Woking Borough Council
Civic OfficesGloucester SquareWokingSurreyGU21 6YL
Telephone: 01483 755855
Plastic recycling
Jump to:
- What plastic items can I recycle?
- What happens to plastics when they are collected for recycling?
- Why do I have to squash the plastic bottles?
- Can I put plastic bottle tops into my recycling container?
- Where can I take other plastic household items which are not listed?
- What can I do with plastic carrier bags?
- Why do I need to rinse the plastic items?
- What happens if I put the wrong plastic in the bin?
- If I have excess recyclable plastic materials what shall I do with it?
What plastic items can I recycle?
Please recycle the items listed in the 'yes please' column. Those listed in the 'no thank you' column cannot be recycled, so please do not put these into your recycling bin or sack.
| Yes please | No thank you |
|---|---|
| Plastic bottles | Cartons, plastic bags, film or bubble wrap |
| Yoghurt pots | Polystyrene |
| Margarine, butter or ice cream tubs | Toys |
| Ready meal and take away food trays | Plant pots or garden items |
| Meat, fish, vegetable and fruit trays | CDs, DVDs, videos or eletrical equipment |
| Sandwich containers | Coat hangers |
What happens to plastics when they are collected for recycling?
Plastics that are collected for recycling are sorted, washed, melted down, granulated and recycled into various items e.g.
|
|
Why do I have to squash the plastic bottles?
Plastic bottles can be very bulky. Squashing your plastics will help you to save space and will let you fit more materials into your recycling container.
Can I put plastic bottle tops into my recycling container?
All plastic bottle tops can go into your recycling container, it is helpful though if the tops are first removed from the bottles as this makes it easier for the vehicle's compactor to squash the bottles to maxmise capacity.
Where can I take other plastic household items which are not listed?
Contact your local charity shops to find out if they would be interested in your old toys, cds or garden furniture. You would be helping the environment and raise money for a charity of your choice. Alternatively, bulky rigid plastic items, such as plastic chairs, can be taken to the Community Recycling Centres at Martyrs Lane or Slyfield Industrial Estate.
What can I do with plastic carrier bags?
You can reuse carrier bags by taking them to the shops to use again or you can purchase a reusable `bag for life' which you could take with you everytime you go the shops. Some local supermarkets may accept carrier bags to recycle.
Why do I need to rinse the plastic items?
A quick rinse should remove any food residues. This ensures the inside of your recycling bin remains clean and food stuffs do not contaminate other recyclables, such as paper.
What happens if I put the wrong plastic in the bin?
If plastics which are not listed are put into the recycling bin the container will not be emptied and the items will have to be removed before your next collection.
If I have excess recyclable plastic materials what shall I do with it?
Excess recycling is always collected.
If you have extra recyclable materials, please make sure any sharp items such as glass bottles and jar or tins and cans are contained within your recycling bin. Other recyclables can be bagged and placed next to your recycling bin on your collection day.