Alert Section

Common Misconceptions


Reuse and Recycling are the same thing

Reuse is a different and better option to recycling. It uses something again, either for its original purpose, or to fulfil a different function by creative reuse or repurposing.

Recycling involves an industrial process to change its form.  It is still the best option where reuse is not possible.

Flintshire collects recycling materials but then sends it all to landfill

The materials you place out for your kerbside recycling collection, or take to one of our five household recycling centers is recycled.

Information regarding materials handled and captured for recycling are open to public scrutiny and are strictly controlled by government legislation.

For further information visit https://gov.wales/recycling-waste

Flintshire makes a fortune by sellingthe recycling materials it collects

The sale of recycling materials such as plastics, paper, glass, aluminium and steel is reliant on the availability of a commercial market.

Where there is a commercial market, Flintshire sells some of the recycling material it collects.  The money we make from this is often not enough to cover the costs of collection, transport and processing. An income from the materials is reinvested into the waste collection service. 

Often there is no commercial market and rather than selling the material collected, the Council has to pay for the material to be recycled.

Using the food caddy will create smells and attract vermin

Food collections take place every week. Using the free bio-bags supplied and placing the (not too) full bags into the green caddy outside, will prevent smells and deter flies and animals. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of caddies will avoid smells and unpleasant conditions for you and our collections crews!  

Always use the green caddy locking handle when placing out for collection.

I’ve seen the collection crew putting my recycling in the bin lorry, so what’s the point?  

There are occasions, due to vehicle breakdown or during holiday periods, when an empty refuse vehicle is deployed to assist with collection. However, the recyclable materials collected are taken to the transfer station for manual sorting before baling. If recycling materials have been presented that are heavily contaminated, they may be collected by a local refuse crew.  

One big bin for all the recycling is better than separating it into bags and boxes

The containers we supply allow separation of glass from paper and other materials which prevents contamination from broken glass. This ensures the maximum quality is preserved for recycling. Mixed cans and plastic are delivered to Buckley transfer station where sorting and bulking of materials takes place. Separation of waste at source is advocated by the Welsh Government collections blueprint.

Using separate containers also allows for flexible choices for storage and collection.