The new household items Greater Manchester residents can now recycle at home

A new service from Greater Manchester councils is set to revolutionise home recycling across the county.

The concept of recycling has well and truly become part of our everyday lives as an easy way to do our bit to help the planet.

But that doesn't mean it's always simple, with certain items unable to go into our home recycling bins.

Fortunately, from October 14, 2024, councils in Greater Manchester will start the collection of plastic pots, tubs, and trays in residents' mixed recycling bins.

This is in addition to the items you currently recycle, such as plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, food tins, drinks and food cans, and aerosols.

Thanks to the new introduction, you can now also recycle plastic pots, tubs, and trays.

For example, the pots you might recycle include items such as yoghurt, soup, and toiletries; tubs could be margarine tubs, laundry powder, or chocolates; and plastic trays include raw and cooked meat trays, and fruit and veg punnets.

But remember, all items must be clean and empty as food and products left in recycling items cause contamination and can damage the equipment and machinery.

While the new initiative will increase the amount you can recycle at home and make it even easier to be eco-friendly, rest assured that you'll still have enough space in your mixed recycling bin.

Pots, tubs, and trays are easy to stack together before putting in your bin, saving space for the rest of your recycling.

As previously, plastic film, carrier bags, crisp packets, toothpaste tubes, or pet food pouches aren't accepted - however, you can recycle many soft plastics at some supermarkets.

There are real benefits that can be achieved by wasting less, recycling more, and recycling right.

Recycle for Greater