What is dry mixed recycling?

Dry mixed recycling, or DMR, is clean, dry recyclable material collected together in one bin or sack and sorted later at a materials recovery facility. It means you do not separate paper from plastic from cans on site. In a typical business DMR bin: cardboard and paper, plastic bottles and tubs, drinks cans, food tins, foil and clean trays. Food, liquids, soft plastic film, polystyrene and anything dirty go in general waste, because one greasy pizza box can contaminate the load. Glass is not part of DMR: it breaks, cuts the sorters and spoils the paper, so it needs its own bin. Most London businesses run a DMR bin or sack next to their general waste.