Binman urges households to avoid putting 1 item in recycling bins — or risk it not being collected

Binman urges households to avoid putting 1 item in recycling bins — or risk it not being collectedMillions of households could be making the same mistake with their recycling binsCommentsNewsJess Flaherty Senior News Reporter and Talya Honebeek Content Editor - Spare Time03:52, 20 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesIt's a common mistake to make(Image: lenscap67 via Getty Images)Being a refuse collector is no job for the faint-hearted, with gruelling early morning starts and relentless physical demands placed on workers, regardless of the weather, throughout the year. These workers keep our communities hygienic, tidy and clean.‌They collect and process household rubbish, wheeling bins towards large lorries where they are hoisted up and emptied. Once loaded into the vehicle, the waste is pushed forward before being compressed by a compactor blade to make room for additional rubbish. Now, one binman has revealed which everyday food item should never be placed in the food waste or recycling bin - and it's something countless households may be guilty of disposing of incorrectly.‌Refuse collectors also handle commercial and business waste, with dedicated rounds set aside for recycling.‌Ashley, who shares content online under the name The No1 Binman, currently works as a refuse collector and regularly posts videos offering a candid glimpse into the realities of the job, alongside practical advice on correct waste disposal.View 3 ImagesA binman has urged caution regarding a food item that often ends up in the wrong bin(Image: coldsnowstorm via Getty Images)He has amassed a following of more than 160,000 on TikTok. In a recent clip, he addressed a question about a commonly-used product - chewing gum, reports the Express.‌Speaking directly to the camera, Ashley explained: "What about chewing gum? Good question. Right, this one, it goes in your general waste, if you're chewing it, finished with it; it goes in the general waste bin."It is not biodegradable - that...