Where to take plastic packaging

Find the best recycling, take-back or collection option for plastic packaging using bottle banks and local recycling sites and soft-plastic drop-offs.

Use this page to choose the best option for plastic packaging using bottle banks and local recycling sites or soft-plastic drop-offs, then check the key rules before you travel.

Helpful notes for this item

• 1,466 mapped places currently match plastic packaging on Binmap.
• The main place types for this item are local recycling sites, soft-plastic drop-offs, and recycling centres.
• The mapped results most often resolve through glass bottle banks, local recycling sites, and clothes and textile banks.
• Accepted-material wording on the mapped results most often mentions Plastic packaging, Glass bottles and jars, Small electricals, and Clothes.
• 3 scheme or service pages are linked directly for this item.

Last checked: 26 Apr 2026

Sources: source pages

Coverage: 4 related schemes

National guidance

Best option for where to take plastic packaging

• Where to take plastic packaging pages start with the item itself, then show the usual destination types, linked services and mapped examples.
• 1,466 mapped places currently match plastic packaging on Binmap.
• The main place types for this item are local recycling sites, soft-plastic drop-offs, and recycling centres.
• The mapped results most often resolve through glass bottle banks, local recycling sites, and clothes and textile banks.

What the linked sources say

• This guide starts with official and scheme guidance for plastic packaging, then uses nearby results to show the closest practical drop-off or collection options.
• Useful linked schemes on this page include Recycle Now locator, Sheffield local recycling sites, and Recycle Now soft-plastics guidance.
• Check the linked guidance before travelling if the item has safety, retailer take-back or booking rules.

How to use this page

1. Separate soft films from rigid pots, tubs and trays before you look for a route.
2. Keep packaging clean enough for the chosen scheme and remove obvious food residue where practical.
3. Check whether the nearest route is a supermarket film drop-off or a local bring site that lists rigid plastic packaging.

Common mistakes

• Do not assume all plastic packaging goes in the same bag just because the material is labelled plastic.

Place types

• Local recycling sites
• Soft-plastic drop-offs
• Recycling centres

Related item guides

• Soft plastics
• Plastic pots, tubs and trays

Related categories

• Soft-plastic and film recycling

Featured services

• Recycle Now locator
• Sheffield local recycling sites
• Recycle Now soft-plastics guidance
• Recycle Now plastic pots, tubs and trays guidance

Useful external guidance

• Recycle Now plastic bags and wrapping
• Recycle Now plastic pots, tubs and trays