Recycling contamination is causing councils a headache and is not only making the recycling process more challenging, but is costing a huge amount of money. Last year, 15% of the materials collected in north London were contaminated with non-recyclables like nappies, food, clothes, or black bags of rubbish. This meant 18,000 tonnes of household recycling had to go to waste. North London’s rejected recycling loads and associated costs is approximately GBP 2 million each year.

To help tackle this, ACR+ member North London Waste Authority (NLWA) launched an exhibition entitled “Thanks for Trying” in Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross. The project is curated by internationally acclaimed artist Mat Kemp whose experience in working with recycled and “found” artefacts has helped bring to life an array of the types of objects rejected from north London’s household recycling stream.

Source: www.nlwa.gov.uk