Danielle Kate Wroe

A refuse collector named Ashley advises UK residents not to place plastic clothes hangers in recycling bins because they are made from hard plastic that differs from the materials used in bottles and containers. Working hangers can be donated or refused at the checkout, while broken plastic or wooden hangers should go in general waste or, depending on local rules, to a recycling centre. The article also explains Birmingham’s blue-lidded mixed-recycling system, grey-lidded general-waste bins and newer green-lidded paper-and-card bins.

An American living in the UK describes confusion during a crowded Birmingham-to-London train journey when an older man repeatedly looked at him instead of taking the empty seat next to him. Commenters suggested the man wanted to sit with his wife and expected an offered seat, reflecting traditional British etiquette. Reactions highlighted differences between American and British norms around politeness and seat-offering, with some noting these customs are fading while others emphasised that offering seats to elderly passengers remains considered good manners.