From 14 October 2024 for the first time, residents in the borough of Rochdale will be able to recycle additional plastic items in their mixed recycling bins at home.
The change, which is launched to coincide with National Recycle Week, means you can now recycle many more items, including:
- Plastic pots such as yoghurt, soup, cosmetics
- Plastic tubs such as margarine, laundry powder, chocolates
- Plastic trays including black plastic trays, such as raw and cooked meat, fruit and veg punnets (all items must be clean and empty)
These items can now be recycled thanks to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) upgrading its recycling facilities to allow them to collect and sort a wider range of plastic packaging and their recent contract extension with SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK.
Plastic films like crisp packets, bread bags, pet food pouches and carrier bags, still cannot be recycled. Residents should throw plastic films into their green household bin, where they’ll be burned to generate electricity for the region.
By April 2026, the government requires all councils in England to recycle a consistent set of materials as part of its Simpler Recycling Policy. This means that wherever you live in England you will be able to recycle the same at work and home.
Councillor Tricia Ayrton, deputy leader and portfolio holder for climate change and environment said:
“The ability to recycle more plastic items is a welcome addition, meaning more items can be saved from going into general waste, which is even better for the climate.
“Our recycling rates are extremely positive, and we thank you for helping to keep our borough clean and green.
“We welcome the government’s drive to improve recycling and understand that policies are being introduced to simplify plastic packaging to encourage manufacturers to design packaging out of materials that can be easily recycled.”
Recycling rates published for 2021/22 showed that Greater Manchester is leading the way with household recycling rates rising to over 50 per cent, making it one of the best-performing city-regions in the country. The national average in England is 44 per cent. These additional positive changes to recycling can only help continue this positive trend.