Recycling containers: What goes in each one?

Plastic wrappers, orange peel, cardboard boxes... We throw away millions of tonnes of waste every year but only recycle a small portion of it. This is one of the major issues deepening the climate crisis. Turning things around begins at home. 

According to the United Nations, up to five billion plastic bags are used every year, and one million plastic bottles are bought every minute. However, data shows that just 9% of all the plastic waste ever produced has been recycled. Most of it ends up in landfills or in nature, especially the ocean. 

Each and every one of us is responsible for halting the devastating effect of the climate crisis, We must adopt sustainable behaviours like recycling at home.

Which containers should I throw my waste in?

To recycle correctly, we recommend having separate bins at home. That way, all we need to do is throw the bag into the corresponding recycling container. 

There are five types of containers: 

• Plastics, cans and cartons: The yellow container. Snack wrappers and drinks cans.  
• Paper and cardboard: The blue container. Newspapers and the boxes from moving home that you can’t reuse. 
• Glass: The green container. Bottles and jars. 
• Organic waste: The orange or brown container. Food waste like fruit peel and fish bones. 
• Other waste: The grey container. Kitchen utensils, ceramics, pet litter and others. 

While the colours listed above are the most used worldwide, they may vary by location. We also have other containers to recycle medicines and batteries, plus recycling centres for things like electronics that no longer work.