Recycling isn’t just about throwing stuff in a bin and hoping for the best - it’s about creating a cleaner, greener future for our community. That’s at the heart of our new campaign that’s putting Rochford back on the map as a recycling leader.
The "Recycling, Rochford sorts it!" campaign is an initiative by the Love Essex team and Rochford District Council to educate residents about what can be recycled in the District and increase awareness about the importance of recycling in our community.
Whether it’s the confidence of knowing what goes where, keeping precious materials out of landfill and in circulation, or the satisfaction of doing your part for the community, this campaign is all about saving everything that we can from going to waste.
Not sure what goes where? We’ve got you.
Let’s face it: life is busy. Between family, work, and everything else, it can be hard to keep on top of what can be recycled. Not only do we have our ‘Recycling A to Z’ search function placed on the side of our recycling pages, but you may have come across this campaign’s leaflet and bin hanger that aims to make it easier for you to be an effective recycler.
As a reminder, here is what can be recycled at kerbside in Rochford:
- Paper and cardboard
- Tins and cans
- Glass bottles and jars
- Plastic bottles and food containers (pots, tubs, and trays)
- Aerosols and clean foil
What happens to recycling in Rochford?
Like you, we feel it’s important to know what happens to our recycling after we put it in our bin. To help you feel more confident in where your recycling goes next after it is collected at kerbside, here is a breakdown of the transformative journey your recycling takes in Rochford:
- In Rochford, your recycling is delivered to James Waste material sorting facility. The first step is to load the recycling onto a conveyor belt. A combination of manual and automated systems separate the different types of materials.
- The first manual sorting area is called the Pre-sort. This is where any non-recyclable material is removed. The main items removed at this stage include: food waste residues, and sanitary products, such as nappies. It is essential to remove contaminants as they can cause issues later in the recycling process.
- Next, screens are used to separate paper and card from the rest of the materials. The paper and card are then sent to paper mills where they are recycled into new paper products. Did you know that it can take as little as seven days to recycle a newspaper into a new one?
- Metals like tin cans and foil are also sorted. The recycling conveys under a magnet that will remove all magnetic metals like steel. These metals are then melted down and reused to create new products. Aluminium is not magnetic, so the conveyor belt then goes below the Eddy current machine. The Eddy current makes the aluminium cans jump off the conveyor belt.
- Plastic items are separated by hand before being baled and sent to a reprocessor. They can be shredded, washed, and melted into pellets that can be used to make new plastic products.
- After sorting, the materials are baled and sent off to various facilities. For example, plastic bottles might be turned into new packaging, while paper and card can be recycled into new paper products. Metals like aluminium and steel are melted down and reused in manufacturing. Glass is crushed and remelted to make new glass products.
Almost half of Rochford’s recycled material stays in the UK, and over 90% is kept within Europe. By recycling, you’re helping to conserve natural resources, save energy, and money for the Council to use on other essential services.
'So where do I come in?’
From placing more recycling containers around the house to just keeping everyone in your household on the same page when it comes to recycling, we want Rochford residents to have plenty of easy options to rescue all the recycling they can.
When put together, small changes from each household can create a big, positive wave of difference – so we can’t do this without you! With the handy tools on our website, and the leaflets and bin hangers we have sent to some of you, we want to empower you to recycle with confidence so that you can say, ‘Recycling? I’ve got it sorted!’
So, Rochford, are you in? Let’s show everyone that when it comes to recycling, we've got it sorted. See our recycling landing page for more information on recycling in Rochford, and the Love Essex website for further information on waste and recycling disposal in Essex.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get involved in the campaign?
It’s easy! Adopt our tips, check what can and cannot be place in the recycling bin in Rochford and start recycling as much as you can from every room in your house. Like, comment and share the content posted on social media and talk to your family and friends about the campaign and the importance of recycling right and encourage them to do the same.
What items can I recycle in my kerbside collection?
You can recycle paper and card, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, tins, cans, glass bottles and jars, clean foil, and empty aerosols. For a detailed list, please refer to the "What Goes Where?" section on our website.
What items are not accepted in the recycling bin?
Wet items and items containing food residues should not be placed in the recycling, always empty and give them a rinse first! Recycling should be placed loose in the bin. Additionally, electrical items, batteries, textiles, sanitary waste, garden waste, drinking glass, crockery and plastic toys and hangers should not be placed in the recycling bin. Remember to check the online directory if you are unsure: What Goes Where? and if in doubt, keep it out!
I am not sure if an item is recyclable, what should I do?
If in doubt, always check the recycling directory on our website at What Goes Where? You can also refer to the hanger and leaflet you received as part of this campaign. We recommend displaying them somewhere visible close to your inside bin area for a handy reminder.
Are there any changes to my recycling and waste collection service?
There are no changes to your recycling and waste collection service. For further information and to stay up to date on your collection service, please visit Rochford District Council’s website
Why is recycling important?
More and more people recycle every day. This helps to reduce the need for landfill and more costly forms of disposal. Recycling also reduces the need for extracting (by mining or logging), refining and processing raw materials all of which create substantial air and water pollution. This helps to save energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to tackle climate change. Did you know that recycling cans saves up to 95% of the energy needed to make new cans from raw material?
Can I recycle small electrical items and batteries?
If your electrical item still works, consider donating it first. Small electronic items can be donated at charity shops or you can give them to friends or list them on Facebook Marketplace or Freegle. Broken small electrical items can be recycled at our reception area, recycling centre or at selected drop-off locations across the District. To find your nearest drop-off location visit: Recycle Your Electricals - WEEE Recycling - Material Focus.
Batteries can be recycled at our reception areas, libraries, Rayleigh Recycling Centre. As well as supermarkets and retailers that sell batteries as they often have recycling collection points for them in-store.
When will I receive the hanger and leaflet?
If your household is in our trial area, you should expect the leaflets and hangers to be delivered to the selected households week commencing 3 March 2025.
Where can I find more information about recycling in Rochford?
For more information about the recycling and waste service in the District, visit: rochford.gov.uk/recycling
My recycling bin is broken / I do not have a recycling bin, what should I do?
Please use our online form if you need a new bin or need a repair to your bin.
I live in a property with a communal bin store, how can I get involved in the campaign?
Even if you do not have wheelie bins and do not receive the leaflet or hanger, you can still get involved by making sure you recycle as much as you can from around the house and tell your neighbours and friends about the campaign!
Why have you selected certain properties over others?
The Love Essex team have calculated the average recycling collected per household (kg) per fortnight in Rochford between April and October 2024. The Tuesday and Thursday collections were selected as they emerged as average, comparable days in terms of recycling tonnage. If this campaign proves successful, other days may be selected for future projects.