What happens to my recycling?

After the recycling crew collect your recycling bin, it is taken to the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Costessey to be sorted into individual material groups. This involves some hand sorting and mechanical sorting to separate the recyclable materials. 

All recyclable items are sorted and separated by their unique characteristics, such as shape, size, weight and material type. To allow the items to be sorted effectively, only recyclable materials should be placed in the recycling bin and they must be:

• clean – please rinse containers and do not put in any food leftovers
• loose – please do not bag anything in plastic bags or black bin liners
• dry – please ensure the bin lid remains shut.

After the material has been sorted into different groups, it goes to reprocessors who will use the following processes to create new products.

Find out more about what happens to your recycling on the Norfolk Recycles website, and take a virtual tour of the MRF.