Recycle Plastic Pots, Tubs & Trays | Recycle for Greater Manchester

Why are we now able to recycle pots, tubs and trays?

In July 2024, GMCA extended the waste disposal contracts with SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, (SUEZ UK) until 2034. SUEZ UK operate the waste sorting and treatment plants and run the household waste recycling centres. This provides certainty for making long term changes and means we can invest in our waste technology by upgrading our Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) which sorts and separates the plastic recycling.

Due to changes in government policy it means plastic manufacturers are working towards simplifying packaging and making it easier to recycle, we are confident that over time we will be able to recycle more and more plastics once these policy changes start to improve packaging.

Residents can help by choosing plastic packaging that can be recycled by looking out for the recycling swoosh, making sure it’s clean and empty and doesn’t contain any food or drink residues and placing the plastic in the right bin.

What happens to pots, tubs and trays?

Plastic pots, tubs and trays that you put in your mixed recycling bin along with your plastic bottles, aerosols, foil, foil trays, drink cans, food tins, glass bottles and jars are delivered to our Materials Recovery Facility in Sharston. Here your plastic pots, tubs and trays are separated.

They will be sent to a UK based processor to be recycled into plastic pellets. However, we know that some of the plastic pots, tubs and trays that we collect might not be of a high enough quality or might be contaminated with food so we know that not all of them will end up being recycled.

Due to changes in government policy that is designed to simplify packaging to make it easier to recycle, we are confident that over time we will be able to recycle more and more plastics once these policy changes start to improve packaging.

What do the numbers of the bottom of the plastic containers mean?

The little numbers in a triangle that you see on the bottom of rigid plastics  is a “resin identification code”
The symbol tells you what type of plastic the item is made out of. It does not tell you if it is recyclable or not. The symbol was adopted in the 1980’s before the triangular arrows became  linked to recycling. The numbers range from 1 to 7  and are all different types of plastic, some of which can be recycled easily, but not all of them. Please refer to the information given to you by your Council for what is accepted in your mixed Recycling bin.

Why can’t we recycle soft plastics like plastic bags and film?

In Greater Manchester, we currently only recycle plastic pots, tubs, trays and plastic bottles. Other types of plastic packaging (such as plastic bags, bread bags, film and polystyrene) are made of low-grade plastic or made up of layers of different polymers which are difficult to separate and recycle. For that reason, plastic bags and film are currently collected in the general waste bin, which is sent by rail to an energy from waste plant in Runcorn where it is burned to generate electricity. However, we are planning to collect these types of plastic for recycling in the future once our new materials recovery facility is operational in 2026/27.

Can I recycle lids and bottle tops?

Loose bottle tops fall off the bottles during the separating process and end up in the glass containers which can ruin the glass recycling. If you can easily remove a bottle top we ask that all plastic tops are taken off the and placed in the general waste bin. If the bottle top is attached, make sure it is securely fastened before recycling it. Lids from clean tubs such as butter tubs, ice cream tubs etc can be kept on and recycled in your mixed recycling bin.

Why should I use less plastic?/ How can I use less plastic?

Swap to re-usable or plastic free products- items such as re-usable water bottles, coffee mugs, bags, fruit and veg bags and re-usable containers all help to reduce the amount of plastic you use and throw away. Make sure you know what can be recycled in your bins in your area- in Greater Manchester we currently only recycle plastic pots, tubs, trays and plastics bottles. Reducing how much plastic we use and recycling as much as we possibly can helps to create a healthy more sustainable place to live and can even save you money.

What is hard plastic and why can’t that go in my mixed recycling bin?

Hard plastics such as old plastic garden furniture or children’s toys that are broken or no longer usable can be recycled at your local Recycling Centre. The hard plastics are bulked up and taken to a reprocessor where they are recycled into new plastic products. Hard plastic cannot be recycled in your mixed recycling bin as they are too large and have a different recycling process compared to your plastic pots, tubs, trays and plastic bottles.

I’m worried about my mixed recycling bin might get overloaded, what can I do?

If you stack your plastic pots tubs and trays inside each other in your bins it should take up a lot less space. You can also squash your plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays to make more space in your bin. If you find your mixed recycling bin is still getting full, take a look at our tips for reducing waste or contact your council to see if you can get a bigger bin.

Can I recycle Plastic Pots, Tubs and Trays at the Household waste recycling centres (local tip)?

Yes, plastic pots, tubs and trays can be recycled in the mixed recycling container along with plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, food tins, drink cans, empty aerosols and foil.

I live in a flat or apartment, can I recycle plastic pots, tubs and trays?

Yes, anyone living in a flat or apartment where you share recycling bins with your neighbours, can recycle plastic pots, tubs and trays in the mixed recycling bin. The signage and stickers on the bin may not change straight away but these will be updated over the coming months.