Have you ever wondered what happens to our recycling once it leaves our bins? Are we recycling correctly, and does it really make a difference? All are really good questions, at the recent Hug Festival organised by Moorlands Climate Action, we spoke with Jason Taylor from AES (Alliance Environmental Services), who provides our local recycling services on behalf of SMDC. Jason attended the festival to share recycling information with local residents, addressing many of the questions that generally occur to us just as we put out our bins which AES then collect.

One of the big questions many of us struggle with is what goes in what bin. Jason uses a mini conveyor belt and a selection of bins showing the destination of each item to demonstrate how the process works, really helping to visualise the process.

Jason told our COGNEWS reporter that Moorlands waste goes over to Alfreton for sorting and dispersal. Firstly, it gets sorted into steel, mixed paper and card, plastic packaging, aluminum, and glass. This is separated by all the materials going round and round on conveyor belts where magnets and scanners pick up and place the right items in the right places.

There's also human involvement too, with operatives carrying out the work that the equipment can't separate, such as when we put items inside other items. Convenient for carrying out to the bin, but not brilliant for the recycling plant. It's good to rinse items too because it reduces the smell both in the bin and beyond, though a thorough wash isn't necessary.

~~Jason's top tip: Rinse out your recycling at the end of your dishwashing process, and you'll save water while getting your recycling cleaner

Some products are confusing for recyclers, such as plastic pots with a foil lid and cylinders with a cardboard outer. Jason's advice is to separate the items if you can and put the components in the recycling bin (grey lid).

Jason also has a handy collection of items to avoid food waste to give away, including a rice scoop and a spaghetti measure. The rice scoop measures a perfect amount each time you use it. Simply add one and a half scoops of water, and you'll cut cooking time too.

~~POV: I have a collection of plastic measuring cups which help me with portion control - I'd not considered that this also reduces food waste, energy usage, and wastewater too.

I often make three portions for dinner even though we only need two; we put the leftovers in a plastic takeaway container, saved from previous indulgences. This then gets popped into the fridge for lunch the following day. It's amazing how many things are great cold on a sandwich or with a bit of salad, and if we don't eat it, it goes in the freezer. In the winter months, they often get liquidised into soup by adding a stock pot and a few herbs or added to a jacket potato.

It's better to focus on reducing first and then recycling, Jason told us. Reusing is often easier and quicker with less processing, meaning less cost and environmental impact too. Jason then showed us his collection of things he'd made from tin cans, which he takes along to his talks with groups, especially schools, as part of his work as the company's engagement officer.

Pick Fit is another recycling project helping reduce litter while keeping fit. You can sign up to receive a litter picking kit for your family or group. This includes a picker, high-vis vests, and special green bags. When you've done your pick, you put your bag(s) next to a litter bin, take a photo, and send it to the email address provided, telling AES where you dropped your bag(s), and they will arrange for it to be picked up. Do be sure to send your email; otherwise, this could be classed as fly-tipping and would incur a fine.

Jason's message is: use less, put less in your blue-lidded bin, and take your soft plastics to the local supermarkets for disposal if you can.

~~Further reading:
More information about Pick fit: https://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/Pick-Fit

What goes in your bins: https://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/BinsHelp