There are contamination monsters causing havoc across Brent, trampling through recycling bins, contaminating recycling and costing taxpayers thousands of pounds.
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Monsters on the loose in recycling bins across Brent
We all know it is important to recycle, yet we still see food waste, clothing, black bin bags and even dirty nappies in Brent recycling bins, which leads to recycling being incinerated instead of recycled, every month.
Last year, Brent Council spent more than half a million pounds redirecting contaminated recycling to general waste, because items were placed in the incorrect bins.
Contamination monsters
The six main monsters often found contaminating Brent blue-lidded recycling bins are:
Food Waste Monster
Food waste monster
Food waste should go into your green food waste caddy which will be turned into compost whilst creating energy to power the community. Order your free food caddy.
Nappy Monster
Nappy Monster
All used and new nappies go in your black general waste bin. Don’t let them stink out your recycling!
Textiles & Clothing Monster
Textiles & Clothing Monster
Textiles cannot be recycled in your blue-lidded recycling bin as they get caught in and damage machines at the recycling facility. Use the council’s free small items collection service or simply drop unwanted clothes and textiles in Traid clothing bins around the borough.
Garden Waste Monster
Garden Waste Monster
Garden waste cannot go into your blue-lidded recycling bin. Instead, sign up for the council’s garden waste service or take it to Abbey Road Waste Facility for free.
Electrical Items Monster
Electrical items Monster
Electricals and batteries cannot go in your blue-lidded recycling bin. Not only do they lead to rejected recycling, they also cause fires. To recycle your small electricals and batteries, use the council’s free small items collection service.
Black Sack Monster
Black Sack Monster
Black bin bags should only be used in your general waste bin. All recyclables should be placed loose and dry in your recycling bins.
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We know how much time and effort residents put into recycling, and doing their bit for the planet. It might seem like a bit of a horror to hear that some recycling doesn’t end up being recycled because of these contamination monsters. Don’t get caught out with a monster in your bin. Remind yourself what goes where to prevent this nightmare.
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If your bin is contaminated
If your bin contains the wrong items, it might not be emptied. A sticker or tag will be placed on the bin to let you know there's a problem.
If your bin wasn’t collected because it was contaminated:
- Check online to find out what shouldn’t be in there
- Remove the bin monsters before your next collection day
It will be your responsibility to ensure that the wrong materials are removed before the next collection takes place.
If your bin has not been collected due to contamination, you can:
- wait for your next scheduled collection; or,
- take your recycling and/or rubbish to the Abbey Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre
You can check what goes in which bin using Brent Recycleopedia or download the app.
Need more help? Watch the short video above for quick advice on how to keep your bin monster-free and your recycling on the right path.
More tips and ideas for reducing waste and ways you can reuse or repair unwanted or broken items.
Last updated 15/04/25