Plastic bottles
Recycle at home
Recycle out of home
Yes, plastic bottles can be recycled at some out of home recycling points.
Which plastic bottles can be recycled?
All clear and coloured plastic bottles from around the home
Cleaning product bottles, e.g. bathroom cleaners and bleach, with any triggers left on
Detergent and soap bottles, minus the pump
Fizzy and non-fizzy drinks and water bottles
Shampoo, shower gel and skin care product bottles
Milk bottles
Ready-to-use plant food and pesticides bottles - check the label
Which plastic bottles can't be recycled?
Plastic bottles containing chemicals, e.g. anti-freeze
How to recycle plastic bottles
- 1
Empty and rinse bottles. Left over foods or liquids can contaminate other recyclables and if bottles contain liquid they may not be recycled as deemed too heavy by the automated sorting process. Liquid can also damage the machinery.
- 2
Leave on labels - these will be removed in the process.
- 3
Squash bottles to save space.
- 4
Replace lids and tops. If they stay on the container they will get recycled.
- 5
If the lid is already attached, leave attached as this will ensure the lid is recycled along with the bottle.
Good to know
It is estimated that an average of 35.8 million plastic bottles are used EVERY DAY in the UK, but only 19.8 million are recycled each day.
This means there are on average 16 million plastic bottles a day not making their way into the recycling bin.