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The only types of plastic you can recycle in your mixed recycling bin at home are plastic bottles.

Why only plastic bottles?
A bottle and a food tray are made of the same type of plastic but not the same grade of plastic, therefore the grades of plastic will behave differently when they are recycled, as they melt at different temperatures. Our Materials Recycling Facility cannot sort between the different grade of plastics, and so they can’t be recycled together.

There are really good reasons why we can only recycle plastic bottles in Greater Manchester:

1. Manufacturers that make new products demand high grade plastics. High Grade = Plastic Bottles.
2. Plastics like pots, tubs and trays are a low grade plastic and the manufacturers just don’t want these.
3. During the recycling process, the plastic is melted. Plastic bottles and plastic pots, tubs and trays melt at different temperatures, meaning the pots, tubs and trays contaminate the bottles and can’t be used to make new products.
4. Other areas may collect plastic pots, tubs and trays, but currently very little is recycled. Most of it is used to make electricity.

Find our more at our What happens to my waste? page.

If you have a vehicle over 2 metres, you will not be able to access the Recycling Centres via the normal entrance due to the height barrier.

You can use the Recycling Centres that have a weighbridge entrance. This is where council, trade and high-sided vehicles go.

Important information before you visit

Personal protective equipment

From Saturday 1st June, personal protective equipment must be worn when recycling or disposing of waste at one of the weighbridge facilities.

This includes:
High visibility jacket
Protective footwear
Safety helmet
Protective gloves

If you do not have these items, please stay in your vehicle and speak with a member of staff when you arrive.

Proof of address

You will need to take your most recent council tax bill or utility bill (gas, electric or landline telephone) relating to the property where the asbestos is from. Please note mobile telephone bills are not accepted.

Using a hire vehicle

If you are using a hire vehicle, please ensure you have you hire vehicle documents with you as you may be asked to produce them.

Locations

Raikes Lane, Bolton

Salford Road, Over Hulton, Bolton

Every Street, Bury

Longley  Lane, Sharston, Manchester

Reliance Street, Newton Heath, Manchester

Arkwright Street, Oldham

Chichester Street, Rochdale

Cobden Street, Salford (temporarily closed for maintenance)

Bredbury Parkway, Bredbury, Stockport (temporarily closed for maintenance)

Bayley Street, Stalybridge, Tameside

Using a hire vehicle – under 2 metres high

Yes, you can use a hire vehicle to recycle and dispose of your household waste at one of our Recycling Centres. You will need to take your hire vehicle documents with you when you visit. Please make sure you separate your waste and recycling before you visit.

Using a hire vehicle  – over 2 metres high

If your hire vehicle is over 2 metres high you will not be able to access the Recycling Centre via the normal entrance due the height barrier. You will need to visit a Recycling Centre which has a weighbridge entrance. This is where council, trade, and high-sided vehicles go.

Important information before you visit

Personal protective equipment

From Saturday 1st June, personal protective equipment must be worn when recycling or disposing of waste at one of the weighbridge facilities.

This includes:
High visibility jacket
Protective footwear
Safety helmet
Protective gloves

If you do not have these items, please stay in your vehicle and speak with a member of staff when you arrive.

Proof of address

You will need to take your most recent council tax bill or utility bill (gas, electric or landline telephone) relating to the property where the asbestos is from. Please note mobile telephone bills are not accepted.

Locations

Raikes Lane, Bolton

Salford Road, Over Hulton, Bolton

Every Street, Bury

Longley  Lane, Sharston, Manchester

Reliance Street, Newton Heath, Manchester

Arkwright Street, Oldham

Chichester Street, Rochdale

Cobden Street, Salford (temporarily closed for maintenance)

Bredbury Parkway, Bredbury, Stockport (temporarily closed for maintenance)

Bayley Street, Stalybridge, Tameside

To book a bulky waste collection

Bolton council offers a chargable collection service for unwanted household items.

Please contact Bolton council directly.

Tel: 01204 336 632

Or book in person at the One Stop Shop in Bolton Town Hall

For more information, please visit the Bolton council website.

If your items are reusable why not donate them instead? There are furniture reuse organisations across Greater Manchester, some which offer a free collection service. To locate your nearest organisation or for more information please visit our Furniture reuse page.

To report a missed bin collection

Please contact Bolton council directly.

Tel: 01204 336 632

Email: wasteandrecycling@bolton.gov.uk

To report fly-tipping on council property

Please contact Bolton council directly.

Tel: 01204 336 632

Email: neighbourhoodservicesinbox@bolton.gov.uk

You can also complete the online form.

To request a new recycling bin or container

Please contact Bolton council directly.

Email: wasteandrecycling@bolton.gov.uk

Tel: 01204 336 632

You can also complete the online order form or order a new recycling bin orcontainer in person at the One Stop Shop in Bolton Town Hall.

How to order more compostable food bags

When you are running low on liners, please tie an empty liner around the handle of your food waste container or green bin on collection day and the crew will leave you a new roll of liners.

You can also visit the One Stop Shop at Bolton Town Hall or the UCAN centres for replacement rolls of liners.

To find out where your nearest UCAN Centre is visit the Bolton council website.