Find places to recycle plastic bottles and containers near you
Empty household plastic bottles and accepted rigid containers from food, drink, cleaning and toiletries.
Other names include drinks bottles, plastic bottles, plastic containers.
Find a nearby place for plastic bottles and containers
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Collection and take-back services
Use these services if no nearby place lists plastic bottles and containers.
How to recycle plastic bottles and containers
Empty and rinse bottles, squash them and replace the lids. Leave labels on.
Prepare plastic bottles and containers for recycling
- Empty and rinse
- Squash to save space
- Replace lids when local guidance accepts them
What must stay out
Keep these items separate and check the site rules before you travel.
- Bottles that held paint, oil or hazardous chemicals need a separate check
- Reusable bottles should use their return scheme
- Pumps and trigger heads may need removal
Types of site to check
These site types can list plastic bottles and containers. Each provider sets its own limits and access rules.
- Recycling centres and tips
Council recycling centres accept many types of household waste. Check the council rules for booking, permits, proof of address, vehicle access and charges before travel.
- Local recycling sites
Small recycling points for selected materials. They are often in supermarket, council or community car parks, and each site has its own accepted list.
- Bring banks and recycling points
Small public recycling sites with separate containers for selected materials. They are often in supermarket, council and community car parks.
- Household waste recycling centres
Council-run sites that accept many types of household recycling and waste. Local rules can cover booking, proof of address, vehicle permits and charges for some DIY waste.
Related item guides
- Beauty and grooming packaging
Empty makeup, skincare, haircare and grooming containers made from mixed materials.
- Household chemicals
Unwanted household cleaners, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals and similar products.
- Plastic pots, tubs and trays
Empty food pots, margarine tubs, meat trays, fruit punnets and similar rigid plastic packaging.
Questions about recycling plastic bottles and containers
- Where can I recycle plastic bottles and containers?
- Enter your postcode in the local finder to search recycling centres and tips and local recycling sites and bring banks and recycling points and household waste recycling centres near you. Check the provider page before you travel because item lists and access rules can change.
- How should I prepare plastic bottles and containers for recycling?
- Empty and rinse bottles, squash them and replace the lids. Leave labels on.
Sources for this guide
- Simpler recycling: household recycling in England
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Reviewed 14 August 2026
- Recycle an item
Recycle Now · Reviewed 14 August 2026