Major expansion of recycling collections to include plastic pots, tubs and trays
From Monday, 30 June we will be collecting plastic pots, tubs and trays – such as yoghurt pots, fruit trays/punnets, margarine tubs, and soup pots – as part of our mixed recycling collections.
Currently these items go in the waste bin but soon residents will be able to put them into their mixed recycling for collection.
They can go in both kerbside recycling and communal recycling (bins with light blue lids) alongside plastic bottles, tins and cans, paper and cardboard.
Supporting residents to recycle
We’ve been working in partnership with Veolia to introduce new materials to our recycling collections behind the scenes. This means considerable change for the operation of our Materials Recovery Facility at Hollingdean. The team has been running trials for the new sorting process so that we can be sure it works efficiently ahead of the city-wide rollout.
Deputy Leader Tim Rowkins, Cabinet member for Net Zero and Environmental Services, said: “Improving our recycling provision has been a top priority for us, and I’m very pleased to be adding these plastics to our collections. With food waste also coming in the autumn, this year has seen major progress on recycling across the city.
“Over the next few months, we’ll continue to work with Veolia to expand the variety of materials we can collect even more. We are finalising plans to accept food and drink cartons and aluminium foil soon, but for now please don’t put them in with your recycling as they could contaminate the load.
“With pots, tubs and trays it’s important to remove any plastic film first as that can’t be recycled – and as with all recycling, keep them clean, dry and loose. Give food containers a rinse and shake dry before putting them in your household recycling bin or communal recycling.”
Darren Powell, General Manager for Veolia South Downs, said: “By adapting Hollingdean Materials Recovery Facility to accept plastic pots, tubs, and trays, we are able to support Brighton & Hove residents to recycle even more.
“This is a key step forward towards achieving our shared ambitions of carbon reduction and resource regeneration, which will help to create a more sustainable future for everyone.”
What pots, tubs and trays include
Plastic pots used for
- Yoghurt
- Prepared fruit
- Mini desserts
- Soup
- Cosmetics
Plastic tubs for
- Margarine
- Chocolate
- Pasta sauces
- Ice-cream
- Baked goods such as bite-sized flapjacks
- Laundry powder
Plastic trays or bowls
- Meat and fish trays
- Ready meal bowls or trays
- Snack and salad containers
- Fruit punnets
- Fresh or prepared vegetable containers
- Containers for cakes and pastries
- Trays inside boxes of chocolates
Soft plastics such as plastic films, crisp packets and packaging like bread bags and pet food pouches can be recycled at most larger supermarkets. Reuse carrier bags or recycle at supermarkets.
Hard plastics like garden furniture or children’s toys can be taken to one of two household waste recycling sites in Brighton & Hove.
Find out more about what and how to recycle in the city.
About Veolia
Veolia operates the Hollingdean Materials Recovery Facility, where recycling collected from Brighton & Hove households is sorted and separated before being sent for onward processing.
