What types of bags and plastic film can be recycled in Exeter?

Published: 24 August 2021

Not all Bags and plastic film can be recycled in Exeter.  Find out what to put in your green bin below, and what should not go in your green bin.

• PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS can be recycled in your green bin. They will be recycled (in the UK) into sacks for use in Exeter's litter bins and sweeper barrows.
• BREAD BAGS AND TOILET ROLL PACKAGING can also be recycled in your green bin, as above.
• BUBBLE WRAP can go in your green bin. Please make sure the bubble wrap is not in small bits before you recycle it. If it is, wrap the pieces in other bubble wrap or put them inside a polythene bag.
• CHEESE BAGS (RESEALABLE) can go in your green bin, however they are small and may not be picked off the recycling line. Alternatively, they can be taken to a supermarket soft-plastics collection point.
• CHEESE WRAPPERS (BLOCKS OF CHEDDAR, ETC.) should go to a supermarket soft-plastics collection point (but not clingfilm).
• CLINGFILM cannot be recycled either at home or at supermarkets.
• BISCUIT/CONFECTIONARY WRAPPERS cannot go in your green bin, but can go to supermarket soft-plastic collection points.
• SALAD BAGS AND OTHER CRINKLY BAGS cannot go in your green bin, but they can go to supermarket collection points.
• PASTA AND RICE PACKETS cannot go in your green bin, but they can go to supermarket collection points.
• CLEAR FILM LIDS, including those from ready-meal trays, cannot go in your green bin. Again, you can take them to soft-plastics collection points at supermarkets.
• BAKERY WRAP, such as the thin and easily ripped stuff used for bread baked in supermarkets, cannot be recycled either at home or at supermarket collection points.
• CRISP PACKETS, pet food pouches and any plastic film with a foil lining cannot be recycled in your green bin, but can go to SOME supermarket collection points. Check with the supermarket first.
• MULTIPACK CRISP OUTER-BAGS cannot go in your green bin, but can go to a supermarket collection point.
• COMPOSTABLE/BIODEGRADABLE BAGS cannot be recycled in your green bin or through a supermarket soft-plastics collection scheme. These bags are not recyclable with other plastics. (If you live in an area with food waste collections, be aware that these bags will only break down in food waste that is sent to in-vessel composting facilities. All food waste from relevant collecting authorities in Devon goes to anaerobic digestion, which doesn't break down bioplastic.)

As a final thought: the bags/films you can recycle through your green bin in Exeter will remain in the UK and Exeter will benefit from the sale of the material. You'll need to check with the supermarket to find out where they send their soft plastics and what the material will be recycled into.