What to do with
Plastic tubs & trays
Want to recycle plastic pots, tubs and trays?
To check which plastic items can be recycled at home or to find out where your nearest recycling facilities are, use our handy Recycling Locator tool.
Which plastic pots, tubs and trays can be recycled at home?
Not all local authorities accept these items, but if they do, typically they will collect:
| Pots (e.g. yogurt, soup) | Medicine packs (e.g. headache pills) |
| Tubs (e.g. margarine, ice cream) | Film lids from the pots or trays |
| Trays or punnets (e.g. raw or cooked meat trays; take-away trays; fruit & veg trays) | Laminated pouches (e.g. cat food and coffee pouches that spring back when you try and scrunch them - these are currently not recyclable) |
| Chocolate and biscuit tubs and trays | Paint pots - recycle these at your local recycling centre |
| Other clear plastic packaging | Plastic toys - these are currently not recyclable |
| Non-black plant pots | Expanded polystyrene (e.g. packaging inserts) |
| Dishwasher tablet & washing capsule tubs |
How to recycle plastic pots, tubs and trays
- Rinse food packaging - a quick rinse will do. Left-over food residue can contaminate other recyclables.
- Labels and lids can all be left on but plastic film must be removed and put in the general rubbish bin.
- Use left over washing up water to rinse your plastic pots and tubs before recycling.
- Remove any film lids and absorbent pads from plastic trays and put these in the general rubbish.
- Any cardboard or paper sleeves can be recycled separately.
Tips for recycling plastic pots, tubs and trays
Can you put plastic pots, tubs and trays in your home recycling?