Dirty Nappies Contaminating Recycling

A plea is being made to parents across Harborough not to put dirty nappies in their recycling.

Up to 4,000 are being found every day among the cardboard, glass and plastic, being sorted from recycling bins around Leicestershire.

It means whole batches having to be sent to landfill sites because they are contaminated, which in turn costs the County Council more cash and is worse for the environment.

The has joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy to back its #TedSays campaign, to encourage residents to recycle responsibly and to put nappies where they belong – in the general waste bin.

The campaign is fronted by ‘Ted’ the teddy bear who will be appearing on billboards across the country and social media, with the message that just one nappy can spoil a whole truckload of recycling.

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment, said: “In the UK, 7% of parents and carers who use disposable nappies, put them in their recycling – that’s over a million people.

“Putting nappies in recycling can result in loads being rejected at recycling sorting centres and this is costly and results in more waste going to landfill.

“We’re committed to doing our best to improve the environment and that’s why we are pleased to be backing Keep Britain Tidy and its #TedSays campaign.”