Recyclable Materials To Look Out For

Packaging. It’s everywhere. Most of the time it’s unnecessary too. All you have to do is head into a supermarket and you’ll instantly see some useless packaging – take bananas for example. They naturally come with their own packaging, but humans decided to wrap them in plastic. We could go on. But this blog isn’t a rant about how insane the packaging industry is. Instead, we’re going to focus on recyclable materials to look out for in the packaging world. So that if it’s going to end up in our homes, the least we can do is recycle it correctly. Please note, that recyclable capabilities vary depending on what services your council offer so please double-check before putting items in your kerbside recycling bin.

Recyclable materials – plastic

The most problematic type of packaging material is undoubtedly plastic. Some of it can be easily recycled, some of it needs to be taken to a specific recycling location and some isn’t recyclable whatsoever. So let’s group some of our plastics into categories that are easy to follow.

The recyclable plastics

Plenty of plastic can be recycled at home. But not all of it. One easy way to remember if it can be recycled at home or not is by asking yourself the question “Is it a container?” Containers for drinks, yoghurts, shampoos, soaps, food even. If it’s holding the product then it’s highly likely it is recyclable at home.

That being said, not all plastic packaging is a container, sometimes, it’s a film or a lid. So are these recyclable? Often, they’re not recyclable at home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take them to be recycled. Films, lids (not bottle lids) and wrappers are typically categorised into the soft plastics category. Soft plastics are challenging to recycle for most councils which is why supermarkets such as Tesco offer soft plastic recycling locations.

The remaining plastics. If it’s not a container and it’s not a film or wrapper, then what’s left over? Typically it’s polystyrene plastic, bubble wrap or plastic such as kids’ toys or toothbrushes. Polystyrene isn’t recyclable anywhere, so you just need to pop that in the bin. Bubble wrap, you guessed it – it’s soft plastic. Toothbrushes and kids’ hard plastic toys are a little more difficult. Some recycling centres will take them but in other areas, they need to go in the bin. Check with your local council.

Plastics – the quick version:

• Containers ✅
• Lids ✅
• Films ✅ In most areas, double check with your council
• Wrappers ✅ In most areas, double check with your council
• Polystyrene ❌
• Bubble wrap ❌
• Toothbrushes ❌
• Hard plastic toys ❌

Recyclable materials – Paper and card

So much paper and card is recyclable. Cardboard packaging, newspaper, card sleeves, letters and envelopes. But there are some problematic pieces that are entering into recycling bins that cannot be recycled. We’re going to describe this as ‘treated’ paper and card. That way you’ll be able to recycle confidently when you come across a questionable piece of paper or card.

Treated paper and card is a material that has been modified, it could be with a plastic or foil lining, wax wrap or glue. Think sandwich boxes (before they’re separated), greaseproof paper, used wallpaper and post-it notes. If it’s a paper or card and has been treated to something a little extra, make sure it can be removed before trying to recycle. Otherwise, it could jam up machines. If it can be separated it can usually be recycled but do check with your local authority.

Paper and card – the quick version:

• Cardboard boxes ✅
• Card packaging ✅
• Card sleeves ✅
• Sandwich boxes (unseparated) ✅
• Greaseproof paper ❌
• Used wallpaper ❌
• Post-it notes ❌
• Kids paintings ❌
• Printed paper ✅
• Receipts ❌
• Spice sachets ❌

The other recyclable materials in your home

Once you get through paper, card and plastics, there isn’t too much leftover to try and sort through. Typically it’s metal cans and glass jars, from soup and fizzy drinks to jam jars and iced coffee bottles – all of which are recyclable at home. But we know that there are a few items that don’t fall into these categories. We think we’ve managed to group them all below, but let us know in the comments if there are any missing that you’re curious about!

• Clingfilm ✅ at soft plastic recycling locations
• Blister packets (for medicine) ✅ At selective plastic recycling locations
• Broken plates ❌
• Cat litter ✅❌ Some versions can be recycled. Double-check this one.
• Cosmetics ✅ Often these can be recycled in Boots stores, but not at home
• Coffee pods ✅ Not in your kerbside bin, but there are plenty of schemes out there
• Electricals and electronics ✅ Most areas is a no for the kerbside, but a yes at your local recycling centre
• Vapes ✅ Not at the kerbside, but at your local recycling centre
• Disposable nappies ❌
• Cotton wool/make-up pads ❌
• Wet wipes ❌
• Crisp packets/sweet wrappers ❌ Some places will recycle these as soft plastics. Do some research
• Glitter-covered greetings cards or wrapping paper ❌

When you start looking at the packaging and recyclable materials that enter your home, you discover there are plenty. In fact, you should be filling up your recycling before your rubbish bin! Especially with areas that can also recycle their food waste. Take a look at what goes into your rubbish bin and ask yourself – could that go elsewhere?