Recycling Myths Exposed: Are You Doing It All Wrong?

Written by Nick Towens

Key findings

• Many homeowners believe metals can’t be recycled in skips, but with proper waste management companies like Towens, aluminium, steel and copper are all recyclable materials
• Contrary to popular belief, electrical equipment cannot be safely recycled through standard skip hire due to hazardous components requiring specialist handling
• Skip hire isn’t inherently bad for the environment – sustainable companies like Towens achieve an 85.55% recycling rate, diverting tons of materials from landfill
• Proper waste separation dramatically improves recycling outcomes, with mixed skips requiring more processing than inert materials like soil and stone
• Understanding what can and can’t go in your skip prevents contamination and ensures maximum recycling potential for your waste materials

Recycling confusion is costing us all. With over 220 million tonnes of waste produced annually in the UK, getting recycling right has never been more critical for future generations. Yet many of us are making fundamental mistakes that send perfectly recyclable materials straight to landfill.

After supporting customers across the South West for over 30 years, we’ve seen every recycling myth imaginable. From homeowners convinced that metals don’t belong in skips to businesses thinking all electrical equipment can be recycled together, these misconceptions are undermining our collective efforts to create a circular economy.

The good news? Most recycling mistakes are easily fixed once you know the facts. Understanding proper waste separation, knowing which materials genuinely have a second life and choosing the right waste management partner can transform your environmental impact.

Common recycling myths debunked

The recycling process seems straightforward, but persistent myths continue to confuse homeowners and businesses. These misconceptions often stem from outdated information or differences between waste collection services. Understanding the truth is essential for effective waste management and environmental compliance.

Metals can’t be recycled in skips

This widespread belief couldn’t be further from the truth. At Towens, we actively encourage metal recycling in our skips. Aluminium cans, steel appliances, copper pipes and other scrap metal items can all go in your skip hire. These valuable recyclable materials are easily separated during our recycling process and can be reformed into new products indefinitely.

All electrical equipment can be recycled in skips

Electronic equipment cannot simply be thrown into your standard skip alongside cardboard boxes and garden waste. Items like fridges, freezers, fluorescent tubes and other electrical equipment contain hazardous materials requiring specialist handling. At Towens, we’re transparent about this – electrical items need separate collection to ensure safe processing of dangerous components.

Skip hire is bad for the environment

This myth stems from outdated waste management practices. Modern, sustainable companies like Towens achieve an 85.55% recycling rate, with only 8.05% of waste materials ending up in landfill. Our sophisticated processes transform your waste into valuable resources, supporting the circular economy whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

All plastics are recyclable together

Not all plastic is created equal. Different plastic types require different recycling processes, and mixing them can contaminate entire waste streams. Plastic bottles, plastic bags and food containers each follow separate pathways. Clean plastic bottles work well in skips, but contaminated plastics cause processing problems.

Paper and cardboard can always be recycled

Clean paper and cardboard boxes are excellent recyclable materials, but contamination changes everything. Pizza boxes with grease stains, paper towels with food scraps, or cardboard mixed with other waste materials can’t be processed effectively. Quality matters as much as quantity for recyclable materials.

Bigger items automatically count as hazardous waste

Size doesn’t determine whether something is hazardous household waste. Large wooden furniture, garden waste and bulky items often fit perfectly in our larger skips. However, some small items like batteries, aerosol cans and paint tins require specialist handling regardless of size. Material composition, not dimensions, determines proper disposal methods.

Everything biodegradable belongs in recycling bins

Natural doesn’t always mean recyclable through standard collection systems. Food waste contaminates other recyclable materials and attracts pests. Organic waste like food scraps needs separate collection or composting. Clean materials perform best when uncontaminated by food waste.

What we do with waste from your skip

Understanding where your waste goes helps you make better recycling decisions. Our process transforms discarded materials into valuable resources, supporting the circular economy whilst minimising environmental impact.

When your skip arrives at our transfer station, different materials follow carefully designed pathways to maximise recycling potential. Inert materials like soil and stone become recycled aggregates, topsoil and subsoils for construction projects. Our Westonzoyland facility produces WRAP Quality Protocol compliant materials, offering sustainable alternatives to quarried raw materials.

Mixed waste undergoes comprehensive sorting using mechanical and manual processes. Materials are munched, trammelled, hand-picked, blown and magnetically separated to isolate different waste streams. This ensures maximum recovery of recyclable materials.

Plasterboard receives special treatment before transport to manufacturers for recycling into new plasterboard products. This closed-loop process reduces demand for raw materials whilst diverting bulky items from landfill. The small percentage of non-recyclable material goes to licensed landfill sites, but our innovative processes mean this represents less than 9% of total waste handled.

Skip hire from Towens

Our skip hire service combines transparent pricing with genuine environmental benefits. We’ve eliminated hidden costs whilst maximising recycling potential for your waste materials.

We offer five skip sizes for different projects. Our 2-yard skip suits garden clearances (10-15 black bin bags), 4-yard skips handle bathroom refits (25-30 bags), 6-yard skips manage larger renovations (30-40 bags), whilst 8-yard and 12-yard skips handle substantial construction and commercial waste.

Pricing depends on skip size, waste type and delivery location. Inert materials like soil and stone cost less than mixed materials. A 6-yard skip in Weston-super-Mare starts from £288 for inert materials or £306 for mixed waste, including VAT.

What can go in your skip:

• Wood and garden waste
• Sand, stone and soil
• Paper and cardboard
• Plastic materials
• Metals
• General household waste

What can’t go in your skip:

• Electrical equipment
• Plasterboard (requires separate handling)
• Asbestos
• Batteries and tyres
• Paint tins and liquids
• Food waste

We serve Somerset, including the Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Chew Valley areas, with delivery typically within 24 hours. Permits for public highway placement cost £70-100 and take 3-5 working days – we’ll arrange this for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put metal items in my Towens skip?

Yes, circular materials and metals like aluminium, steel and copper are valuable recyclable materials that we actively encourage in our skips. These materials are separated during processing and recycled into new products.

How much of my skip waste actually gets recycled?

We achieve an 85.55% recycling rate across all materials. Only 8.05% goes to landfill, with 6.40% used for energy recovery. This means over 91% of your waste avoids landfill entirely, aiding wildlife, human health, and our planet as a whole.

Do I need a permit for skip placement?

You’ll need a permit if placing your skip on public highway, including outside your property. Permits cost £70-100 and take 3-5 working days. We can arrange this, though permits aren’t available in all areas.

What happens if I put prohibited items in my skip?

Prohibited items like electrical equipment or hazardous waste require specialist handling for safety and environmental compliance. We’ll contact you to arrange proper disposal through appropriate channels.

Who are Towens

We’re a family business supporting customers across the South West for over 30 years. Our mission is simple: help you reduce environmental impact by recycling as much as possible whilst avoiding landfill.

We treat solid waste as a resource, finding ways to recycle or reuse all we can. Wood, stone, soil, metals, plasterboard and most plastics can all have a second life. This reduces society’s dependence on virgin materials whilst supporting environmental goals and natural resources conservation.

Our comprehensive services include the benefits of recycling, skip hire, weighbridge services, soil testing, environmental permits and construction waste management. We also provide consultancy expertise for environmental compliance and support with planning applications.

Based across Somerset with facilities in Weston-super-Mare and Westonzoyland, we handle everything from small domestic projects to large commercial contracts. Our sophisticated treatment processes support the recycling industry whilst reducing energy consumption and much energy waste compared to traditional disposal methods.

Ready to recycle responsibly? Contact us on 01934 424242 to book your skip hire today. Let’s create a more sustainable future, one recycled item at a time.