Alexei Volkov
Soft plastics are a type of plastic that cannot be recycled through your average kerbside recycling programme. However, that does not mean that they cannot be recycled at all. In the UK, soft plastics can be recycled at carrier bag collection points in large supermarkets. For example, Co-op has over 2,200 stores across the country that accept soft plastics for recycling. Before taking your soft plastics to be recycled, ensure that they are clean and free of food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soft plastics accepted | Co-op, large supermarkets |
| Plastic types | Plastic bags, bread bags, frozen food bags, crisp packets, pet food pouches, loo roll wrap, chocolate wrappers, plastic wrap from toilet/kitchen roll packs, bubble/plastic wrap around newspapers and magazines, plastic films, plastic wrapping, flexible plastics |
| Plastic condition | Clean, food-free, free of sticky labels |
| Additional information | Recycling locator tools are available to find the nearest recycling locations and what can be recycled there |
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What You'll Learn
- Soft plastics can be recycled at Co-op stores across the UK
- Plastic bags and wrapping can be recycled at carrier bag collection points in large supermarkets
- Soft plastics should be cleaned and scrunched before recycling
- Biodegradable and compostable bags should not be recycled
- Recycling locators can be used to find the nearest recycling locations
Soft plastics can be recycled at Co-op stores across the UK
Soft plastics include plastic film lids on yoghurt pots, soft fruit punnets and ready meal trays, as well as crisp packets, pasta bags, and chocolate or biscuit wrappers. You can recycle any soft plastics at Co-op, regardless of where you purchased them or the brand. However, it's important to note that some third-party packaging may not be recycled due to technical limitations.
While Co-op's soft plastics recycling scheme is convenient and accessible, it's worth mentioning that soft plastic recycling in the UK faces challenges. There are only a few facilities in the UK equipped to process soft plastics, and some recycled soft plastics may be downcycled into products like drainpipes or shelving. Additionally, there is a lack of transparency around the fate of some soft plastics collected through supermarket takeback schemes, with investigations revealing that a significant portion ends up being incinerated rather than recycled.
To ensure your soft plastics are responsibly recycled, you can also check with your local council or use online tools like the BPF Recycling Roadmap or recycling locators to find specific information about what can be recycled and the nearest drop-off points.
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Plastic bags and wrapping can be recycled at carrier bag collection points in large supermarkets
Soft plastics, plastic films, and plastic bags and wrapping can be recycled at carrier bag collection points in large supermarkets. This includes bread bags, frozen food bags, crisp packets, pet food pouches, loo roll wrap, and chocolate wrappers.
Before taking your soft plastics to the supermarket, ensure that they are clean and free of food. Tear off any sticky labels where possible. It is also important to note that compostable and biodegradable bags are not designed to be recycled and should be placed in your home composting bin.
In the UK, Co-op has over 2,200 stores that accept soft plastics for recycling. They accept all Co-op own brand food packaging and soft plastics from any retailer or brand. However, they cannot guarantee that third-party packaging will be recycled due to technical limitations.
Additionally, recycling banks are available for certain types of plastic film at larger stores of certain supermarkets. You can use a recycling locator to find your nearest recycling locations and determine which materials they accept.
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Soft plastics should be cleaned and scrunched before recycling
Soft plastics, such as plastic bags, wrappers, and films, can be recycled at designated drop-off points in supermarkets, recycling centres, and other locations. Before taking your soft plastics for recycling, it is essential to ensure they are clean and scrunched, following these steps:
Firstly, make sure the soft plastics are clean and free of food residue. This step is crucial as contaminants can hinder the recycling process. It is important to note that biodegradable or compostable bags should not be placed with other recyclables as they can cause quality issues in the recycled material. Instead, these should be put in a home composting bin.
Secondly, remove any sticky labels from the soft plastics if possible. This helps ensure the plastics are as clean as possible and ready for the recycling process.
Thirdly, scrunch the soft plastics into small balls or pieces. This step is important because soft plastics are flexible and can easily get tangled in recycling machinery, causing operational issues. By scrunching them, you help prevent these issues and make the recycling process more efficient.
Finally, store the clean and scrunched soft plastics together until you have a bulk amount. You can keep them under the sink or by your front door, whichever works best for you. Then, on your next trip to a designated drop-off point, usually found in supermarkets, take the soft plastics for recycling.
By following these steps and ensuring your soft plastics are clean and scrunched, you can play a vital role in promoting sustainability and reducing plastic waste.
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Biodegradable and compostable bags should not be recycled
Soft plastics, such as plastic bags and wrapping, can be recycled at your local supermarket. In the UK, soft plastics can be recycled at more than 4000 supermarkets. For example, you can recycle soft plastics at any Co-op store, no matter where you shop.
However, biodegradable and compostable bags should not be recycled. Compostable and biodegradable bags are not designed to be recycled and can potentially cause quality issues in the recycled material. If they enter the recycling system, they can contaminate the recycling stream. Instead, these bags should be placed in a home composting bin, if you have one.
Biodegradable plastic is defined by its ability to break down completely into substances found in nature within a reasonable timeframe. However, this does not always work in practice. Compostable plastic, on the other hand, is specifically designed and tested to be processed in either home or industrial composting facilities. These facilities enable specific conditions, like temperature and moisture, to turn the plastic into a usable soil conditioner.
It is important to note that not all biodegradable plastic is compostable, and not all compostable plastic is biodegradable. While compostable and biodegradable plastic can play a helpful role in reducing waste, they alone will not solve the plastic pollution crisis. These plastics should only be used when they add value and work with the systems that can recover them.
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Recycling locators can be used to find the nearest recycling locations
In the UK, soft plastics can be recycled at more than 4000 supermarkets, including Co-op. In Australia, some councils offer soft plastics recycling services, so it is worth checking with your local council. The National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS) is trialling soft plastic collection in kerbside recycling bins in some councils in NSW, SA, and Victoria. The REDcycle program, which collected 5.4 billion pieces of soft plastic, has unfortunately been closed since November 2022.
In New Zealand, the Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme collects soft plastics from selected Woolworths, The Warehouse, New World, Pak'nSave stores, and other locations. Over 87% of people now have access to a soft plastic recycling bin within 20km of home or work.
In the US, the How2Recycle website has a Store Drop-off label that can be used to identify businesses that accept plastic film for recycling. The plastic can be dropped off at the store's entryway.
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Frequently asked questions
Soft plastics can be recycled at carrier bag collection points in large supermarkets. In the UK, soft plastics can be recycled at over 2,200 Co-op stores.
Soft plastics include plastic bags, cereal bags, bread bags, plastic wrap from toilet/kitchen roll packs, bubble/plastic wrap around newspapers and magazines, crisp packets, and pet food pouches.
Soft plastics should be cleaned and free of food before being recycled. Sticky labels should be removed where possible.
You can use a recycling locator to find out where to take specific items for recycling. Some websites allow you to enter your postcode to find the nearest recycling locations and what items they accept.
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