What happens to the materials collected for recycling?
All the recyclable material collected in Tower Hamlets is sent to be turned into new products. For example: • Glass bottles and jars are turned into building sand, insulation or lightweight construction aggregate. • Plastic bottles and the pink recycling sacks can be processed into a variety of new plastic products such as garden equipment, car parts or even fleece clothing! • Paper, cardboard and cartons are turned into pulp and made into different paper products such as newspapers, books, magazines, animal bedding and jiffy bags. It could even be made into road surfaces or loft insulation! • Food and drink cans are recycled into a variety of new metal products including new cans or parts for cars, bicycles or planes. • Electrical items collected from Northumberland Wharf Reuse and Recycling centres are broken down into metal, plastic and glass ready for recycling. Since items are made of a variety of material there is usually a small proportion, around 10%, of material that cannot be
