You can recycle plastic in several ways depending on the type of plastic and your location:
- Plastic bags and wrapping : These can be recycled at some out-of-home recycling points, including selected supermarket collection points. Accepted items include plastic carrier bags, bread bags, cereal liners, delivery bags, frozen food bags, magazine wrappers, and more. Items should be clean and free of food residue. Compostable or biodegradable bags should not be recycled but composted at home if possible
- Plastic bottles, pots, tubs, and trays : Most local authorities in the UK offer kerbside recycling schemes for plastic bottles, and many also accept pots, tubs, and trays. These can also be taken to recycling sites and some supermarkets. Examples include milk bottles, shampoo bottles, food trays, and tubs. Bottles should be emptied, rinsed, and lids replaced before recycling
- Store drop-off programs (US) : In the United States, plastic bags, wraps, and films are often not accepted curbside but can be recycled through store drop-off programs at participating retailers. These programs accept polyethylene-based flexible plastics like grocery bags, bread bags, and plastic mailers, provided they are clean and dry
- Specialized recycling centers : For other plastic items like plastic garden furniture, toys, or electrical items, you can donate, sell, or take them to local household waste and recycling centers. Some companies also offer pick-up services for plastic recycling, such as Stoepsel Sammeln in Austria
- Finding local recycling points : You can use online recycling locators by entering your postcode to find the nearest places to recycle specific plastic items, including supermarkets and municipal depots
In summary, to recycle plastic effectively:
- Use your local kerbside recycling for bottles, pots, tubs, and trays.
- Take plastic bags and films to designated supermarket collection points.
- Use store drop-off bins for flexible plastics where available (especially in the US).
- Check local recycling centers for other plastic items.
- Always ensure plastics are clean and free of food residue before recycling
