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Materials A-Z


Materials A-Z

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Packaging

Reduce packaging use wherever possible i.e. consider buying loose products or products with minimal, reusable or recyclable packaging. Visit our packaging pages for more information


Packed lunches

Try not to over package packed lunches. Use refillable food and drink containers, and do not include individually wrapped sweets and snacks.


Paint

Use environmentally friendly paint wherever possible.
Paint MUST NOT be poured down the drain. Please take it your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) for disposal.

There are a limited number of community re-paint schemes working across Greater Manchester that may take full or part used paints.  (More information coming soon)


Paper

Can be recycled in you mixed paper and card recycling container or taken to paper banks at the Household Waste Recycling Centres.


Plasterboard

From 1 April 2009, new legislation came into force that requires the seperation of gypsum based products including plasterboard for disposal. This is because of the potential for this product to produce a high percentage of sulphur whilst it biodegrades within a landfill site.

Because of this legislation we must provide separate containers on our facilities to ensure that we adhere to the legislation and any householder bringing in products that are suspected to contain gypsum will be asked to use these separate containers.
 

We have designated 8 sites across the Greater Manchester area that will accept and dispose of this waste.

These are:


Plastic bags

Plastic carrier bags cannot be recycled within your household collections or at Household Waste Recycling Centrs. The only type of plastic that we currently recycle in Greater Manchester is plastic bottles, Please see 'plastics' for more information

Say ‘no’ to unwanted plastic carrier bags and use a bag for life, these are readily available now at most supermarkets and large chain stores for a low cost, come in a variety of styles and designs and can be used over and over again.

Single use carrier bags can be recycled at some of the major supermarkets. The best thing though, is to reuse them as often as possible.
 


Plastics

Across Greater Manchester we recycle plastic bottles only. These can be put into your recycling container at home, or taken to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre, or bring bank. 

Download  our plastics leaflet for more information about plastic recycling in your area.

Why Only Plastic Bottles?

We are not able to take any other types of plastic such as yoghurt pots, food trays, margarine tubs, plastic bags and other plastic containers because they are made from low grade plastic. Low grade plastics melt at different temperatures than plastic bottles and this means that they cannot be recycled together.


For example, a bottle and a food tray both made of the same type of plastic will not be of the same grade and will behave differently when they are recycled, as they melt at different temperatures. Our technology cannot sort between the different grade of plastics, and so they can’t be recycled together.


Polystyrene/foam chips

Reuse where possible i.e. for packaging, beanbags or drainage in plant pots. Otherwise dispose of it in the household bin or take to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.


Pottery

Charity shops may be interested in certain items, see your local directory for charity shop details. Reuse your pottery in the bottom of plant pots fro drainage. Pottery can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.


Pyrex

Pyrex can not be recycled with glass bottle and jar collections,other glass items such as window glass or pyrex are of a different quality and melt at different temperatures. This effects the efficiency of the glass recycling process and the quality of the end product which needs to be high for new glass bottles and jars.
Pyrex can be taken to your Household Waste Recycling Centre.