Recycling

What happens to my recycling after it is collected?

It’s taken to our materials recycling facility in Rainham, Essex. Here the recycling goes through a number of mechanical, electronic and manual processes that separate it into different materials which are then recycled into new products.

Can yoghurt pots, margarine tubs and Tetra Paks be recycled?

Recycling depends on people or companies wanting to buy the recycled materials. Unfortunately, at the moment, there isn’t demand for some recycled plastics, such as those used for yoghurt pots, meat trays or margarine tubs. This means that it isn’t economically or environmentally viable to collect them for recycling at the moment. We do not collect Tetra Paks in blue boxes or bags, although we are now trialling Tetra Pak recycling at some recycling points. Find out more here.

I always fill my blue box up. Please can I have another?

Unfortunately we can only provide one blue box per house or maisonette. Don’t forget you can use blue bags for recycling anything that won’t fit into your blue box.

My blue box has been lost or damaged. What can I do?

Please phone us on 01634 333333, email customer.first@medway.gov.uk, or use the online form and we’ll deliver you a new one.

I live in a flat. Where should I leave my recycling for collection?

Many flats now have large recycling containers in their bin store areas. If this is not  the case, please contact your managing agent or Medway Council for advice.

Can I put plastic in my blue box or bag?

Plastic, other than bottles or carrier bags, cannot be recycled by us so please don’t put  them in your blue bag or box.

Should I still use my blue box?

Yes. If you have a blue box use it for heavier items like paper and cardboard. Blue bags are ideal for lighter or bulkier items like tins or plastic bottles.

Can I put extra recycling out in black sacks?

No. Don’t put extra recycling out in black sacks – these will be treated as rubbish for landfill and will not be recycled. If you run out of blue bags you can collect more, free, from Medway Council contact points, or you can use carrier bags, cardboard boxes or swing-bin liners instead.

You can now recycle glass from home

How do I recycle glass using my blue box and bag?

Put your glass bottles and jars in your blue box or bag along with all your normal recycling. Medway’s household recyclable material is sent to Veolia’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Rainham, Essex, which has just undergone an extensive refurbishment programme that enables the facility to separate out glass from other recyclable materials

What types of glass can be recycled from home?

You can put glass bottles or jars of any colour in your blue box or bag. Other glass items (for example window glass, drinking glasses, light bulbs or Pyrex) cannot be recycled from home – please place these securely with your non-recyclable rubbish. Many of these items can be recycled at one of Medway’s three household waste and recycling centres. Find out more.

What should I do with broken glass bottles or jars?

For safety please wrap any broken items and put them in your non-recyclable rubbish. Please don’t mix them in with your other recyclable waste in your blue box or bag.

What happens to glass that’s recycled in my blue box and bag?

Glass collected from homes in Medway will be recycled in a number of ways, including as a substitute for aggregates, in filtration systems, in brick making and as fibreglass insulation.

I have a lot of glass from a party – what should I do?

Please be considerate to the collection crews and don’t place a box or bag full of glass out for collection.  Either mix your glass with other materials to spread the weight or take excess glass bottles or jars to your local bottle bank or household waste and recycling centre.

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