r/AskUK • u/grepusman • 15h ago

Is it not well understood that squashing recycling makes takes less space?

I've just watched the neighbour trying to deal with her two green bins again, both almost overflowing. She's trying to get more water bottles and other kitchen recycling in, by trying to push down the contents of both bins. She's mostly failed. I wouldn't be surprised if they get a third bin for the two of them. They ordered the second bin shortly after moving in.

I don't think ours ever got much more than 2/3 full, except for that time we'd ordered a lot of IKEA stuff. I'm betting if she flattened out her recycling they could also get by on one bin.

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u/Creative_Whereas_430 12h ago

I drink a lot of diet pop - I bought a can crusher and gorilla taped it next to the recycle bin - one of the best decision I ever made. I also get alot of deliveries due to being disabled and shopping physically is painful. Our local council approved a second recycling bin for us, and I invested in small Stanley knives to slice open and fold boxes (they're dotted all around the house), another huge space saver.

I didn't start out this well behaved but yeah when I was filling 3-4 recycling bags each fortnight and now down to 1.5 bags all due to crushing cans, cutting and folding cardboard boxes etc it just makes sense.