Eco Detective

๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Where Does Rubbish Go?

Follow a bottle from the classroom bin and discover the different journeys waste can take.

Step 1 of 7

The Journey Starts at the Bin

Putting an item in the correct bin helps it begin the right journey. Always follow your school or councilโ€™s local rules.

Check your local recycling guidance

Collection vehicles take waste to different facilities

๐Ÿซโ†’๐Ÿš›โ†’๐Ÿญ

Recycling, food waste and general rubbish may be collected separately, depending on local services.

At a sorting facility, materials are separated

๐Ÿ“„ ๐Ÿฅซ ๐Ÿงด ๐Ÿ“ฆ ๐Ÿฅซ ๐Ÿงด ๐Ÿ“„ ๐Ÿ“ฆ
๐Ÿ“„Paper and card
๐ŸฅซMetal
๐ŸงดAccepted plastics
๐ŸพGlass

Our bottle can become something new

๐Ÿงดโ†’๐Ÿซงโ†’๐Ÿ”นโ†’๐Ÿงฅ

Accepted plastic may be sorted, cleaned and processed into small pieces before being made into new products. Not every plastic can use the same route.

Food and garden waste can become compost

๐ŸŽโ†’๐ŸŒฟโ†’๐ŸŸคโ†’๐ŸŒฑ

At suitable facilities, natural waste breaks down into material that can help improve soil.

Not everything can go in ordinary recycling

๐Ÿ—‘๏ธSome waste goes to landfill
โšกSome may produce energy
๐Ÿ”‹Batteries need special collection
๐Ÿ“ฑElectronics need special recycling

Waste routes differ between areas, so checking local guidance matters.

The best rubbish is the rubbish we avoid creating

โฌ‡๏ธReduce what you use
๐Ÿ”Reuse and repair
๐ŸŽDonate useful items
โ™ป๏ธRecycle correctly

Use less first, then reuse, repair and recycle whenever the correct service is available.