More and more South Africans are becoming so concerned about the swamps of waste polluting the country that they are fortifying their kitchens with not just one - but a barrage of bins.

Yet, say some of South Africa's foremost recycling experts, many of these well-meaning ecophiles have no idea just how much of their separated waste ends up on landfill as a result of incorrectly managed home-recycling systems.

You have to make sure you recycle clean stuff, or only send recycling companies materials that they can use. Otherwise you're just diverting waste to landfill by another means.

Frozen-food boxes are one of the most common items in any household fridge and look just like paper. But this kind of packaging, says Sholto-Douglas, is wasted on the paper bin...