What to do with your plastic

PLASTIC
Plastic is a complex material. It has both good and bad qualities.

  • Plastic which can be used over and over again is considered good, e.g. a Tupperware container, a plastic storage box, etc.
  • Single use plastic is considered bad, e.g. plastic cutlery, plastic straws, etc

N.B. The syringe which delivers the Covid vaccine is made from plastic and is single use BUT most would consider this a good thing.  

Managing your plastic
First and foremost we need to avoid plastic where possible by following the waste hierarchy which is a way of prioritizing our management of waste: 

1. Refuse  2. Reduce  3. Reuse  4. Recycle  5. Recover

Recycling plastic in Brighton & Hove
These are the three core recycling opportunities in the city. Follow the link to see a description of what each organisation can accept.

Flexible plastic recycling in supermarkets
In the last 12 months supermarkets have started to offer flexible plastic recycling BUT what are they doing with it and what will they accept? Here's what we know so far;

  • Aldi - provide a statement but can't find a clear list of what they accept or where it gets processed.
  • Asda - still undergoing research
  • Co-op - the Co-op have been very transparent about their flexible plastic packaging. Their website gives very detailed information about what they accept and it is recycled in the UK by Jayplas. 
  • Iceland - still undergoing research
  • Lidl - provide a statement but can't find a clear list of what they axccepot or where it gets processed.
  • M & S - M & S provide a list of the flexible plastic they accept. Despite numerous phone calls and emails we are unable to find out where they send their plastic for processing.
  • Morrisons - have great plans for flexible plastic recycling BUT we have been unable to find out if this is up and running yet.
  • Nisa - still undergoing research
  • Tesco - through the work of investigative journalist, Conor McGlone, it is our understanding that the plastic ends up in Poland. Read more here.
  • Sainsbury's - through the work of investigative journalist, Conor McGlone, it is our understanding that the plastic ends up in Poland. Read more here.
  • Waitrose - still undergoing research

More about plastic
Here are some additional resources if you would like to learn more about plastic;