Most plastic bags and soft plastic wrappers cannot go in your kerbside recycling bin — they need to go to a supermarket front-of-store collection point instead. A small number of councils have begun collecting soft plastics at the kerbside, but this is still the exception rather than the rule across the UK.
Why soft plastics are not accepted in most home recycling bins
Soft plastics — also called flexible plastics or plastic film — wrap around rollers and jam the sorting machinery at standard materials recovery facilities (MRFs). This is why most UK councils ask you to keep them out of your blue or mixed recycling bin, even though the material itself is technically recyclable.
The category covers a wide range of everyday packaging. If you can scrunch it into a ball and it stays scrunched, it is almost certainly a soft plastic:
- Carrier bags and shopping bags
- Bread bags and frozen food bags
- Crisp packets and sweet wrappers
- Salad bags, cucumber wrap and other produce film
- Pasta and rice bags
- Bubble wrap and postal bags
- Cling film and shrink wrap
- Resealable zip-lock food bags
For a broader guide to what goes where, see our full rundown of what can be recycled in the UK.
Where to recycle soft plastics: supermarket drop-off points
The main recycling route for soft plastics in the UK is the front-of-store collection bin found at many supermarkets. You bring a bag of clean, dry soft plastics with you on your next shop and drop them off before you enter.
Several major supermarkets currently operate these schemes, including Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Co-op. Availability varies by store size and location, so it is worth checking the retailer's website or asking in store before making a special trip. Here is a rough overview:
| Supermarket | Drop-off available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tesco | Yes — large stores | Accepts most soft plastics including crisp packets and salad bags |
| Sainsbury's | Yes — most stores | Must be clean and dry; remove food residue and sticky labels |
| Co-op | Yes — participating stores | Accepts soft plastics from any retailer or brand |
| Aldi / Lidl | Selected stores only | Check your local branch |
| Waitrose | Selected stores only | Check your local branch |
Always check the collection bin's accepted items list — most schemes require items to be clean, dry and free from food residue. A quick rinse and air-dry before packing them away makes all the difference.
Is kerbside soft plastic collection coming to your area?
Change is on the way. Under the UK Government's Simpler Recycling reforms, English local authorities are required to introduce kerbside plastic film collection by March 2027. Some councils are already ahead of the curve — North Somerset, Solihull, and Vale of Glamorgan have launched schemes, and trials are running in Swansea, Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, among others.
As of mid-2026, however, only a minority of councils collect soft plastics at the kerbside. Check your own council's website to find out whether your area is already running a scheme, piloting one, or still awaiting the 2027 rollout. Do not put soft plastics in your recycling bin until you have confirmed your council accepts them — when in doubt, use the supermarket drop-off route.
For authoritative guidance on what counts as recyclable packaging, the Recycle Now website lets you search by material type and postcode.
Carrier bag recycling: a quick note
Plain plastic carrier bags are one of the easiest soft plastics to recycle because they are usually clean and a single material. Most supermarket drop-off bins accept them. Many stores also have a dedicated carrier bag recycling point near the entrance separate from the wider soft plastics bin. Used carrier bags from any retailer can usually go into these points, not just bags from that particular chain — but do check the signage to be sure.
Tips for building a soft plastic recycling habit
- Keep a dedicated bag in your kitchen or utility room. Collect clean, dry soft plastics throughout the week rather than sorting them at the last minute.
- Rinse and dry before storing. Any food residue can contaminate the whole collection bag and mean it gets rejected or sent to landfill.
- Take it on your regular shop. Drop the bag at the supermarket collection point as you arrive — you will never forget because you are already there.
- Do not wish-cycle. If you are not sure whether something is soft plastic, check the on-pack recycling label (OPRL). It will say "Recycle at front-of-store" if the drop-off route applies.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put plastic bags in the recycling bin at home?
In most parts of the UK, no. Plastic bags and other soft plastics jam sorting machinery and are not accepted in standard kerbside recycling bins. A small but growing number of councils are beginning to collect them at the kerbside as part of the Simpler Recycling programme, but you should check with your own council before putting them in your recycling bin. The safest route for most households is still the supermarket front-of-store drop-off point.
Which supermarkets have soft plastic recycling collection points?
Tesco (large stores), Sainsbury's (most stores), and Co-op (participating stores) all run soft plastic drop-off schemes. Some Aldi, Lidl, and Waitrose branches also have collection points. Availability varies by store, so check the retailer's website or ask in store. Items must be clean and dry before you drop them off.
What soft plastics can be recycled at supermarket drop-off points?
Accepted items typically include carrier bags, bread bags, frozen food bags, produce film, crisp packets, pasta bags, bubble wrap, and resealable zip-lock bags. Items must be clean, dry, and free from food residue. Always check the label on the collection bin, as exact lists vary between retailers.
When will kerbside soft plastic recycling be available across the UK?
Under the Simpler Recycling legislation, English local authorities must offer kerbside plastic film collection by March 2027. Some councils have already launched or are trialling schemes ahead of that deadline. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own separate arrangements — check your local council for the latest in your area.
