Recycle, reduce and reuse

There are various places where you can recycle hard plastics, as well as soft plastics such as film.

Plastic bottles

Recycle plastic bottles in your recycling bin. 

Remove lids, wash and squash bottles, to reduce odours, and increase the load collected.

Plastic carrier bags

You can recycle carrier bags at your local supermarket.

Try to use reusable carrier bags and always carry a few to reduce the need to take more. May also be used as bin liners for your food waste caddy.

Plastic cups

Plastic types 1 (PET/PETE), 2 (HDPE/PE-HD) and 4 (LDPE/PE-LD ) can be placed in your recycling bin. These numbers can be found on a triangle on the cup.

Avoid using plastic cups by using glasses instead.

Plastic trays

Plastic types 1 (PET/PETE), 2 (HDPE/PE-HD) and 4 (LDPE/PE-LD ) can be placed in your recycling bin. These numbers can be found on a triangle on the tray.

Try to buy loose fruit and vegetables, and meat and fish from the butcher or fishmonger to avoid buying over packaged food.

Plastic wraps and films

Large supermarkets now provide collection containers for a wide range of plastic packaging, including bags and film from pasta, dried fruit, paper products, salad, fruit and vegetable products.

Plastic yoghurt pots

Some yoghurt pots may have thin plastic strengthened with cardboard. The cardboard can go in your recycling bin.

You can recycle yoghurt pots in your recycling bin. Give them a quick rinse, as leftover food can ruin other recycling.

Consider reusing when possible, such as for plant pots or school projects.

Bubblewrap

Bubblewrap cannot be recycle in your recycling bin but you can recycle it with plastic bags at supermarkets collection points.

You can also use bubblewrap to protect plants from frost.