In this section
Changes to types of plastic you can recycle
What is changing?
Watford residents can recycle accepted soft plastic packaging in their blue-lidded recycling bin as part of the usual fortnightly mixed recycling collection.You can place accepted soft plastics loose in your blue-lidded recycling bin with your other recyclable items. Your usual collection arrangements will continue.
What are soft plastics?
Soft plastics include items such as carrier bags, bread bags, food wrappers, plastic film and cling film. As a quick guide, if the empty plastic can be scrunched in your hand and springs back or stays scrunched, it is likely to be a soft plastic. Check the lists below before putting it in your bin.
Yes please
- Empty plastic bags, including bread bags
- Sweet and confectionery wrappers
- Foil-lined packaging
- Cheese, fish and meat wrapping
- Outer layer bags and wrapping
- Plastic films and sleeves
- Bubble wrap and cling film
- Fruit and vegetable nets
No thanks
- Pouches and sachets
- Balloons
- Pill and tablet packaging, including blister packs
- Compostable or biodegradable bags
- Plastic bags containing items
- Disposable gloves or masks
- Foam or polystyrene
- Plastic straws or cutlery
- Plastic textiles or clothing
How to recycle soft plastics
- Empty the packaging.
- Make sure it is clean and dry.
- Place it loose in your blue-lidded recycling bin.
- Put your bin at the kerbside by 6am on your usual collection day.
- Do not put items inside plastic bags. Bags must be empty and loose.
Avoid contamination
If your recycling bin contains non-recyclable items, or plastic bags with items inside, it will be treated as contaminated and may not be emptied.
What happens to soft plastics?
Recycled soft plastics can be made into products including plastic packaging, bags for life, boxes, bins, and materials used in agriculture and construction.
Find out more at recyclenow
