Residents in Folkestone, Kent, are successfully changing how they sort their waste as part of a county-wide effort to improve recycling quality. The shift follows a campaign launched by Kent County Council to ensure materials like bottles and cartons are emptied and dried before being placed in collection bins.
The Shake It Out initiative began in the winter of 2025-2026 to stop people from putting recyclables into plastic bags. These bags often get stuck in sorting machines and lead to large amounts of waste being rejected because they cannot be easily opened or processed.
Last year, around 4,000 tonnes of recycling across the county could not be used because of contamination from liquids or incorrect materials. This resulted in approximately £400,000 in extra disposal costs that could have been avoided if items were kept clean, dry, and loose in the bins.
Paul King, the council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Special Projects, said the goal is to make the process clearer and more worthwhile for everyone. He explained that by shaking out items and keeping them dry, the community can waste less and keep the recycling system running smoothly.
As of 19 March 2026, the council reports that the campaign is gaining momentum as more households adopt these simpler sorting methods. These changes are helping the region prepare for upcoming national standards for managing household waste while protecting the local environment.
