in blue recycling bins and cautions against including black bags, food, liquids, textiles, electrical items and other non-recyclables. Bins containing such items will not be emptied.
Using black bags for your recycling, intended to keep the contents tidy, can therefore backfire, potentially leading to the bin being left uncollected. The council states that bins with incorrect materials will be marked with a yellow sticker explaining the issue. Residents must then remove the unsuitable items and present the bin again on the next scheduled collection day.
Additionally, the council does not collect extra bags of recycling or general waste left beside the bin, so simply leaving extra rubbish outside will not resolve the problem.
To avoid collection issues, Liverpool residents should familiarise themselves with what is acceptable in blue bins. Items like paper, cardboard, cans, glass bottles and jars, plus plastic bottles, tubs and trays, should be placed loose inside rather than enclosed in bags.
This binman’s video is a useful reminder that seemingly minor shortcuts can result in an entire recycling collection being rejected. When unsure about an item, the best advice is to consult Liverpool City Council’s online recycling guide before bin day.