What we can't accept in blue lid recycling bins

These things should be put in your refuse bin so that they can be burned cleanly and electricity generated for the National Grid in one of three energy recovery facilities:

• Plastic bags - All recyclables must be loose as machinery at the sorting plant can't open bags. The only exception is clear plastic sacks which are opened if staff can see that contents are recyclable. We do not recycle the plastic bags themselves.
• Any plastic other than bottles - There are difficulties sorting other plastics, and limited facilities for recycling plastics other than bottles. You can see more information on plastics. 
• Shredded paper - This gets blown around the sorting plant and is lost. It can be put in a home composter where it works well mixed with grass. You can get more information about shredded paper.
• Tetra Paks (cartons, e.g. drink cartons) – There are limited facilities for recycling these which are a mixture of card, plastic film and aluminium. We are looking at other options but we need to take into consideration the energy and water used in recycling it, compared to recovering the energy via incineration.
• Glass - Glass shards ruin newspaper if they are put in the recycling bin together. Please recycle at a glass bank or put in your household refuse.

Glass Recycling

Fareham does not currently provide a kerbside glass collection service but has a network of glass bank locations across the Borough (see above). Any decision to change from a glass bank collection service to a kerbside collection service will be dependant on the legislative requirements for kerbside collection of recyclable material associated with the new Environment Bill.

Under the new arrangements we anticipate there will be an opportunity for the Council to collect glass at the kerbside with other recyclable containers including, cans and plastic bottles when the legislation is introduced.

This will be provide a more cost effective and efficient collection of glass and will produce significantly less CO2 emissions than a separate kerbside glass collection service.

For more information please email customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk or call us on 01329 236100.