We are often asked what happens to your recycling materials once we have collected them. We work with a number of contracted suppliers who process recycling materials for us.
All these kinds of cans are made from tinplated steel and aluminium. Both these metals are recyclable and are used by the steel industry. Two-thirds of the aluminium ever produced is still in use today.
Most cardboard is re-pulped and recycled back into cardboard.
The cartons are pulped and the aluminium foil and polythene are separated from the fibres. The fibre is recovered to make new paper products and the remaining mix of plastic and aluminium can then be used in furniture or to generate energy.
See www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk
Are collected and processed at a recycling plant in accordance with Environment Agency requirements. Where possible component parts will be removed and reused.
Is sorted, crushed, screened. The recycled glass is then supplied back to glass manufacturers to produce new glass bottles and jars. Mixed coloured glass can also be used for aggregate in the construction industry.
Garden waste is composted on an industrial scale and used as a soil improver on land reclamation projects.
Used paper is sent to a paper mill which processes the paper and turns it into recycled paper. This can be printed on to make your daily newspapers.
In general, plastic is either melted down directly and moulded into a new shape, or shredded into flakes then melted down before being processed into granulates. There is a wide range of products made from recycled plastic such as fleece jackets, fencing, garden furniture, water butts and compost bins.
Is screened, crushed and used as foundation for roads and buildings.
Clothes and textiles are hand sorted, graded, baled. Some are exported for re-use and others are shredded.
Textiles that cannot be reused are shredded before being reprocessed into new items. Industrial quality "blankets" which protect equipment whilst being transporting is one example of what recycled textiles may become.
Wood can be chipped to make MDF board or Chipboard to make new furniture.
Watch our short film about the journey of your household waste. See how Bradford Council deals with the everyday task of collecting and disposing of household waste and see how you could help in reducing waste being sent to landfill by recycling more.
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