Plastics
Soft plastics
plastic film, crisp packets, bread bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrapping, carrier bags
Can you recycle?
Sometimes
Sometimes — soft plastics can't go in most curbside bins, but many supermarkets collect them at front-of-store drop-off points.
How to prepare
1. Empty and shake out any crumbs or residue. 2. Keep the plastic clean and dry. 3. Combine films, wrappers, and bags together. 4. Drop them in the soft-plastics collection bin at a participating supermarket.
Common mistakes
Putting soft plastics in curbside recycling, where they tangle sorting machines. Leaving food residue on wrappers. Mixing in compostable or biodegradable bags, which aren't the same material.
What happens after you recycle it?
Collected soft plastics are reprocessed into new bin bags, outdoor furniture, drainage pipes, and damp-proof membranes for construction.
Drop-off guidance
Most large supermarkets have a soft-plastics collection bin near the entrance or checkouts, which accept films, carrier bags, and wrappers that curbside collections won't.
FAQs
Can I recycle soft plastics?
Not in your curbside bin, but yes at supermarket front-of-store collection points that take films, bags, and wrappers.
Where can I recycle soft plastics near me?
Use the lookup above, or check the entrance and checkouts of your local supermarket for a soft-plastics bin.
Is it free to recycle soft plastics?
Yes. Supermarket soft-plastics drop-off points are free to use.
Can I get paid to recycle soft plastics?
No. There's no deposit or payment for soft plastics, but dropping them off keeps them out of landfill for free.
