Half the rubbish from Cornwall's homes could have been recycled or disposed of as food waste, a recent study has shown.
According to Cornwall Council, recycling has increased in the county by about 20% since weekly food waste and fortnightly recycling and rubbish collections were introduced across the county in 2024.
But recent analysis of rubbish from 500 homes across the county found many were still putting items like food, batteries, vapes, paper and glass in the bin.
Councillor Loic Rich, cabinet member with responsibility for Environment and Climate Change at Cornwall Council, said people in the county were recycling "more than ever before" but stressed there was "more work to be done".
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The study, which took place in July 2025 and November 2025, revealed that about a quarter of household rubbish consisted of food and almost half of that food was still in the packaging.
Plastics and metal, paper and card, textiles and glass made up 17%.
Batteries, vapes and other small electrical items were also found in among the rubbish.
Cornwall Council is now urging everyone to think twice before putting things in the bin.
Rich said it was "quite shocking" that so much food, "especially food that has never been opened" is being put in the bin.
"It's also worrying to see things like batteries and vapes being put out with rubbish," he added.
"These can cause explosions when crushed in the collection lorries so please think about the crews' safety and recycle batteries and vapes responsibly."
To check which items in Cornwall can be recycled can view the council's A-Z recycling section, external on its website.
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