Name one bin, the collector, and the document that says what that collector accepts. If you looked in the bin and nothing was in it, the inspection result is empty: item, rule, cause and action stay blank. That empty result is not an accepted item and it is not a contamination rate. If items were seen, mark each one accepted, not accepted, or not stated, using that document. A bin whose recorded items are all accepted is a finished clean inspection.

This is one bin on one date. It is not a household recycling answer and not a count of how contaminated the workplace is. If you need kilograms, use the seven-day starter waste log. This inspection does not weigh the bin.

Fill in the inspection log

Download all three files. Save a copy of the blank log and type into that copy. Keep the instructions file open beside it. Use the example only as a labelled pattern.

The three files are plain CSV templates. You type every cell. The spreadsheet does not decide whether an item is accepted and it does not calculate a percentage. Mark an item accepted only when the collector’s own document says so. If the bin was empty, record an empty inspection and do not invent an item. The instructions file lists every column.

inspection_result is empty or items_recorded. record_type is inspection or item. An empty inspection is one inspection row. Leave item_seen, collector_rule, rule_quote, likely_cause and action blank. Item rows exist only when inspection_result is items_recorded. On an item row, collector_rule is accepted, not_accepted or not_stated. There is no percentage and no pass mark.

Write the collector’s rule first

rule_document is the collector’s acceptance sheet, contract schedule, or a written reply from that collector. rule_location says where on that document the item is covered. rule_quote is a short copy of that line, or “not mentioned” when the document is silent.

Defra’s workplace recycling guidance for England, last updated 3 October 2025, defines recycling contamination as the wrong items in a recycling bin, and also as recyclable waste that is not clean enough, for example food or liquid residue in plastic or cardboard. Its lists of items not typically collected, including compostable packaging with food waste, are examples and not complete lists. Those examples may help you know what to ask. They do not fill collector_rule. A household council page does not fill it either.

Causes and actions

Only a not_accepted row gets a likely cause, and it needs one corrective action. A not_stated row leaves the cause blank and records an action to ask the collector. sign_missing means the station has no sign that states this rule. no_residual_bin means there is nowhere else at that station for the item. item_not_on_sign means a sign exists but omits the line. unknown means you can see the item and the rule but cannot tell why it was deposited.

The action is one change: add the collector’s line to the sign, ask for a residual bin, or ask the collector. Do not require three problems. An accepted item leaves cause and action blank. A bin whose item rows are all accepted is a finished clean inspection.

Worked example: empty, clean and mixed bins

The example is a fictional inspection for Northgate Studio on 9 March 2026. The collector is Fictional Collections Ltd. The acceptance sheets are invented and are not a collector’s real list.

Bin What was recorded Rule What it is
P1, print corner Looked in. inspection_result empty. Item, rule, cause and action blank. Named sheet, no item row An empty inspection. Not an accepted item and not a contamination result.
M1, meeting room Office paper accepted from the fictional dry-recycling sheet. Cause and action blank. A non-empty clean inspection, because every item row is accepted.
F1, kitchen Tea bag accepted from the fictional food sheet. Cause and action blank. An accepted item.
F1, kitchen Compostable cup not_accepted. The fictional sheet says compostable packaging is refused. Cause sign_missing. One action: add that refused line to the kitchen sign. Follow-up 16 March 2026. Office coordinator.
F1, kitchen Plastic bottle not_stated. Rule quote "not mentioned". Cause blank. Ask the collector. This row is not called contamination.

Limits of one inspection

One bin on one date does not describe the workplace. An empty bin shows only that nothing was in it at the inspection.

Defra says that significant contamination identified before collection should be disposed of as general waste, and that you can discuss it with the collector. Collectors typically have clauses allowing them to refuse a load or charge more. This log does not decide whether a load is significant, and it does not predict a charge. The page applies to England. The waste-reduction guide holds the prevention workflow and the England summary. If the chosen action is to move a bin or rewrite a sign, plan bin locations and staff instructions.

Do not copy a household recycling list into this log. These rows are not a contamination percentage and not a public claim that the workplace is free of contamination. Check a public claim against the green claims code.

Sources

Accessed 8 October 2026.

  • Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England, Defra, last updated 3 October 2025. The contamination definition, the advice to discuss contamination with the collector, the significant-contamination paragraph, and the statement that the lists of items not typically collected are examples and not complete lists. The page says it applies to England.