Recycling is a key part of the circular economy, helping to protect our natural resources. Global Recycling Day was created in 2018 to help recognise the importance recycling plays in preserving our precious primary resources and securing the future of our planet.
For Seep, this Global Recycling Day we’re calling attention to traditional kitchen items that most people think are recyclable, but unfortunately aren’t.
Cleaning Items
-
Sponges & scourers – Made from synthetic foams, plastic fibres, or metal, which are difficult to separate and recycle.
-
J-cloths & microfibre cloths – Often made from polyester and other synthetic fibres, which release microplastics and can clog recycling machinery. They can’t be processed like textiles due to their small size and contamination from cleaning chemicals.
-
Rubber gloves – Whether latex or synthetic, they’re not accepted in standard recycling because they break down differently than other rubber products.
-
Wet wipes – Contain plastic fibres, making them unsuitable for paper recycling. Many are also soaked in cleaning agents that contaminate recycling streams.
-
Used paper towels – Paper fibres degrade when wet, making them unrecyclable. They’re also often contaminated with food, grease or cleaning products. In some cases, they can be composted instead.
Kitchenware & Utensils
-
Pyrex dishes – Made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass, which doesn’t melt at the same temperature as regular glass. If mixed in, it can weaken new glass products.
-
Plastic cooking utensils, cutlery & chopping boards – Often made from mixed plastics or lower-grade plastics, which aren’t widely accepted in household recycling. Their shape and size can also cause sorting issues in recycling facilities.
-
Wooden cooking utensils, cutlery & chopping boards – Not recyclable because they don’t break down like paper or cardboard. However, untreated wood (no varnish, paint or chemicals) can sometimes be composted.
-
Kitchen knives – Too sharp to be safely processed in recycling systems. While the metal could be recyclable, they need to be taken to scrap metal collection points instead.
-
Ceramic kitchenware – Fired ceramics (plates, mugs, bowls) don’t break down like glass and can’t be melted for reuse. Some places accept them at recycling centres for repurposing in construction materials.
-
Non-stick pans – The metal itself is recyclable, but the non-stick coating (often Teflon) contaminates the process. Some recycling programs accept them, but not standard household recycling.
Disposable Kitchen Items
-
Cling film – Often made from PVC or LDPE, which are difficult to recycle and frequently contaminated with food. Some supermarkets offer flexible plastic recycling schemes.
-
Baking paper – Usually coated with silicone or other non-stick substances, preventing it from being recycled with regular paper.
This Global Recycling Day find what you can and can't recycle at home, based on your postcode, here.
