Hillingdon trials new bin lids to tackle recycling contamination

The London Borough of Hillingdon is trialling a simple change to recycling bins to see whether it can help reduce contamination and improve recycling quality.

With funding from Biffa, Hillingdon has converted 500 standard recycling bins to include reverse aperture lids, with contractor STORM carrying out the changes over a four-week period.

A reverse aperture lid restricts the size and shape of the opening in a recycling bin. This makes it more difficult to put larger, unsuitable items into the bin, helping encourage people to use it for the right recyclable materials.

The trial has focused on one of Hillingdon’s poorest-performing recycling rounds, with bins changed across Monday and Tuesday collections and some on Wednesday.

Measuring the difference

Before the trial began, Hillingdon monitored the collection round and carried out a waste composition analysis to understand existing contamination levels.

Further monitoring is now planned, including going out with the collection driver to see first-hand how the new lids are working. Another waste composition analysis will follow in the new year.

Comparing the results will help Hillingdon understand whether the new lids have reduced contamination and provide useful evidence about the impact relatively simple changes can have on recycling quality.