Recycling plastic

A variety of different types of plastic are used in making plastic bottles and other types of packaging. Not all types of plastic can be collected for recycling in West Lancashire.

West Lancashire Borough Council can only accept plastic bottles in the blue bin (blue box for some residents). Contaminating the blue bin/blue box with other types of plastic could result in the bin/box not being emptied. See table below.

Items that can't go into your blue bin/blue box should be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or placed in your grey bin.

Symbol (usually on the bottom of the container)	Examples	Can I put it in the blue bin / blue box?
Polyethylene Terepthalate	Soft drink bottles Mineral water bottles, Fruit juice containers Cooking oil bottles.
High Density Polyethylene	Milk jugs, Cleaning agents Laundry detergents Bleaching agents Shampoo bottles Washing and shower soaps.
Polypropylene	Pots (yogurt, soup, etc Tubs (margarine, ice cream, etc.) Trays (raw meat or ham trays; take-away trays; fruit /veg trays) Remove any film lids and absorbent pads in the bottom of trays, and put these in your general rubbish Medicine bottles Plastic lids.
Symbols 3, 4, 6 and 7 various types of plastic including: Cling film Carrier bags Credit cards Toys and novelties CD cases and audiocassettes Disposable plates, cups and cutlery Sunglasses iPod cases