Over 10,000 homes in Bracknell Forest join the plastic bags and wrapping recycling trial from 18th March 2024
The re3 Partnership is pleased to announce expansion of their plastic bags and wrapping collection trial to Bracknell Forest. Plastic items, including plastic bags, confectionery wrappers, crisp packets, plastic film, bubble wrap, and more, will be collected in a separate bag as part of the regular kerbside recycling collections.
From 18 March, 10,000 households in Bracknell Forest will start recycling their plastic bags and wrapping. Residents will need to place all items inside specially provided blue bags, securely tie them with a double knot, and deposit them within their existing recycling bin. All participating households have been notified directly.
Recycled plastic bags and wrapping can be used to manufacture new plastic products such as boxes, bins as well as agricultural and construction materials.
The trial will last until March 2025 and is part of a larger £2.9m Flexible Plastic Fund ‘FlexCollect’ project, with nine local authorities across England. It aims to inform government and industry on how plastic bags and wrapping should be added to existing household collection services. Bracknell Forest’s expansion follows a successful launch in Reading Borough in September 2023.
Cllr Helen Purnell, Bracknell Forest Council’s Executive Member for the Environment and Community Cohesion commented:
“We are delighted to announce the trial in Bracknell Forest, offering 10,000 households the opportunity to participate and contribute to this important initiative. Plastic bags and wrapping pose a significant challenge to the industry, and their recycling is limited to supermarket front-of-store collection points. This opportunity will help us increase the amount of plastic we can recycle and marks another step forward to achieving our net-zero ambitions. We invite all selected households to follow the provided instructions so we can gather valuable insights. This will help us explore optimal collection methods for soft plastics, which we can hopefully provide to all residents in the future.”
