Plastics recycling
Here in the Horsham District we have an impressive track record in recycling thanks to the great work residents have done to improve their recycling. In fact we currently have the highest rate of recycling in West Sussex!
Recycling the plastics we use (or better still buying less or going plastic free) is critical for protecting our environment and helping to minimise climate change.
Almost all plastics are made from chemicals that come from the production of fuels including gas, oil and even coal - so contributing to global warming. Plastic also remains in the environment for ages, threatening wildlife and spreading toxins.
There are several ways to recycle your plastics:
1. Through your blue top household recycling bin
Through your blue top household recycling bin you can recycle a wide range of materials including all plastic bottles, plastic pots, and plastic food trays.
Horsham District Council CAN recycle:
All plastic bottles can be recycled (INCLUDING the bottle tops if they are attached to the bottles!) as well as all plastic pots e.g. yoghurt post, all plastic tubes e.g. ice cream, all plastic food trays e.g. food and meat, all plastic lids e.g. container and jar lids. Plastic bottle tops including trigger sprays, Tetra Pak, carton and milk bottle lids as long as they are attached to squashed empty bottles.
We CANNOT recycle:
Plastic films, plastic bags, crisp packets and wrappers, polystyrene, plastic toys or garden plastics. Hard plastics however can now be taken to your local recycling centre.
Find out what plastics you can and can't put in your recycling bin
To check specific products that can/can't be recycled please see
West Sussex County Council's Recycling A-Z guide
Looking for a handy reminder of what you can recycle in your blue top household recycling bin?
Order a free information sticker for your bin
2. By taking your plastics to your local recycling centre
If your blue top bin is already full, the recycling centre takes the same types of plastics that are recyclable in your home recycling bin.
Find your nearest recycling centre
3. Drop off other single use plastics at local collection points
For those plastic items that can’t be collected it's now easier to recycle through other ways. These include things like food pouches, chocolate bar wrappers, empty crisp packets, bread bags, and other plastic bags and wrapping. Sussex Green Living work with a number of charities and companies, including TerraCycle, who recycle those hard-to-recycle plastics that you cannot recycle at home. This scheme helps divert unwanted household plastics from being discarded in our rubbish bins, recycling them to make new products.
Find your nearest plastic drop off location in Horsham District
Supermarkets
Tesco, Sainsburys and the Co-op also now accept soft plastic packaging for recycling. More supermarket chains may also follow suit – ask at your local supermarket - and if they don’t, encourage them to start! Recycle Now have a Recycling Locator tool on their website to help you find your nearest participating stores.
Top 10 tips for reducing our reliance on single-use plastics
- Carry a reusable bag with you for those unexpected purchases and keep one in your car.
- Where possible buy loose fruit and vegetables.
- Take a reusable cup with you when buying a takeaway hot drink.
- Use a lunch box instead of wrapping food in clingfilm.
- Find refill stores where you can take your own container to refill your household items (For example The Natural Way, opened in Horsham in 2019).
- Look out for plastic free cotton buds and straws.
- Find public water fountains / free water refill stations when you are out and about.
- Bar soap works just as well as bottled liquid soap but saves plastic. Look out for ones packaged in paper as this can be popped in the recycling bin.
- If you are preparing for an event try to avoid throw away cable ties and use reusable ones instead. These can be untied and don’t have to be cut apart.
- If you are going to a picnic or outside meet-up remember to bring cutlery from home. Simply wrap it in a cloth and pack it ready to go. Say goodbye to single-use plastic cutlery.
You making a small change will collectively make a massive difference to our communities and the planet.