Binman urges people to stop recycling one household item

A simple paperwork clear-out could create a recycling nightmare

Ashley, who has built a following on TikTok under the name The No1 Binman, says people should think twice before throwing shredded paper into their paper recycling bins. 

While intact sheets can generally be recycled without difficulty, tiny scraps are a different story, with many councils refusing to collect them.

The reason comes down to how recycling facilities handle the material. Once paper has been shredded, its fibres are weakened, making it harder for some paper mills to process. 

Trying to recycle it can also require extra time and money, while certain facilities face maintenance difficulties and potential fire hazards.

Binman shares £0 trick to stop shredded paper making a mess

But the problems do not end at the recycling plant. According to Ashley, loose scraps can turn a routine collection into a frustrating clean-up job, particularly when the weather is against the workers.

He explained that the paper can scatter across the ground when bins are emptied, leaving collectors to sweep it up afterwards.

“When we tip it when it's cold, windy, and wet, it goes everywhere, and then we have to try and get it off the floor, sweeping it up - it all sticks to the floor. It's horrible,” he said.

So what should you do with shredded documents? Ashley recommends putting them in your general waste bin if your council does not accept them for recycling. 

However, the rules differ between local authorities, meaning shredded paper is not automatically unsuitable for recycling everywhere.

If your council does allow it, Ashley suggests placing the scraps inside a bag before putting them out for collection. 

This helps stop the lightweight pieces from blowing away or spilling across the street.

“Put it [the shredded paper] in a Primark bag or something like a paper bag so it doesn't go everywhere,” he advised.

There are other options if shredded paper cannot go in your recycling bin. 

Households can take it to a paper bank, while non-glossy scraps can also be placed at the bottom of a food waste caddy to absorb liquid and help prevent drips.

The key is to check your local council's guidance before deciding where the scraps belong.