Council rolls out more plastic recycling for residents

Starting from Monday 9^th November 2026, all residents can sign up to our borough wide kerbside plastic bags and wrapping recycling service.

Our trial in parts of the borough including Benhall and Wymans Brook has been well received by residents and we are now rolling this out to every household in town.

Residents are asked to sign up on our website or contact the council (01242) 262626 to participate in this new service. A pack of collection bags will be delivered to households to put old bags and wrappings in along with an instruction leaflet advising how this recycling works.

As well as, or instead of, the collection bags supplied, residents can also use their own carrier bags to recycle. Once filled bags should be tied securely. Materials that can be recycled include:

All plastic bags (carrier bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, salad, fruit and vegetable bags, flower bags and cereal bags).
Confectionary wrappers (chocolates, sweets, biscuits, cakes, ice cream and chewing gum wrappers).
Foil-lined packaging (crisp packets, snack packets and coffee bags).
Cheese, fish and meat wrapping.
Outer layer bags and wrapping (multi-pack kitchen and toilet roll, magazine and newspaper).
All pouches, sachets and packets (microwavable food, baby food, pet food, cosmetics, detergent and cleaning pouches).
Plastic film and sleeves (removable film lids and plastic sleeves for bottles and jars).
Bubble wrap and cling film.
Fruit and vegetable nets.

Cllr Steve Harvey, cabinet member for waste and recycling and parks, gardens and green open space, said: “For residents, this is about making recycling simpler, more convenient and more effective while at the same time reducing the need to make more new plastics with all those associated costs to the environment.

“We are particularly proud to not only be one of the first authorities to sign up to the FlexCollect trial in 2022 but to also be among the first authorities to introduce this enhanced service borough wide – more than three years ahead of the government’s extended deadline. It demonstrates our commitment to this agenda and most importantly, it gives our residents an easier way to play their part in protecting the environment.”

For more information about the scheme, including details of what you can recycle, please visit the Recycle Now website.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The scheme is being rolled out following a successful trial period involving around 6,000 households.
Under Simpler Recycling, councils must provide consistent recycling services and collect core recyclable materials from households.
Plastic bags and plastic film were originally due to become mandatory from March 2027. However, in July 2026 Defra deferred the requirement to 1 April 2030, citing insufficient UK sorting and reprocessing capacity.

Council rolls out more plastic recycling for residents

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