Skip to main content
  • About us
  • Events
  • News
  • Partners
  • FAQs

Search form

Main menu

  • Home
  • What to do with...
    • Popular items
    • Aerosols
    • Batteries
    • Clothing & textiles
    • Electrical items
    • Face coverings (masks) and PPE
    • Mobile phones
    • Plastic film & carrier bags
    • All items
  • Local recycling
  • Recycling knowledge
    • Getting started
    • How is it recycled?
    • Recycling around your home
    • Recycling from the bathroom
    • Food recycling
    • Recycling symbols explained
    • Facts and info
    • Northern Ireland
    • Recycle Week campaign
  • Reduce waste
    • 5 easy steps to reduce waste
    • Buying habits
    • Repair and re-use
    • Packaging and storage
    • Donate, sell and swap
    • Junk mail
    • Composting

What to do with

Plastic bottles

Want to recycle plastic bottles?
Plastic bottles are widely collected by local authorities across the UK. You can also take them to recycling facilities. Enter your postcode below to check if you can recycle plastic bottles at home.
Enter your postcode

What types of plastic bottles can I recycle?

Yes pleaseNo thanks
All clear and coloured plastic bottles from around the homePlastic bottles containing chemicals (e.g. anti-freeze)
Detergent and soap bottles (minus the pump)Anything that is NOT a plastic bottle
Cleaning product bottles (e.g. bathroom cleaners, bleach) (Triggers can be left on)
Skin care product bottles 
Shampoo and shower gel bottles 
Fizzy and non-fizzy drinks and water bottles 
Milk bottles 
Ready-to-use plant food and pesticides bottles (check the label) 

How to recycle plastic bottles

  • Replace lids and tops. If they stay on the container they will get recycled.
  • Squash bottles to save space.
  • Empty and rinse bottles. Left over foods or liquids can contaminate other recyclables and if bottles contain liquid they may not be recycled as deemed too heavy by the automated sorting process. Liquid can also damage the machinery.
  • Leave on labels - these will be removed in the process.

Did you know?

It is estimated that an average of 35.8 million plastic bottles are used EVERY DAY in the UK, but only 19.8 million are recycled each day. This means there are on average 16 million plastic bottles a day not making their way into the recycling bin.

Plastics - how are they recycled?

  • Triggers can be left on when recycling cleaning product bottles such as bathroom cleaners.
  • But soap bottles pumps need to be removed and disposed of in the rubbish bin.
Tips for recycling plastic bottles

What to do with...

  • Popular items
  • Aerosols
  • Batteries
  • Clothing & textiles
  • Electrical items
  • Face coverings (masks) and PPE
  • Mobile phones
  • Plastic film & carrier bags
  • All items

Related content

Find out how to recycle:

  • Food and drink cartons
  • Food and drink pouches
  • Plastic plant pots
  • Plastic carrier bags
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Register for useful recycling news and tips delivered straight to your inbox

Around the UK

  • Recycle Now
  • Recycle for Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Wales Recycles
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & conditions
  • Community guidelines
  • Cookies
  • Contact

Brought to you by WRAP

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.

Registered office at Second Floor, Blenheim Court, 19 George Street, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 5BH.