Plastic packaging

Plastic packing and plastic wrapping and wrappers are made of a variety of plastic types. 

Some will be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) with a recycling symbol with the number 1 or high density polyethylene (HDPE) with a recycling symbol with the number 2 with some being made of polypropylene (PP) with a recycling symbol and the number 5.

Some items will be made of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and carries the recycling symbol number 4, some will be made of polystyrene and some items will be a mixture of plastics called composite plastics - number 7.

Recycling symbols on packaging can be confusing and does not always mean it can be collected by your council for recycling and this will depend on what contracts and markets are available to them. See the list below for those items made of soft plastics you can place in your household recycling bin.

Reduce

If you can, purchase items with little or no wrapping or use shops that offer a refill service

Reuse

Use containers for storage

Recycle - in your household recycling bin

Yes please to following items:

• Food pots
• Food tubs
• Food trays
• Ice cream tubs
• Margarine containers
• Plastic sandwich packs
• Clear pre-formed plastic
• Yoghurt pots
• Plastic film lids

Refuse bin

These items should be placed in your household refuse bin

• Food pouches
• Baby food pouches
• Pet food pouches
• Detergent pouches
• Plastic refill pouches
• Plastic wrappers
• Plastic wrapping
• Cling Film
• Cellophane wrapping
• Cellophane bags

Other information

Take to an East Sussex County Council run Household Waste and Recycling Site

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