A cartoon of some VHS tapes, some letters, a box of clothes and a question mark with the text "Spring clean quiz: where does it go?"

Test your knowledge: spring cleaning quiz

With the weather taking a turn for the better, you may be thinking about doing a spring cleanout. Perhaps the kids have outgrown the old Disney VHS tapes, or maybe it’s time to admit that patterned jumper you bought in 1983 isn’t going to come back into style!

No matter what you’re getting rid of this year, it’s important that you think carefully about what you do with it. It’s all too easy to throw away something that seems like junk to you, but disposing of it the wrong way creates unnecessary waste and can even contaminate other recyclable or reusable materials.

Do you know what goes where?

We’ve picked out three items that often feature in spring cleanouts, but that usually trip people up when it comes to waste and recycling. We often see these things being put in the wrong bin or taken to the wrong place.

Take the quiz below to see if you know what goes where. If you need a hint – or want to check other items that are part of your spring cleanout – make sure you have a look at our recycling a-z.

WHERE DOES IT GO?

What can you do with old clothes?

Question one answers
That’s right! Clothes can be taken to our reuse and recycling centres. You can (and should!) recycle old clothes, but they can’t go into your council recycling bin. If the clothes are in good condition your first choice should be a charity shop, or you could even make a few quid selling them online. Otherwise you’ll need to take them to one of our reuse and recycling centres – textiles can’t go into your bins at home. Head to our website to find your closest centre. 
That’s incorrect. Clothes can be taken to our reuse and recycling centres. You can (and should!) recycle old clothes, but they can’t go into your council recycling bin. If the clothes are in good condition your first choice should be a charity shop, or you could even make a few quid selling them online. Otherwise you’ll need to take them to one of our reuse and recycling centres – textiles can’t go into your bins at home. Head to our website to find your closest centre. 
That’s incorrect. Clothes can be taken to our reuse and recycling centres. You can (and should!) recycle old clothes, but they can’t go into your council recycling bin. If the clothes are in good condition your first choice should be a charity shop, or you could even make a few quid selling them online. Otherwise you’ll need to take them to one of our reuse and recycling centres – textiles can’t go into your bins at home. Head to our website to find your closest centre. 


Where can you get rid of envelopes with plastic windows?

Question two answers
That’s right! If you’re clearing out old letters and junk mail, you can put them straight into your recycling bin at home. Just make sure they don’t have any dirt, food or paint on them, and double check no personal information is visible (you can tear them up if you need to).
 
That’s incorrect. If you’re clearing out old letters and junk mail, you can put them straight into your recycling bin at home. Just make sure they don’t have any dirt, food or paint on them, and double check no personal information is visible (you can tear them up if you need to).
 
That’s incorrect. If you’re clearing out old letters and junk mail, you can put them straight into your recycling bin at home. Just make sure they don’t have any dirt, food or paint on them, and double check no personal information is visible (you can tear them up if you need to).
 

Where can you dispose of old VHS tapes?

Question three answers
That’s right! VHS tapes go in the general waste bin. It’s important that VHS tapes don’t go in your recycling bin, as the metal tape inside can get stuck in our machinery.  A charity shop may take a VHS tape, but otherwise it will need to go into your general waste bin.  
 
That’s incorrect. VHS tapes go in the general waste bin. It’s important that VHS tapes don’t go in your recycling bin, as the metal tape inside can get stuck in our machinery.  A charity shop may take a VHS tape, but otherwise it will need to go into your general waste bin.  
 
That’s incorrect. VHS tapes go in the general waste bin. It’s important that VHS tapes don’t go in your recycling bin, as the metal tape inside can get stuck in our machinery.  A charity shop may take a VHS tape, but otherwise it will need to go into your general waste bin.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published
24 May 2023