Take-away packaging
Disposable or single use items such as food and drink take-away items can cause a lot of confusion as to whether or not they are recyclable. They can be made from the following materials:
- polystyrene (PS)
- polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) with a recycling symbol number 1
- high density polyethylene (HDPE) with a recycling symbol number 2
- bioplastic made from corn starch (PLA)
- waxed coated paper or cardboard
These types of items sound like they can be recycled but unfortunately it is not something we can accept in your household recycling bin. Bioplastics are often marketed as being a sustainable and eco-friendly option for example being biodegradable or compostable. However, they are not suitable for a home composter and will need to be put through an 'industrial composting' facility of which there are only few in the UK. Biodegradable items are usually made from a plant based material and designed to breakdown which can take a long time. They may look like a plastic that can be recycled but they can't and we cannot accept them in your household recycling bin.
Reduce
Take a refillable cup out with you, most coffee shops will fill it.
Reuse
Disposable coffee cups make good plant pots or posts for crafts
Recycle - in your household recycling bin
No thank you
Refuse bin
Yes please.
Other information
Disposable and single use food packaging are a regular feature in our local litter which can end up in our ditches, streams, rivers and beaches affecting wildlife and contributes to local flooding Marine Litter
Lots of information on how to reduce litter can be found at Keep Britain Tidy
Share this page
