This page aims to inform residents what they can and can’t recycle in Lewisham, this mainly covers the recycling collection service we provide – if you live in Lewisham you should have access to either a green bin or box, if your property is on an estate then there should be facilities close by. If you don’t have access to any of these email recycle@lewisham.gov.uk
Here’s what you can now recycle in Lewisham…..
New Materials for Recycling in Lewisham
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- New Materials for Recycling in Lewisham
Cans
We can accept fizzy drinks and beverage cans, all tinned food cans and kitchen foil (clean of course).
Glass
We accept glass bottles and jars in the kerbside recycling bins and boxes. We do not accept other sorts of glass such as Pyrex and window glass; this is because they have different melting points and will produce imperfections which can cause problems with the strength of glass when it has been recycled. We can also not accept reading glasses or lightbulbs because they have a mix of materials which are not easily separated. Find out where to recycle lightbulbs here
Paper
We accept newspapers, magazines, junk mail, envelopes, telephone directories, books, chocolate wrappers, catalogues and also now shredded paper which we have now started collecting since December 5th, 2011.
Plastics
You can recycle plastic bottles, this includes drinks bottles but also toiletries bottles, washing up bottles etc. You can also recycle mixed plastics, this includes items such as margarine tubs, triangle sandwich packaging, yoghurt pots, party platters, ready meal trays, bubble wrap, meat trays and crisp packets (again, all clean!).
Textiles
You can now put textiles in your recycling bins. However, if the textiles are in good condition we suggest trying your nearest charity shop and then one of our textile banks first. After that you can use your recycling bin to place your textiles in there loose.
Beverage cartons
Also known as Tetra Paks, i.e. juice cartons, food cartons (all clean). Please place in the bins loose.
VHS Cassettes
We currently do not offer recycling for old VHS cassettes as they are a very difficult item to recycle and generally you would need specialist companies.
If they are pre recorded films we would suggest giving them to a charity shop. If they have personal information or memories I would suggest that you should destroy them and put the contents in your refuse bin. Please DO NOT put them in your recycling bin as the tape can seriously damage the machines in the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF).
So in summary our suggestions would be:
Pass Them On: offer pre-recorded videos to your local charity shop or on Freecycle – not everyone’s made the switch to DVD and it’s a cheap way for them to pick up entertainment for free/cheap. Some charity shops don’t accept them any more because no one buys them – it differs from shop to shop and between areas.
Reuse: Crafters have used the tape for crocheting or weaving. The resulting fabric if often used for retro-style bags or purse. Gardeners also use strips of video to deter birds from attacking seedlings.
Recycle: Some recycling schemes do exist but they tend to be private and only available in a limited area (due to postage/transport costs). Details of some schemes are below.
If you follow the below links it will give you some more information on the subject:
http://www.tapesuk.co.uk/acatalog/index.html
http://www.therecyclingpeople.co.uk/index.php?page=media
Too much wasted package in supermarkets.
Why cannot you not put more pressure on supermarkets to use less package?
Hi Wanda,
Thanks for your comments – I could not agree more!There is far too much packaging on almost everything we consume, from food to electronics.
As a council we see our role as helping residents to minimise the amount of waste they produce (which includes packaging), by providing them with tips and practical help. We are currently running a campaign called Love Food Hate Waste and are planning a number of activities for Waste Prevention Week in November. There will be more information on the blog, so please sign up to get updates.
In terms of minimising packaging at supermarkets you are well within your rights to un-package goods at the supermarket checkout for the supermarket to deal with. Obviously this is not solving the root cause of the problem but does make a statement.
In order to encourage supermarkets to minimise their waste we are part of national bodies such as LARAC (Local Authority Recycling Advisory Commitee), who are able to pressure government and write policy responses in much more effective ways than a single Local Authority is able to.
There is something called the courtauld commitment which is a voluntary agreement aimed at improving resource efficiency and reducing the carbon and wider environmental impact of the grocery retail sector. Although this is a significant step the fact that it is voluntary is slightly dissapointing. I would suggest that if this is something you feel very passionately about you could write to your MP,
I hope this helps!
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Can I recycle paper envelops with address windows? Or do I need to rip the window out?
Hi Dermot, although preferable it’s not essential to rip the windows out – we’d much rather everybody recycles as much as possible!
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Hello
Please can you let me know what is the best way to dispose of old duvets?
Thanks
Nicola
Hi Nicola
I’m sure you’ve tried the textile banks and realised that they don’t take them. Another option could be charity shops if clean or local animal centres for dog bedding. Celia Hammonds in Lewisham may take it, their number is 0208 691 2100 or try the PDSA in New Cross, their number is 0208 691 0577
Regards
Paddy
Hello. I’ve a lot of ploystyrene packaging chips after Christmas deliveries. Where should I dispose of them, please?
Neil
Hi Neil,
Sorry but we cannot recycle polystyrene. Are you able to break this down and put this into your domestic refuse bin?
Regards