What is Simpler Recycling?
The government has introduced Simpler Recycling as a way to improve recycling rates across England, to reach a 65% recycling target by 2035.
The Simpler Recycling legislation means that recycling collections will become more consistent so that everyone can recycle the same core materials wherever they live in England.
What does this mean for me?
This is great news, as you can now recycle all of these items at home:
- Plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays and tubes
- Paper and card
- Tins, cans and aerosols
- Clean foil and metal food trays
- Cartons and Tetra Pak
Just follow these simple steps:
- Rinse out your items and replace all lids, including trigger and pump sprays. For tubes, squeeze out as much as possible - no need to rinse
- Make sure your items are clean and dry
- Pop your items in the recycling bin (loose)
Please do not put loose trigger or pump sprays in the recycling bin.
Remember, glass bottles and jars go in your separate glass recycling container.
Can I put plastic bags and wrapping in my recycling bin?
No, we are currently unable to recycle plastic bags and bubble wrap, as they are low-grade plastics and often get tangled around the sorting machinery, causing problems. Please try to reuse them, recycle at your local supermarket, or put them in your general waste bin.
The good news is that under the new Simpler Recycling regulations, plastic bags and wrapping will be collected from 2027.
What about black plastic?
Black plastic still belongs in your general waste. Black plastic is invisible to the near-infrared sorting machinery used to process recycling, so it is excluded from the new Simper Recycling regulations.
Thankfully, manufacturers have made significant steps to remove non-recyclable black plastic from their packaging, moving to clear plastic, which makes recycling even easier. However, it can still be used for some items, like plastic plant pots or ready meal trays.
If you do have black plastic waste, it needs to go into your general waste bin.
Has this changed where my recycling is sorted?
No. Your recycling is still sent to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Mansfield where it is sorted and then sent for reprocessing.
When are food waste collections starting?
Nottinghamshire districts and boroughs have a transitional arrangement in place with Defra, which means that food waste collections will start in Nottinghamshire in October 2027. This will be a free weekly food waste collection.
Some of the districts and boroughs in Nottinghamshire are going to do trials of food waste collections. You will be notified by your district or borough council if your area has been selected to take part in the trials.
For more information on this, please contact your district or borough council.
Recycling centre opening times
All of our recycling centres are now open from 8am to 8pm until the end of September. We appreciate your patience if you’re visiting at peak times during the summer months and we ask you to please remember our site rules:
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Register your vehicle before visiting your local recycling centre
- Make sure to wear sensible footwear
- Children and animals must stay in your vehicle at all times
- Ask a member of staff if you need any help
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