It comes as the city closes in on a Government target to recycle half of all household waste by 2015 - 2 years early.
And by reducing the amount of non-recyclable waste which is inadvertently put in recycling containers, bosses hope the amount of rubbish being incinerated can be reduced even further.
Councillor John Reynolds, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for City Services, said: "We're really pleased with the way that the people of Wolverhampton have embraced recycling.
"The amount of waste that's being recycled in Wolverhampton has more than doubled in the last 6 years - and we're on track to recycle more than half the city's waste this year, well ahead of the national target to do this by 2015.
"Of course, recycling so much material means that, very occasionally, items that cannot be recycled are finding their way into recycling bins. The problem is that, unless these items are spotted and removed, they can find their way into the recycling machines and cause major damage to the equipment.
"So, during Recycle Week, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind people what can and cannot be recycled in their black bin."
Among the items that can be put in black recycling bins in Wolverhampton are:
- paper, newspapers and magazines
- food and drink cans
- foil packaging and aerosols
- glass bottles and jars
- cardboard packaging and corrugated cardboard
- plastic bottles
- plastic packaging such as food trays, yoghurt pots and margarine tubs
- cartons such as Tetra Paks
However, a number of items are often mistakenly put in the black bin. These include:
- bags or thin plastics such as bags, bread bags or cling film - these should be put in the brown bin
- electrical items and hard or bulky plastics like children's toys and garden furniture - please take these to the recycling centres at either Shaw Road, Bushbury, or Anchor Lane, Lanesfield
- textiles, clothing or shoes - please take these to a recycling centre or donate these to charity
- food - please put this in the food caddy
- nappies, polystyrene, crisp packets and sweet wrappers - these should all be put in the brown bin
Councillor Reynolds said: "Our recycling crews have to check that the contents of the black, green and food waste bins don't include things that can't be recycled so they don't hamper the recycling process, which can damage machinery and push up costs to taxpayers.
"We're really grateful for the co-operation of the vast majority of residents in helping Wolverhampton recycle more and reduce the need for incineration. If any resident is unsure what waste goes where, they are most welcome to call our contact centre on 01902 551155 or visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/recycling.
released: Thursday 20 June, 2013