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Plastic bottles

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The types of plastics used to make bottles are easily identifiable so they can be easily sorted into their plastic types for recycling.  Most plastic bottles will be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) with a recycling symbol 1, high density polyethylene (HDPE) with a recycling symbol 2, or polypropylene (PP) with a recycling symbol 5.  Most lids on plastic bottles are made from the same type of plastic as the bottle. This is also true for most spray or pump mechanisms on cleaning and cosmetic bottles.  All of these can be placed in your household recycling bin.

Reduce

Choose refillable products

Reuse

Use as storage containers or arts and crafts projects

Check out how to make a plastic bottle bird feeder by the Natural History Museum 

Recycle - in your household recycling bin

Yes please - If you wash and squash the bottle and put the lid back on it will take up less space in you recycling bin

Important: Plastic bottles that have contained a toxic or poisonous chemical such as garden fertiliser or weed killer should not be placed in your recycling bin.

Refuse bin

No thank you, except for empty plastic bottles that have contained a toxic or poisonous chemical such as garden fertiliser or weed killer

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Last modified on 22 December 2025
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