![]() ![]() ![]() Staff told the reporter that items put in the bin were incinerated. Only one team leader warned that it could be a “waste” of recyclable material, and several employees said that staff needed to be careful because of the “cameras”. The reporter saw four employees throwing unopened bags containing recycling in the bins at such speed it appears unlikely they were able to check the contents. One woman told the reporter to “grab” items “like a raccoon”– an instruction which was accompanied by her miming how to use two hands to take items quickly from the line – and an undercover reporter working for The Telegraph and Unearthed saw at least six members of staff put recyclable items, including plastic bottles and paper, in the bins. Workers were instructed to stop the “line” if they saw a rodent in case it became caught in the machine, but few bothered. Rats and cockroaches were seen on the conveyor belt and changing rooms, as well as downstairs where staff had to sweep among the bales of plastic or paper that were waiting to be transported. Staff were issued with protective clothing, but conditions in the warehouse were tough. Plastic bags, recycling bags or light plastic were to be sent into the “chute” that stood above their heads and sucked up the materials, while electrical and larger items were to be taken to a “skip” where they would be processed. Both organisations say that 99 per cent of the recyclable waste they are sent is ultimately recycled – a cheering figure for the hundreds of thousands of residents who live in these areas. The Western Riverside Waste Authority's (WRWA) materials recovery facility in south London is operated by a company called Cory. The comments may come as a surprise to residents who believe their waste is being recycled and are likely to prompt questions about what more households can do. When the undercover reporter asked what happened to the items put in the bins, they were told: “If it goes to the bin? Well then it goes to the incinerator.” Tasked with removing 35 pieces of rubbish a minute from the line, it was sometimes hard for staff to keep up, and it appeared several workers may have felt pressured to “grab” any items – including plastic bottles, cardboard and unopened sacks containing recycling – and discard them in the bins. It was only May, but the smell from the bags of rubbish was strong as the food inside started to rot in the warmth.īlack bin liners, nappies, food – all items which could contaminate a batch of otherwise recyclable waste – needed to be separated from the recycling and put in the bins marked “general waste”. Standing in a sweltering factory, the men and women wiped sweat from their foreheads as they leant towards the conveyor belt to pull off waste. ![]()
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