Wheelie bin recycling 'rule' reminder as rain and thunder forecast across UK

Wheelie bin recycling 'rule' reminder as rain and thunder forecast across UK Some areas in England have a weather warning in place until Thursday With rain on the way for millions, homeowners are being reminded of a key recycling 'rule' to keep in mind as the weather changes. People are being given a heads-up to make sure their recycling isn't affected by the weather, otherwise it could stop their bin from being collected. The latest forecast from the Met Office includes predictions of rain and thunder for some after a period of warm and dry weather. Reports so far suggest that several counties in England and Wales could face 'heavy showers and thunderstorms'. There are two yellow warnings in place, as of 8.30am on August 26, spanning 59 areas across England and Wales between today, Wednesday, August 26, and tomorrow, August 27. To see the areas affected, click here. Because rain is forecast and can develop overnight, people are being reminded to keep waste recycling covered. Once it gets soaked, items like paper and cardboard cannot be recycled, and could lead to your entire bin being missed on collection day. Although it is not a blanket rule across the UK, most local authorities warn residents that their waste will be classed as 'contaminated'. Workers responsible for your collection will usually slap a sticker on the bin explaining what you did wrong. Some councils, like Wiltshire, state that wet products are banned from collections. The south-west council says: "We cannot recycle wet paper or cardboard. "We use screens to sort the card and paper from other materials, and wet fibre tends to fall apart during this process. Wet cardboard and paper also stick to other items and are more difficult to separate, and can cause blockages." Other areas that tell locals not to let their paper or cardboard get damp include areas like Harrow, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council. For specific rules where you live, look up your local authority recycling rules online. What can I do if I to prevent cardboard/paper from getting The simplest way to keep your loose recycling rubbish from getting wet in the rain is to ensure the lid is (and can stay) closed. If your bin often opens in bad weather, consider placing a heavy brick, stone, or patio slab on top of the lid on rainy or windy days. If people don't fancy setting an alarm to be up before the binmen, how you pack your bin helps too. Keep your paper and flattened boxes inside your garage, shed, porch, or hallway. Only put them out in the bin an hour or two before the collection truck arrives. If rain is forecast all evening or night, don't put your bin out and think there's nothing you can do. If you have a garage or covered space outside, store your bin under cover until collection morning comes. Many councils supply free clip-on plastic lids or weather-proof elasticated mesh nets for open-topped recycling boxes. Find out if your local authority offers this online.