Materials for recycling go to different reprocessors. Zero Waste Scotland has information on . You can use our recycling sorter to .
Find out more about .
Mixed recycling
Our mixed recycling bins collect clean
- paper
- card
- cans and tins
- plastic bottles
- pots, tubs and trays.
These are sorted at Biffa’s sorting plant at Broxburn and sold to the different reprocessors.
Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays are sold to their sister company who operate their own plastics recycling plants in Humberside, County Durham and North Yorkshire.
- Aluminium cans are sold to who operate the UK’s only can recycling plant in Warrington.
- Paper and card are sorted into different grades and sold to a range of recyclers and merchants such as in Shotton, North Wales and in Manchester.
- Steel cans are sold to a in Yorkshire.
The materials are then recycled and can be used to make new cans, plastic bottles and trays, paper and packaging, as well as other items such as fridges and car parts. Around 80% of the UK’s plastic milk bottles contain plastic which came from one of Biffa’s plastic recycling plants.
Anything which is contaminated and can’t be recycled is reprocessed into a fuel for use in .
Food waste
Food waste goes to the at Millerhill and is made into renewable electricity and fertiliser.
Find out .
Garden waste
Garden waste is taken to where they shred garden waste in large piles, called open windrows, where it composts over time. The end product, a soil improver, can be bought by members of the public.
Glass
Glass is taken to at Motherwell, where it is sorted and processed into high quality raw materials for the glass container and fibreglass markets.
Textiles
Textiles are collected and sorted by to be re-used and recycled in developing nations in
- Africa
- Asia
- Eastern Europe.
Small electricals
Electrical items are shredded and metals and plastics are removed for recycling. Edinburgh's electricals are managed by the industry organisation
Batteries
Household batteries are sorted and processed at to recover the materials in each battery type.
Non recyclable waste
All waste that is collected from grey bins or black lidded communal bins is taken to our facility at Millerhill, where it is processed into electricity, instead of being landfilled. As the town of Shawfair and the surrounding area is developed, the plant will be able to supply waste heat to buildings there, making even better use of the things we don't want.
Less than 5% of our waste now goes to landfill. Landfill sites are large holes in the ground, lined with a layer of clay or synthetic material to prevent pollutants from escaping. Sites are well managed to protect the environment but it is important to use our recycling services where possible to make the best use of precious materials. Landfill is now only used when the energy recovery plant is closed for maintenance, or for items which are too big for the plant to use.
sets out the Scottish Government's vision for a zero waste society.