Now, aluminium foil, foil trays, metal or foil-lined tubes (such as tomato purée tubes), and plastic tubes – including toothpaste and cosmetic tubes – can all be placed in household recycling.

The change makes it easier for residents to recycle common household items that may previously have been thrown away.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Environment, Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst, said: 

“We know residents are keen to recycle as much as possible, and this update makes it easier to do just that. By adding items like foil and tubes to our collections, we’re helping people recycle more of what they use every day.

“Small changes at home can make a big difference, and we’d encourage everyone to take advantage of the expanded service.”

Recycling plays a vital role in protecting the environment. It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill, cuts the need for extracting and processing raw materials, and helps save energy.

By recycling more, we can lower greenhouse gas emissions and help tackle climate change, while making better use of the world’s limited natural resources.

Across the UK, recycling already prevents millions of tonnes of carbon emissions every year – but there is still more we can all do.

To help ensure items can be successfully recycled, residents are asked to follow a few simple steps:

• Make sure items are clean and dry – a quick rinse is enough
• Squeeze out any remaining product from tubes
• Leave lids and caps on tubes before recycling
• Place recycling loose in the bin, not in plastic bags

For aluminium foil, residents can also scrunch smaller pieces into a ball to make them easier to process.

The Council is also urging residents to Be Clued Up about recycling and understand what items they can put in their recycling bin. Find out more on the Council’s website.