Recycling Plastic Bags: Cheltenham's Guide

can you recycle plastic bags in cheltenham

Cheltenham Borough Council has introduced a trial service to make recycling plastic bags and wrapping easier for its residents. The trial began in October 2022 and will run until March 2025. Previously, plastic bags could not be recycled through the council's kerbside recycling collection services, but now, residents can place their plastic bags and wrapping into the collection bags provided by the council. This includes carrier bags, salad/fruit/vegetable bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, cereal bags, and flower bags. The bags should be placed in existing recycling boxes and tied securely in a double knot.

Characteristics Values
Plastic bag recycling availability Trial service available for a small number of households
Types of plastic bags accepted All plastic bags, including carrier bags, salad/fruit/vegetable bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, cereal bags, flower bags
Other accepted materials Confectionery wrappers, foil-lined packaging, plastic film and sleeves, pouches, sachets, and packets
Collection process Place plastic bags and wrapping into collection bags provided by Cheltenham Borough Council; tie securely in a double knot and place in existing recycling boxes
Kerbside recycling Not accepted through kerbside recycling collection services; trial service provides kerbside collection
Alternative options Some local supermarkets have in-store recycling collection points
Additional information Shredded paper must be placed in an envelope or paper bag and included in the recycling box; textiles must be dry and placed in a tied carrier bag

shunpoly

Plastic bags can be recycled at some local supermarkets

In Cheltenham, plastic bags cannot be recycled through the kerbside recycling collection services. However, some local supermarkets have in-store recycling collection points for plastic bags. You can check with your local supermarket to see if they recycle plastic bags.

Cheltenham Borough Council has introduced a trial service to make recycling plastic bags and wrapping easier for residents. This service is currently available to a small number of households, but it will gradually expand to all households in Cheltenham if the trial is successful. The council accepts all types of plastic bags and wrapping, including carrier bags, salad/fruit/vegetable bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, and cereal bags.

During the trial, residents can place their plastic bags and wrapping into the collection bags provided by the council. These collection bags should be securely tied in a double knot and placed inside existing recycling boxes. It is important to note that plastic bags and wrapping should not be placed loose with other recycling items.

The council also provides additional recycling boxes, bags, and food waste caddies to residents upon request. A delivery charge may apply for these extra items. Residents can contact customer services or visit the council's website for more information.

shunpoly

Plastic bags cannot be recycled through kerbside collection services

Cheltenham Borough Council has provided a comprehensive kerbside recycling collection service to its residents since 2011. The service was further improved in October 2017 to include the recycling of plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, aluminium and steel cans, glass, cardboard, paper, small electrical items, batteries, and textiles. However, plastic bags cannot be recycled through this kerbside collection service.

The council has introduced a trial service specifically for recycling plastic bags and wrapping, which is currently available to a limited number of households. This trial began in October 2022 and will continue until March 2025. The goal is to make it easier for Cheltenham residents to recycle plastic bags and wrapping from their homes. The trial will be expanded to include all households in Cheltenham if it is successful.

During the trial, residents participating in the selected areas can use the kerbside service to recycle plastic bags and wrapping. All types of plastic bags, such as carrier bags, salad/fruit/vegetable bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, cereal bags, and flower bags, are accepted as long as they fit inside the collection bag. It is important to note that plastic bags should not be placed loose with other recyclables. Instead, they should be placed inside the collection bag provided by the council and securely tied with a double knot.

While the kerbside collection service in Cheltenham does not accept plastic bags, some local supermarkets have in-store recycling collection points for plastic bags. Residents can check with their local stores to find out if they provide this service. For items that cannot be recycled through the kerbside collection, the Waste Wizard can provide guidance on alternative disposal methods.

shunpoly

Cheltenham Borough Council provides recycling boxes, bags, and caddies free of charge

Cheltenham Borough Council offers a comprehensive kerbside recycling collection service, providing recycling boxes, bags, and caddies free of charge to residents. This service was introduced in 2011, with enhancements made over the years to include the recycling of plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, cans, glass, cardboard, paper, small electrical items, batteries, and textiles.

The council has also been funding the kerbside recycling collection service, which costs approximately £211,500 per year. While delivery charges for additional recycling containers were introduced in July 2024 due to budget constraints, the initial provision of recycling equipment remains complimentary.

The council is committed to making plastic bag recycling more accessible. They have introduced a trial service for plastic bag and wrapping recycling, currently available to a limited number of households. This service encourages residents to use the kerbside collection service for plastic bags and wrapping, rather than relying solely on front-of-store recycling points.

During the trial, residents can place their plastic bags and wrapping into the designated collection bags provided by the council. These collection bags are then placed inside the existing recycling boxes for kerbside collection. It is important to note that plastic bags and wrapping should not be placed loose with other recyclables. The accepted items in this trial include all plastic bags, such as carrier bags, salad/fruit/vegetable bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, and cereal bags.

Cheltenham Borough Council's recycling infrastructure is designed to incorporate plastic bag and wrapping collection and sorting. The trial, which began in October 2022 and will run until March 2025, aims to expand gradually to include all households in Cheltenham.

shunpoly

Plastic bags must be placed inside collection bags provided by Cheltenham Borough Council

Cheltenham Borough Council is currently running a trial service to make recycling plastic bags easier for its residents. The trial began in October 2022 and will run until March 2025. It is gradually expanding to include more households.

Plastic bags must be placed inside the collection bags provided by Cheltenham Borough Council. All types of plastic bags can be included, such as carrier bags, salad/fruit/vegetable bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, cereal bags, and flower bags. These collection bags can then be placed in your existing recycling boxes. It is important to tie the collection bags securely in a double knot before placing them in the recycling boxes.

If you need more collection bags, you can visit the Cheltenham Borough Council website or contact customer services. The council has provided all the necessary recycling boxes, bags, and caddies free of charge since 2011. However, delivery charges may apply for additional items ordered.

Please note that plastic bags cannot be recycled through the kerbside recycling collection services. You can check if your local supermarket has an in-store recycling collection point for plastic bags.

shunpoly

The trial for plastic bag recycling at-home is gradually expanding

Cheltenham Borough Council has introduced a trial service to make recycling plastic bags and wrapping easier for its residents. The trial, which began in October 2022 and will run until March 2025, is currently only available to a small number of households. However, it will gradually expand to all households in Cheltenham if successful.

The trial aims to address the low recycling rate of plastic bags and wrapping in the UK, which currently stands at only 6%. Cheltenham was chosen as it is representative of communities across the country in terms of rurality, deprivation, geography, and recycling services and collection methods. The council's recycling infrastructure also has the capacity to incorporate plastic bag and wrapping collection and sorting.

During the trial, residents can place their plastic bags and wrapping into the collection bags provided by the council. This includes all plastic bags, such as carrier bags, salad/fruit/vegetable bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, and flower bags. The collection bags should then be securely tied in a double knot and placed inside the existing recycling boxes.

The trial will be conducted in three stages, with the first stage involving a limited section of the area. As the trial progresses, it will expand to reach more households, allowing the project to collect detailed insights and understand the best methods for collecting plastic bags and wrapping from homes. Cheltenham Borough Council is encouraging residents to participate in the trial and recycle their plastic bags and wrapping from home, rather than taking them to front-of-store points.

While plastic bags cannot be recycled through the council's regular kerbside recycling collection, Cheltenham has made significant strides in enhancing its kerbside recycling services. In October 2017, the council expanded its recycling capabilities to include plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, aluminium and steel cans, glass, cardboard, paper, small electrical items, batteries, and textiles. Additionally, Cheltenham was the first council to implement the kerbside coffee pod collection (Podback) at no cost to taxpayers, successfully recycling approximately 4.5 million coffee pods.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Cheltenham Borough Council is currently trialing a recycling collection service for plastic bags and wrapping. The trial began in October 2022 and will run until March 2025.

Place your plastic bags and wrapping into the collection bags provided by Cheltenham Borough Council. Tie your collection bags securely in a double knot and place them in your existing recycling boxes.

All plastic bags can be recycled, including carrier bags, salad/fruit/vegetable bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, cereal bags, and flower bags.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment