Since August 2004, over 70 plastic bottle recycling bank sites have been placed in Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire. Peterborough City, Fenland and Huntingdonshire continue to collect plastic bottles in their kerbside collections. Last year in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough we recycled 4,430 tonnes of plastic bottles but landfilled over 9,000 tonnes of plastic bottles that could have been recycled.

Plastic facts:

  • There are 30 different common types of plastics
  • Three types (that make plastic bottles) can be recycled in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
  • Recycling just one plastic bottle saves enough energy to power a 60W bulb for six hours
  • It takes 25 two-litre bottles to make one adult size fleece

What happens to my plastic bottles?

  • Plastic bottles are collected, squashed and baled
  • The bales are sent to recycling plants in the UK and abroad
  • At the recycling plant the bottles are sorted, shredded or granulated and cleaned
  • The flakes or granules are then melted and moulded or spun to make new products

Buy recycled -recycled plastic has many uses.

It is important to buy products made from recycled materials to keep the markets alive!

Here are some examples of products made from recycled plastics: Rulers, cup coasters, key rings, ice scrapers, desk top accessories, seed trays, refuse sacks, bottles, water and sewer pipes, flooring, fibre-fill duvets, audio, video and compact disc cassette cases, fencing and garden furniture, office accessories and building insulation board. PET bottles can be made into fleece jackets, hats and gloves.

Frequently asked Questions

Q) How can I reduce the amount of plastic I use?

A) There are several ways you can do this:

  • Try to buy an alternative product that is packaged in reusable or recyclable containers.
  • Use lunch boxes and reusable sandwich bags rather than shrink-wrap.
  • Reuse plastic shopping bags; better still use a plastic 'bag for life' or a cotton shopping bag. (Use Ask a question form to request one).
  • Buy goods, such as fruit and veg, loose where possible rather than pre-packed. Shopping at your local market will help and you may find locally produced food too!

Q) How can I recycle plastic bottles?

A)
Cambridge City: Please use blue box or recycling banks.
East Cambridgeshire: Please use recycling banks.
South Cambridgeshire: Please use recycling banks.
Fenland: Please use your blue bin or clear sack.
Peterborough: Please use your Green bin.
Huntingdonshire: please use your blue bin, green box, or clear sack.

Q) How do I know which types of plastic to recycle?

A) Plastic bottles are the only type pf containers that can be collected by your local council. This includes, drinks, toiletries and cleaning products. To see the types of plastic you can recycle, download the plastics leaflet.

Q) Why do the councils only collect plastic bottles?

A) Local councils have to consider both environmental and financial factor when collecting materials and can only collect materials for which there are markets, other wise they will not be recycled! The current market is focused on bottles.

Q) Can bottle tops be recycled?

A) No. Please remove the lids and squash the bottles. The tops are made from a different type of plastic and there are no markets for them at present.

Q) Do I have to squash the bottles and why?

A) Uncrushed bottles will still be collected, but as bottles are lightweight and bulky, squashing them means more can fit into you box, bin or recycling bank and it will prevent them blowing away!