When recyclable materials are placed in the rubbish bin there is an environmental cost, as it cannot be recycled. We all have an important role to play in ensuring that recyclable materials are recovered rather than sent for more costly disposal.
In 2019 we carried out a waste composition analysis which showed us the make up of Suffolk's rubbish bins. The figures below show the results and the items that end up in the rubbish bin that can easily be recycled or reduced (e.g. at home, at bring banks or home composted).
What we throw away
Did you know over half the waste in Suffolk's rubbish bins could have been reduced or recycled?
34.9% food waste
4.19% recyclable textiles
5.5% garden waste
5.7% glass bottles and jars
2.13% recyclable paper
1.51 % recyclable cardboard
2.53% recyclable plastic
1.8% recyclable metals
A small proportion of the remaining waste can be recycled at Suffolk's Recycling Centres (e.g. wood, electricals and hard plastics). Electricals can also be recycled at electrical banks across Ipswich and East Suffolk.
If you'd like even more detail, see the countywide table which was produced following the analysis: