Forest of Dean District Council expands recycling collection to include plastic pots, tubs and trays

Yoghurt pots, margarine tubs and punnets from fruit and vegetables are among the types of plastic that can now be put out for collection in the green recycling box.

Cllr Andy Moore, Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for waste and recycling at Forest of Dean District Council, said: “We know that our residents are eager to recycle more so we’re delighted to be expanding the range of materials we can now collect at the kerbside.

“Residents of the Forest of Dean are keen recyclers - the district places in the top 15% of English local authorities for its waste and recycling performance in the most recent Let’s Recycle rankings. This change will mean we are recycling even more, and less plastic is going to incineration.

“Some households have been putting out mixed plastics with their plastic bottles for some time and this has been collected by our crews. We want to reassure households this plastic has been going for recycling, however there were steps we needed to take before we could officially roll out this service to the whole district.

“While we’re pleased to offer more recycling options, we also encourage everyone to think about how they can reduce the amount of plastic they use in the first place. Recycling is important, but reducing our reliance on plastic is even better for the environment.”

Plastic pots, tubs and trays should be rinsed clean and placed in the same green recycling box that is used for plastic bottles, tins, cans and aluminium foil.

Pots, tubs and trays are particularly light and can blow out of the recycling container if not careful. When putting out recycling containers for collection, residents should stack another one of their recycling containers on top of their box for plastics to prevent plastic from blowing away.

Plastics accepted for recycling now include:

• Yoghurt pots, margarine and ice cream tubs
• Punnets from fruit and vegetables
• Trays for meat, biscuits etc

Some plastics remain non-recyclable through the kerbside collection, including:

• Soft plastics, such as carrier bags, bread bags and crisp packets
• Plastic film
• Cling film
• Bubble wrap
• Hard plastics (like flowerpots and toys)

Plastic bottles - including those for drinks, milk, ketchup, shampoo, toiletries, bleach, and washing-up liquid - will continue to be collected as usual. Residents should leave lids on bottles but remove and dispose of triggers (such as spray nozzles) in the general waste bin.

Residents can find a quick overview of what can be recycled at the kerbside on the back of their annual waste collection calendar. Alternatively, more information can be found on the District Council’s website: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/bins 

The Gloucestershire Waste Wizard online tool can help residents find the most sustainable way to dispose of their unwanted household items, including at local repair cafes, charity shops, and recycling drop off points. Find the Waste Wizard: https://www.fdean.gov.uk/wastewizard