More than 30% of what’s put in Auckland’s recycling bins ends up in landfill because it’s contaminated or can’t be recycled in the first place. That’s costing ratepayers $3.5 million a year and preventing valuable materials from being turned into new products.

As part of Auckland Council’s Let’s sort it out campaign, here’s a closer look at some of the biggest and yuckiest recycling offenders.

1. Rotten food and other food scraps

Food waste can quickly spread through a recycling load and contaminate materials so they may no longer be suitable for recycling.

2. Nappies

Nappies create hygiene issues, contaminate other materials and can turn a load of recycling into waste.

3. Unwashed bottles

Leftover liquids can leak during collection and sorting, and soak into paper and cardboard, turning good recycling into waste.

4. Garden waste The truly unexpected

Grass clippings, weeds and garden trimmings can interfere with sorting operations.

5. The truly unexpected

Last year, a kitten was rescued from a recycling load: recycling bins sometimes contain things that should never have been put there in the first place.

Check out the Auckland Council website for what you can and cannot put in your recycling.

Image: Auckland Council