Glass recycling collections in Charlbury

Tue 25 Aug, 13:56

I suspect this may have to do with the new 2026 Simpler Recycling rules. The new rules were formulated in 2024, but are now in force in England, although there seems to be some leeway about when all aspects will be implemented. 

The new rules state: Waste collectors must by default collect the following types of waste separately from households: -- food and garden waste; -- paper and card; -- all other dry recyclable materials (glass, metal and plastic, including cartons); -- residual waste (non-recyclable waste that is sent for energy recovery or to landfill).

More details of the "Simpler" rules here. And elsewhere I have read that from March 31st 2026, "drinking glasses, vases, glass cookware, and many candle jars cannot go in your kerbside recycling as they can contaminate the process. These items were often excluded before, but now the rules are standardised nationwide." See here. 

Given that glass needs a quite separate form of recycling, I don't really understand the logic of the new rules. But I suggest Helen asks UBICO and/or one of our WODC Councillors whether the proposal is to phase out black box glass collections, and why we haven't been told about the new rules. Personally, I think it safer to keep glass separate, in order to prevent unintentional breakages in the blue bin. It also makes it easier for the UBICO operatives to spot glasses etc. I do now realise that some of these have been rejected in recent months, but thought it was perhaps because they were deemed cracked or broken.

The UBICO website is here. They say they welcome enquiries.

Tue 25 Aug, 13:32

This has been going on for ages, I now don't bother with the black bin and put all my glass in the blue bin!

Tue 25 Aug, 12:24 (last edited on Tue 25 Aug, 12:24)

Claire is likely correct. A local H&S decision, probably. Other locations (e.g., Norwich where we visit) just bung the glass into the general recycling. I think they may use the bin because it may be more efficient to have one operative go ahead collecting the glass for a single throw into the lorry.

Tue 25 Aug, 09:45

I think the separation of glass is for health and safety rather than recycling reasons, though I’m not sure why if the staff stick it in the wheelie bins. 

Tue 25 Aug, 08:58

Every week I diligently offer up my black recycling box of separated glass items and, until recently, I hadn't taken much interest in what actually happens when the recycling trucks come round (I used to be asleep). However, I've now seen that, for the last few weeks at least, one of the recycling team walks around tipping the black boxes of glass into the blue wheely bins, which are then tipped wholesale into the back of the truck. Is that normal practice? And if so, why? And why are we still expected to separate the glass? And what happens to all the mixed recycling? And how long has this been going on for? All these questions and more ...