Observe before buying bins
For one day, note what piles up and where: packaging beside the worktop, paper on the desk, repairs in a cupboard. Put collection spots where the action already happens. A small visible bag emptied regularly may work better than a large bin far from the kitchen. Start with containers you already own.
Sketch the route from your worktop to each container. Shorten the most frequent route.
Check each uncertain item
ADEME’s tool lets you look up an item and options for repair, donation or collection. Search for the exact item, then check your local authority’s collection instructions. Do not decide solely from its material or a bin’s colour. Keep uncertain items separate, out of children’s reach.
Look up your five items and record a verified destination for each.
Close the loop every week
Create a temporary donation or drop-off spot with a departure date. Without a date it can become another storage cupboard. Check opening hours and acceptance conditions before travelling. After a week, move labels or containers if the same confusion recurs: improve the setup instead of relying on memory.
Schedule ten minutes to clear the temporary area.
Example: a box by the desk collects paper; a closed basket holds items to investigate; a list on the door records the next drop-off. These are organisational spots, not universal recycling rules.
A checked destination beats a guess.