Recycling Your Plastics

NO THANKS

YES PLEASE ✓You can recycle several different types of plastic packaging in your blue recycling bin, box or sack. Please rinse and squashbefore putting it into your blue container.

� All plastic bottles � Rigid plastic packaging and coffee machine pods� Food pots, tubs and trays � Bubble wrap, cling film and polythene wraps� Loose carrier bags

Hard plastice.g. buckets,toys, CD andDVD cases

Thin plasticwraps e.g.salad bags,crisp packets

Polystyrenecartons,

packaging Black bin

liners

Plastic pouchese.g. pet foodsachets, babywipe packets

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What do the numbers mean onplastic packaging, which types canbe recycled?Some manufacturers label plastic packagingwith numbers such as these:

In Oxford generally types 1, 2, 4 and 5 canbe recycled; however this can vary so pleasefollow the guidance on the front of this leafletand not these symbols.

Some plastic packaging has thesesymbols – can they be recycled?

Some manufacturers add these symbols topackaging to show they are made fromrecycled materials or potentially could berecycled – however this may not be the casein Oxford, so use the guidance on the front ofthis leaflet to check.

Do I have to wash plastics beforeputting them into the blue bin forrecycling?Recycling doesn’t have to be completelyclean, but we recommend giving it a rinse,especially meat trays. This will also help yourbin to stay clean. Labels don’t need to beremoved.

Do I have to remove the plasticwindow from an envelope beforeputting it in the blue bin?No, the envelope can be put straight into theblue bin.

Should I remove bottle tops beforerecycling plastic bottles?After you’ve rinsed and squashed yourplastic, the tops can be put back on or put intothe blue bin loose.

What happens to plastic packagingafter it’s been sent for recycling?Recycling is taken to a transfer station atEnstone, West Oxfordshire, where it is baledbefore being taken to a materials recoveryfacility in Kent. Here it is sorted into differentmaterial streams and sent on to bereprocessed. Some plastic products, such asbottles, are reprocessed in the UK and usedto make new plastic products or fleecejackets. However, some plastic is shippedabroad where there is a demand for it in themanufacturing of new products.

I have a plastic product which isn’tlisted on this leaflet and I’m not sureif it can be recycled?Please contact us using the details at thebottom of this leaflet.

Contact Uswww.oxford.gov.uk/recycling E: recycling@oxford.gov.uk T: 01865 249811Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Recycle4Oxford

Frequently asked questions