Plastic bags and wrapping recycling trial
We are taking part in a trial for the recycling of plastic bags and wrapping.
Around 10,000 properties across the borough have been selected to be part of the trial.
In Bracknell Forest, blue bins are for recycling.
They are collected every 2 weeks.
What goes in your blue bin
Quickly 'wash and squash' recyclable plastics, foil and cartons to reduce contamination and to free up space.
We can collect dry cardboard boxes which will not fit in your blue bin, provided you have cut them to a manageable size no bigger than your bin.
You can now put empty toothpaste tubes in your blue recycling bin.
| Yes | No |
|---|---|
| aerosol canisters – empty | batteries |
| books | coffee pods |
| cans and tins – rinsed food, drink and pet food (labels are OK) | cellophane, plastic film |
| card – cereal boxes, corrugated card, egg boxes, kitchen and toilet roll tubes, flattened boxes | crisp bags |
| cards – greetings cards and Christmas cards (without glitter) | electrical and electronic equipment |
| cartons (Tetrapak) – juice, milk and soup cartons | foil-based wrapping paper |
| catalogues, brochures and directories | food pouches |
| foil and foil trays (rinsed) | food waste |
| junk mail, flyers, letters and envelopes (including window envelopes) | glass |
| newspapers and magazines | metal - cutlery and pots and pans |
| paper – printer paper (white and coloured) | metal - jar lids |
| plastic bottles (rinsed) – drinks, milk, toiletry, detergent, bleach | nappies |
| plastic punnets and trays – fruit punnets, meat trays | paint tins |
| plastic cosmetic pots or tubs | plastic bags including bin bags |
| plastic pots – yoghurt, cream or soup pots | plastic toys and rigid plastics |
| plastic tubs – ice cream and margarine tubs | plastics which are black (other colours are fine) |
| shredded paper (put in a small box, paper bag or wrap in newspaper) | polystyrene |
| toothpaste tubes | textiles – clothes, bedding, duvets |
| wrapping paper (not foil based) | tissues |
Black plastic is not currently recycled as sorting equipment cannot detect the carbon black pigment. Put any black plastic in your green general waste bin.
For more information about plastic recycling, visit the re3 website.
Glass
Glass bin collection will start in autumn 2026.
In the meantime take your glass to your local bottle bank your local bottle bank.
Put your bin out the night before
Make sure your bin is out by 6am on your collection day.
We suggest putting it out the night before.
Report an issue
To report an issue, such as a missed bin, a broken bin, or a missing bin, visit our bin issues page.
Additional collection
If you missed a bin collection, you may want to request an additional bin collection. There is a charge of £35 for this service.
Request an additional collection
Recycling incentive scheme
When you sign up to the recycling incentive scheme, every time we empty your bin 200 points will be added to your account.
You can spend your points on lots of different rewards including sessions at Downshire Golf Complex and Bracknell Leisure Centre.
Find out more about the recycling incentive scheme.