Rigid plastic recycling scheme expanded to more recycling centres
The rigid plastic recycling scheme is now in place at the following Essex County Council recycling centres*:
- Braintree
- Brentwood
- Burnham-on-Crouch
- Chelmsford
- Chigwell
- Clacton
- Colchester
- Harlow
- Maldon
- Mountnessing
- Rayleigh
- Saffron Walden
- South Woodham Ferrers
- Witham
A wide range of items that cannot be recycled from the kerbside are accepted. This includes: plastic buckets, crates, bins, storage boxes, garden furniture, pipes, toys and plastic plant pots.
This initiative represents an ideal opportunity to recycle even more plastic items that are no longer needed and that cannot be reused. As part of the newly adopted Waste Strategy for Essex, we are committing to stop using landfill by 2030. The rigid plastic recycling scheme is one of the steps taken to help achieve this target.
Since the start of the scheme at eight recycling centres in May 2024, over 64 tonnes of plastics have already been recycled. It is estimated that every 100 tonnes of recycled rigid plastic contributes to avoid 250 tonnes of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of taking 180 cars off the road.
Once collected from the recycling centres, the rigid plastics are taken to a local re-processor. The items go through a series of different processes, including pre-sorting, cleaning, grinding, and sorting based on their polymer types. Ultimately, they will be used to manufacture new plastic products, reducing the need for virgin plastic.
If your rigid plastic item is still in good condition, consider selling it or donating it to someone in the community instead!
*list updated 19 November 2024.