Plastic recycling

Clean plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays and tubes (for example, toothpaste) can be recycled from home.

We can't accept any other plastics for recycling but plastic carrier bags and packaging films bearing the 'recycle with carrier bags at larger stores' logo can be recycled at most supermarkets. Find supermarkets near you with soft plastic recycling points.

What to recycle

Please rinse and squash plastic bottles before recycling them. This saves room in your recycling box and on the collection lorries. Screwing tops back on afterwards will stop them from returning to their original shape.

What you can recycle from home

Check what plastics you can recycle from home:

• Black recycling boxes - if you live in a house, maisonette or flat in converted house
• Mixed container bins - if you live in a purpose-built flat

What you can't recycle from home

You can't recycle:

• Plastic bottles that have contained white spirits, paints, engine oils or antifreeze
• Plastic carrier bags or packaging films 
• Crisp packets or sweet wrappers
• Shrink or bubble wrap
• Plastic toys
• Polystyrene/styrofoam trays, beads or packaging
• CDs/DVDs or cases
• Cable ties
• Plastic cups or coffee pods

Find out more

Get tips on using less plastic.

This Recycle Now video shows what happens to plastics that have been recycled.

For further information about plastic recycling, see the Recycle Now website.