We are taking part in a trial for the recycling of plastic bags and wrapping.
Around 10,000 properties across the borough have been selected to be part of the trial.
Find streets included in the trial
How to recycle your plastic bags and wrapping at home
If you are part of the trial, you will be given blue recycling bags to put your plastic bags and wrapping in.
Securely tie the bags
When you have filled the bag make sure you tie it securely in a double knot.
Where to put the bags
Put the filled bag inside your blue recycling bin on top of your recycling.
Fill each collection bag as much as you can before using another one.
All items should be dry, clean and free from any food.
What goes in your blue recycling bags
| Yes | No |
|---|---|
| carrier bags | pouches, sachets, and packets used for microwaveable food, baby food, pet food, cosmetics, detergent and cleaning |
| bags used to hold salad, fruit, vegetables, frozen foods, bread, cereal and flowers | crisp tubes |
| confectionery wrappers such as chocolate, sweets, biscuits, cakes, ice cream and chewing gum | plastic straws |
| foil-lined packaging such as crisp packets, snack packets and coffee bags | plastic cutlery |
| plastic film and sleeves such as removable film lids, plastic sleeves for bottles and jars | foam or polystyrene of any kind |
| bubble wrap and cling film | disposable gloves or masks |
| fruit and vegetable net bags | balloons |
| cheese, fish and meat wrapping | blister packs, pills, and tablets packaging |
| outer layer bags and wrapping used for multi-pack toilet and kitchen roll, magazine and newspaper wrapping | compostable or biodegradable bags and wrapping |
Top tip
Keep your plastic bags and wrapping until you’ve collected a full bag before putting them in your blue recycling bin.
Items to recycle as normal
Put these items loose in your blue recycling bin as normal:
- plastic bottles, pots, tubs, or trays
- ready meal or fresh meat and fish containers or trays
For a full list of items, go to our recycling bin collection page.
Order more blue recycling bags
Remember to order more bags before you reach the end of your supply. Only use the blue collection bags provided and not any other bag.
Order more blue recycling bags
Request an additional blue recycling bin
Try to squash your regular recycling down as much as possible to fit the bag of plastic wrapping.
If you are often not able to fit all your recycling in your blue bin, you can order another one.
Request an additional blue recycling bin
More information
The trial is funded by Flexible Plastic Fund and the government. It is currently available to selected councils.
The trial will run until March 2025. We hope that, subject to funding, the service will continue beyond 2025. After this, government legislation should provide the necessary funding.
All recycling, including the plastic bags and wrapping, will be taken to the material recycling facility in Reading.
The process of sorting plastic bags and wrapping is different to sorting other recyclable items.
They need to be sorted manually. Keeping plastic bags and wrapping separate in blue bags, tied securely with a double knot, makes sorting them much easier.
Get more information on the Recycle Now website.
Give us your feedback
To help us learn as much as possible during this trial, we would like to hear your feedback.
Follow us on Facebook
To keep you motivated, we will be sharing some statistics and tips on our re3 - plastic bags and wrapping recycling trial page on Facebook.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the trial, contacts us by:
- email: customer.services@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
- phone: 01344 352000