Contamination

Contamination includes leftover or residual food and liquids on paper, cardboard, plastic and metal materials. These contaminants should be washed off before the materials are put in the bin. For example, a pizza box with bits of food or heavy grease stains cannot be recycled unless these are washed off.

In Ireland, 10% of all waste found in green bins is contamination. This contamination reduces the amount of rubbish that can actually be recycled, leading to higher waste incineration and higher pollution. The government could invest in the monitoring of contamination and introduce fines for the amount of it found in household bins. Similary to the single use plastic tax, increased fines will lead to an unpopular government.