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What to do with

Foil

Want to recycle foil?
Clean household foil and aluminium trays are widely recycled in household collection schemes and at recycling points. To find your nearest recycling facilities for foil and foil trays use our handy Recycling Locator tool.
Find your nearest foil recycling points

How to recycle foil

  • Rinse or wipe off any crumbs or food residue from foil trays. To rinse just dunk the tray in the washing up water - no need to run the tap.
  • Scrunch kitchen foil, tub and pot lids and wrappers together to form a ball - the bigger the ball, the easier it is to recycle.

As well as foil, you can usually recycle these other aluminium items:

  • Drinks cans
  • Screw top lids from wine bottles (recycle with the bottle - the cap can be left on)
  • Takeaway containers and barbeque trays.

How to recycle a foil tray

Are crisp packets recyclable?

No - there are a few packaging items such as crisp packets that can look like aluminium foil but are actually made from metallised plastic film. This type of material is not currently recycled and should be put in your rubbish bin.

Do the scrunch test to check whether your shiny wrapper is aluminium foil or plastic film: scrunch the wrapper in your hand - if it springs back open it’s not recyclable foil.
Do the scrunch test!
Can you put foil and foil trays in your home recycling?
Enter your postcode to check

What to do with...

  • All items
  • Popular items
  • Aerosols
  • Christmas decorations & packaging
  • Clothing & textiles
  • Electrical items
  • Furniture
  • Glass bottles & jars
  • Plastic bottles
  • Plastic film & carrier bags

Related websites

Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation

Related content


Find out how to recycle:

Food and drink cartons

Food and drink pouches

Pizza boxes

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The Waste and Resources Action Programme (which operates as WRAP) is a registered UK Charity No. 1159512 and registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No. 4125764.

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