Plastics recycling collections

This service is mainly for the collection of mixed household plastics.

To recycle these items, please put them in the blue lidded recycling bin. To make best use of the space available it is best to squash bottles.

The plastics collected will be recycled and made into products which can be used again (reprocessed).

Suitable items

To help you, the following is a guide to the types of items our contractor can accept for reprocessing:

• Plastic bottles - all types, please make sure they are completely empty
• Plastic food containers - such as yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, ice cream tubs
• Plastic food trays - often placed under meat or fruit (but not polystyrene food trays or the cling film that covers the tops of the trays)
• Plastic bags - carrier bags, bags from frozen food, bags from bread and similar items
• Cling film, plastic film, cellophane - often from food packaging
• Bubble wrap

All items should be clean and loose

Plastic bags and carrier bags

Our re-processor accepts any type of plastic bag. However, you may prefer to reuse your bags. They are ideal for pack lunches or lining the bins within your home. To reduce the number of bags you have, a ’bag for life’ is a good environmental alternative.

Unsuitable plastic items

There are limitations on the type of items due to the next stage in the processing of the plastics. The following are the most common unsuitable items:

• All types of black plastics
• Polystyrene
• Rigid/hard plastics - such as toys and coat hangers
• Electrical items
• Plant pots and trays
• Kitchen pots, pans and utensils
• Paint tins
• Plant pots and seed trays: re-use if possible, or you can take them to the recycling and Household Waste Sites (leicestershire.gov.uk)
• Video/cassette tapes, DVDs, CDs (charity shops may accept or local bring and buy sales)

The crews cannot empty bins containing unsuitable items. If in doubt, then please contact us to find out.

Why do items have to be clean?

This makes the storage of items better for residents, the recycling process cleaner and does not spoil the quality of other items.

When to recycle

All residents can take part in the fortnightly kerbside recycling collections by presenting their recycling bin at their property boundary on the day of the collection. If you are not sure of your collection day you can print or download the calendar for your street through our website or contact us for a paper copy to be posted out to you. 

Codes on packaging

Plastic items are often coded to show the type of plastic. This is usually a triangle with a number in the centre. Plastic recycling is limited and will depend on where you live in the country and the type of contract in place with the collection companies. Our advice to residents is to check our list of suitable items above for this particular area rather than use the information on the packaging.

Last updated: 26/06/2023 10:06