Binman names the everyday item that should never go in recycling bins

Working as a refuse collector is certainly not a role for the faint-hearted, with gruelling early morning starts and relentless physical demands placed on staff, regardless of the weather, throughout the year. These essential workers ensure our communities remain hygienic, tidy and clean.

They collect and process household rubbish, wheeling bins towards large lorries where they are hoisted up and emptied out. Once loaded into the vehicle, the waste is dragged forward before being compressed by a compactor blade to create space for additional rubbish. Now, one binman has revealed which common 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 separate rounds dedicated to recycling.

Ashley, who shares content online as The No1 Binman, currently works as a refuse collector and regularly posts videos offering an insight into the realities of the role, alongside practical guidance on proper waste disposal.

He has amassed a following of more than 160,000 on TikTok. In a recent video, he addressed a query about a commonly-used item – chewing gum.

Speaking 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’s why you do not put it in your food waste or your compost bin. It goes in your general waste because it can’t break down and go into the soil or whatever they make the food waste into.”

He then turned his attention to chewing gum wrappers, which many households incorrectly dispose of in their recycling bins.

Ashley continued: “The wrapper for chewing gum, another good one, which would be, because it’s a combination of paper and aluminium. Because of the combination, it doesn’t go in either the recycling bin. It would have to go in your general waste bin.”

Council websites outline which materials are recyclable and provide comprehensive lists of accepted products.

For paper materials, there are specific requirements: “Paper, magazines, newspapers, junk mail, catalogues, phone directories and wrapping paper which is not plastic or metallic.”

Plastic or metallic coverings typically found on chewing gum packets should be thrown away with ordinary household rubbish. Placing unsuitable materials in your recycling bin may result in your waste being left uncollected.

The refuse worker added: “If you don’t believe me, get on your council website. They normally have an A-Z list on there. Have a little search up, it will say on there, and it should say, on most council websites, it [chewing gum] will go in your general waste bin.” Local council websites offer thorough advice on the correct ways to dispose of a wide range of materials.