What’s on

lifestyle REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

IN A BID TO REDUCE HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND TO BE MORE MINDFUL OF THE ITEMS WE ARE BUYING, FRANCE IS GUIDING ITS INHABITANTS TO LEAD A CLEANER AND GREENER LIFESTYLE. ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN TO THEIR LOCAL DÉCHETTERIE WILL KNOW THAT FRANCE TAKES ITS RECYCLING SERIOUSLY (WOE BETIDE ANYONE WHO PLACES AN ITEM IN THE WRONG SKIP!)

YELLOW RECYCLING BIN

Pretty much all packaging can go in here. Plastic bottles and containers (you can leave the lids on), plus all other plastic packaging and wrapping. No need to wash out. Goes straight into the bin (no bag). Cardboard boxes (if bigger than a shoebox size, break them into smaller pieces) newspapers, magazines, envelopes. Don’t insert items into other items.

BLACK RECYCLING BIN

Balloons, lighters, scouring sponges, plastic toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, disposable razors, cigarette butts, netting from fruit and vegetables. Consider not buying them in the first place. There are much greener alternatives available.

COMPOST

Peelings and leftover fruit and vegetables, bread, crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, filters, tea bags. Leaves, prunings, grass clippings, small branches (cut if necessary), paper towels soiled by food waste. Also tissues, paper tablecloths and paper napkins. Mix dry (newspaper, dry leaves) with wet waste (peelings, coffee grounds, etc.). Turnover so it’s aerated, this way the degradation of the waste will be faster, The heap should remain slightly damp. If necessary, water it (rainwater). If it’s in a compost bin, simply open the lid when it rains.

GREEN/GLASS RECYCLING BIN

Glass bottles, jars etc. all go to your communal bottle bank. If they are broken, you need to take them to the déchetterie. Yellow Bins

▪ These should be your main waste disposal ▪ Place items directly into the yellow-lidded bin ▪ No need to wash (but you probably want to give items a good rinse to keep your recycling bin clean) ▪ Don’t put smaller items into a bigger one (e.g., don’t cram tins into cereal boxes) ▪ No need to crush items. If you do crush them, make sure that items aren’t rammed in the bin - they must be able to fall out of the bin with ease, otherwise additional costs could be incurred Black Bins

▪ Many areas now just have one collection every 2 weeks. Your local waste disposal contract may allow you up to 12 collections a year, after that you could be charge (you need to check with your relevant provider). ▪ Black bins need to have the rubbish disposed in bags (no longer provided) ▪ Don’t squash the bin bags in, if the rubbish doesn’t come out freely on the automated lorry lift, this could result in being charged for an additional collection ▪ Make sure you can close the bin, otherwise it could be counted as 2 collections

All details given as a guide only, check with your local provider