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Plastics recycling

There are lots of plastics you can recycle.

Plastics you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin

Please make sure all of your plastics are clean and empty before putting them into your mixed recycling bin.

Washing products
  • Washing-up liquid bottles
  • Fabric softener bottles
Food trays and containers
  • Yoghurt pots, food 'pots/tubs' for soup, noodles and cakes
  • Meat trays
  • Margarine tubs
  • Ready-meal containers
  • Punnet-style containers that hold fruit / vegetables, such as mushrooms or grapes
Health and beauty
  • Hair gel containers
  • Facial or body cream pots
  • Shampoo and Conditioner bottles
  • Sun cream bottles
Bottles
  • Milk bottles
  • Squash bottles
  • Water bottles
Cleaning Products
  • Tubs for cleaning products, such as stain remover and detergent
  • Detergent bottles
  • Cleaning fluid bottles
  • Bleach bottles
Garden and garage
  • Fertiliser and lawn care bottles
  • Pesticide and pest care bottles
  • Weed killer bottles


Don't forget to also recycle cardboard, cartons, glass, cans, aerosols and clean foil.

Plastics that cannot be recycled - please put them in your purple bin

Plastic carrier bagsPlastic bread bags
Bubble wrapPlastic bags from breakfast cereals
ClingfilmPlastic wrappers from multipacks of cans and plastic bottles
Crisp packetsPlastic wrappers from toilet roll and kitchen towel
Food and drink pouchesPlastic freezer bags
Film lids from food traysPlastic magazine (home delivery) and newspaper wrap
Any non-Polyethylene film (e.g. PP, PVC, others)Plant pots (greater than 9cm in diameter)
BucketsPaint tins
ToysLipstick
Pressed powder containersToothpaste tubes

Plastic carrier bags

Please do NOT put plastic carrier bags into your mixed recycling bin. Most local supermarkets offer plastic bag recycling facilities.

Why not?

Putting these types of plastics in the recycling can cause problems with the machinery at the recycling centre. This might mean that all the recycling can’t be recycled and will end up in landfill.

Plastics you can recycle at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre

Hard plastics from the home and garden
Plastic toys

For more information on locations and opening times of your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre, visit www.wasteaware.org.uk.

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