Your guide to plastic recycling in the UK
Making recycling plastics easier
Not all plastic is recyclable but knowing what’s what can make a big difference
From food trays and drink bottles to wrappers and pouches, our plastic waste comes in many forms. This guide helps you understand the symbols, know what your council collects, and find out where to take tricky items.
What plastics can you recycle at home?
Most local councils across the UK collect certain types of plastic for recycling, such as bottles and some tubs or trays. Clear drinks bottles made from PET, as well as milk and shampoo bottles made from HDPE, are usually accepted in kerbside collections — along with some household pots, tubs, and trays.
However, not all plastics can be recycled through your local bin service. Items like plastic film, carrier bags, polystyrene trays, takeaway boxes, crisp packets, pouches, and black plastic trays are not widely accepted and often need to be taken to specialist recycling points instead.
Recycling rules can vary depending on where you live, so it’s always best to check with your local authority to see what’s accepted in your area. You can also use our recycling tool to quickly find out where and how to recycle plastics near you.
What do the plastic recycling symbols mean?
Ever noticed those little triangles with numbers on your plastic packaging? They’re called plastic resin identification codes, and they help you understand what type of plastic an item is made from , and how recyclable it might be.
Each number represents a different type of plastic, from the clear PET used in soft drink bottles to the flexible LDPE found in bread bags. Some plastics, like PET and HDPE, are widely recycled through kerbside collections. Others, such as PVC and polystyrene, are not commonly recycled and may need to go to specialist facilities instead.
Knowing what these symbols mean can help you make smarter recycling choices and reduce contamination in your recycling bin. It’s also a great way to teach children (and adults!) how to spot recyclable packaging in everyday life.
Check out the table to see what each symbol means and how it’s recycled, and if you’d like to understand all recycling icons, not just plastics, visit our full recycling symbol guide
What to do with hard to recycle plastics
Not all plastics can go in your household recycling bin, but that doesn’t mean they have to end up in landfill. With a few simple habits, you can recycle more effectively and cut down on unnecessary waste.
Start by rinsing out food containers before recycling and flattening bottles to save space. There’s no need to remove labels, they’re taken off during the recycling process. Always keep recyclables loose in your bin rather than bagging them, and when possible, choose clear plastic trays instead of black ones, which are harder to recycle.
Reducing your plastic use is just as important. Try using refill stations for cleaning and beauty products, buy loose fruit and vegetables instead of plastic wrapped options, and reuse tubs or bags whenever you can. Supporting brands that offer return or reuse packaging schemes also helps close the recycling loop.
Our plastic recycling guide explains different plastic types, offers more recycling tips, and shows where to take those harder-to-recycle items near you.
What plastics can you recycle at home?
Most UK councils collect some plastics such as PET drink bottles, HDPE milk and shampoo bottles, and certain pots, tubs, and trays. But items like plastic film, bags, polystyrene, takeaway boxes, crisp packets, pouches, and black trays usually need specialist recycling points. Rules vary locally, so check with your council to see what’s accepted in your area.
What do the plastic recycling symbols mean?
The numbered triangles on plastic packaging are resin codes that show what type of plastic an item is made from and how recyclable it may be. Each number represents a different material, from PET in drink bottles to LDPE in bags. Plastics like PET and HDPE are widely recycled, while PVC and polystyrene often need specialist facilities. Knowing these symbols helps you recycle correctly and avoid contamination. Check our full guide on packaging recycling symbols.
What to do with hard to recycle plastics
Not all plastics can go in your household recycling, but many can still be reused or taken to specialist points. Rinse containers and flatten bottles; labels can stay on. Keep recycling loose and choose clear trays over black ones. Reduce plastic by using refill stations, buying loose produce, and reusing tubs or bags. Support brands with return schemes and check our guide for more tips.