Ethan Clarke
Recycling plastic in London is easy and accessible. The City of London has an app called Recycle Coach, which allows users to search for specific items and find out how to recycle them properly. Londoners can also use the London Recycles campaign, which aims to motivate Londoners to recycle more of the right things more often. There are also many ways for Londoners to divert plastic waste from landfills and recycling facilities, such as reducing the use of everyday plastics, shopping at zero-waste stores, and reusing plastic items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic items that can be recycled | Plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, mixed glass, tins, cans, biscuit tins, plastic bags, plastic wrap, plastic furniture, electrical items, toys, detergent bottles, laundry bottles, toiletry bottles |
| How to recycle plastic items | Rinse packaging, remove food residue, keep plastic lids on, use clear recycling sacks or bins |
| Plastic items that cannot be recycled | Rigid bulky plastic, plant pots, photographs, bubble wrap, plastic bags, plastic film, plastic six-pack rings |
| Initiatives to improve plastic recycling | Recycle Coach app, London Hefty EnergyBag Pilot Project, Green Bin waste diversion plan |
| Stores with plastic-reducing initiatives | Reimagine Co. |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling plastic bottles, pots, tubs, and trays
In London, plastic bottles, pots, tubs, and trays can be recycled in the mixed recycling container along with glass bottles and jars, food tins, drink cans, empty aerosols, and foil. It is important to rinse the packaging to ensure there is no leftover food residue, which can ruin your recycling. You can leave the labels on but make sure to remove any plastic film, as this needs to go in the rubbish bin. Plastic bottle tops should also be removed and placed in the general waste bin as they can fall off during the separating process and contaminate the glass recycling.
If you are in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, you can put your recycling straight into your green recycle bin. Squash plastic bottles and keep the plastic lids on. If you are unsure about whether something can be recycled, the general advice is to "leave it out". You can also use the Recycle Coach app to search for specific items and find more information.
For plastics that cannot be recycled through the City's regular blue bin program, there are alternative ways to recycle responsibly. For example, Metro, at 1030 Adelaide Street North, collects plastics like clear bread bags, with collection bins located at the front and back of the store. The London Hefty EnergyBag Pilot Project collects single-use plastic and converts it into plastic furniture, composite lumber for decks, or potential fuel sources.
To reduce your plastic waste output, you can switch to reusable or plastic-free products, such as reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, bags, and containers. You can also shop at zero-waste stores, such as Reimagine Co. in London, which uses zero single-use packaging and asks shoppers to bring their own sanitized containers and reusable bags.
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Recycling plastic bags and wrappings
Plastic bags and wrappings are a significant source of waste, and it is essential to recycle them properly to reduce environmental impact. Here is a detailed guide on recycling plastic bags and wrappings in London:
Plastic Bags
Plastic bags, such as carrier bags, cereal bags, bread bags, and toilet/kitchen roll packs, can be recycled at carrier bag collection points in large supermarkets. Most major supermarkets have these collection points, and you can find the nearest one by searching online or checking with the store. It is important to keep these bags separate from your regular recycling sack or bin. Hard plastic bags, like those used for salad or rice/pasta, should be placed in the household waste bin.
Plastic Wrappings
Many types of plastic wrappings can be recycled, but it is essential to prepare them correctly. Firstly, remove any food residue by rinsing or wiping the wrappings. Labels can usually be left on, but film tops and plastic wrappings with oil or heavy soiling should be placed in the rubbish bin. Check with your local council for specific guidelines, as some may have different requirements.
Other Plastic Items
In addition to bags and wrappings, many other plastic items can be recycled. Plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, and detergent/laundry bottles are commonly accepted in recycling bins or sacks. Keep the plastic lids on bottles, but remove trigger/spray tops. Hard plastic items, such as toys, flower pots, or furniture, may not be accepted in your regular recycling and should be taken to a reuse and recycling centre or placed in the household waste.
Reducing Plastic Waste
While recycling is essential, it is also worth considering ways to reduce plastic waste. Reusable items, such as shopping bags, coffee mugs, and containers, can help minimise the number of single-use plastics ending up in landfills or the environment. Supporting plastic-free stores, such as Reimagine Co. in London, which offers zero single-use packaging, is another way to reduce plastic waste.
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Recycling hard plastic items
Londoners can refer to the City of London's Recycle Coach app to find out how to recycle specific items. To recycle hard plastic items, first consider if they can be repaired or donated to a charity shop. Hard plastic items in good condition can be sold at car boot sales, jumble sales, or online markets, or offered to friends, neighbours, or relatives.
The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham provides recycling bins for plastic bottles, which should be squashed with their plastic lids kept on. Mixed glass bottles and jars are also accepted, but metal lids should be removed and placed separately in the recycling.
The London Hefty EnergyBag Pilot Project collects single-use plastic and converts it into plastic furniture, composite lumber for decks, or potential fuel sources. Metro, at 1030 Adelaide Street North, collects plastics like clear bread bags, with collection bins located at the front and back of the store.
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Reducing plastic waste
Reusable Alternatives
Reusable alternatives to single-use plastics are a great way to reduce plastic waste. Opt for reusable coffee mugs, containers, and bags instead of disposable plastic ones. Support zero-waste stores like Reimagine Co., which uses zero single-use packaging and encourages shoppers to bring their own sanitized containers and bags.
Recycling Initiatives
The City of London offers recycling initiatives to make it easier for residents to recycle. The "Recycle Coach" app provides information on what can be recycled and how to do it properly. The "Green Bin" waste diversion plan aims to divert 60% of London's waste by 2025 by improving recycling options for textiles, wooden furniture, and bulky plastics.
Proper Disposal
It's important to know how to dispose of different types of plastic properly. Plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, and detergent bottles can be recycled in your clear sack or recycling bin. Rinse them first to remove any food residue, but leave the labels on. Plastic bags, including those used for bread or salad, should be placed in the household waste. Hard plastic items like toys, flower pots, or furniture should also be placed in the household waste or taken to a reuse and recycling centre.
Donate and Reuse
Instead of discarding plastic items, consider donating them to charity shops or selling them. Items like plastic garden furniture, electrical items, and toys can find new life through donation or resale.
Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Small changes can make a big difference. Switch to reusable products, donate or recycle old clothes or electronics, and shop at plastic-free stores. Reducing the use of everyday plastics can significantly reduce your plastic waste output.
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Using the Recycle Coach app
The City of London has an app called Recycle Coach, which provides instant search results to help you identify what can be recycled and what cannot. The app also provides information on how to recycle certain items properly. For example, you should rinse packaging to remove food residue and leave labels on plastic pots but remove film tops and dispose of them in your rubbish bin.
The Recycle Coach app provides trash and recycling collection reminders, delivered straight to your smartphone. The app's calendar and reminder features will ensure you never miss a collection day, even when the schedule changes around holidays. The calendar will also keep you informed about special collections, events, and programs.
The "What Goes Where" search tool is a search engine that gives instant results so you can sort your waste confidently and correctly. The app also provides drop-off information, such as directions, hours of operation, and contact information for local drop-off depots.
The app includes advanced recycling education, such as weekly polls and quizzes, blog posts, and fun activities that teach about proper waste disposal and the recycling process.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, and mixed glass can be recycled in your clear sack or recycling bin. Rinse these items before recycling them and keep the plastic lids on.
Plastic bags, including those used for salad, bread, rice/pasta, and cereal, should be placed in the household waste. Rigid bulky plastic and hard plastic items such as toys, flower pots, or pieces of furniture should also be placed in the household waste.
Small changes can make an impact, such as using reusable products, building your own backyard composter, donating old clothes or electronics, or shopping at plastic-free stores.
The City of London has an app called Recycle Coach, where users can search for specific items and find more information. You can also refer to the London Recycles website, which provides information on what plastic items in your home can be recycled and those that cannot.
