Soft plastics: bags, film and wrappers
Updated 14 Oct 2026
Soft plastic is any plastic you can scrunch in your hand: carrier bags, bread bags, crisp packets, cling film, bubble wrap, salad bags and food pouches.
Whether it goes in your recycling bin depends on your council, and the rules are changing. Each item below links to its own page, where you can choose your council and see its exact rule.
Can soft plastics go in your recycling bin?
In most places, not yet. Many councils still ask you to keep it out of your recycling bin, though some already collect it from home, often in a separate bag.
England: councils must eventually collect plastic film from homes, but the deadline has been put back to April 2030. Until your council starts, use a supermarket collection point.
Scotland: most councils don't collect film yet, and home collections are being rolled out.
Wales: some councils already collect plastic bags and wrapping from home, and all are due to by 2027.
Northern Ireland: councils don't take plastic bags or film in recycling bins. Use a supermarket collection point, or your general waste.
Supermarket collection points
Many larger supermarkets have a soft plastics collection point, usually near the entrance or the tills. They take most of the items below, but check the sign on the bin first: some don't take everything.
Make sure each piece is empty and dry. A bag with food left in it can spoil the rest.
- Plastic carrier bagUsually: Drop-off point
- Bread bagUsually: Drop-off point
- Crisp packetUsually: Drop-off point
- Sweet or chocolate bar wrapperUsually: Drop-off point
- Shiny wrapper (foil or plastic?)Usually: Drop-off point
- Cling filmUsually: Drop-off point
- Bubble wrapUsually: Drop-off point
- Salad, veg or frozen food bagUsually: Drop-off point
- Plastic film lidUsually: Drop-off point
- Pet food pouchUsually: Drop-off point
- Food pouch or refill pouchUsually: Drop-off point
- Plastic wrapper or filmUsually: Drop-off point
Plastics that look soft but aren't collected
Black bin bags and net bags for fruit aren't taken at collection points. Compostable or biodegradable packaging isn't collected with soft plastics either, and it usually goes in your general waste.
- Bin bag or sackUsually: General waste
- Fruit or vegetable net bagUsually: General waste
- Compostable or biodegradable packagingUsually: General waste
Using less of it
The surest way to keep soft plastic out of your general waste bin is to buy less of it. Take your own bags, buy loose fruit and veg where you can, and reuse sandwich and freezer bags.
Common questions
Can plastic bags go in the recycling bin?
Usually not yet. Most councils ask you to take carrier bags to a supermarket collection point, but some now collect them from home. See plastic carrier bags and choose your council.
Can you recycle crisp packets?
Yes, at many supermarket soft plastics points, and in some councils' home collections. See crisp packets.
Is cling film recyclable?
Clean cling film can go to a supermarket soft plastics point, or in your recycling if your council collects film. Film with food stuck to it goes in your general waste. See cling film.
When will councils in England collect soft plastics?
Under Simpler Recycling, councils in England must collect plastic film from homes by April 2030. Some already do. Until yours starts, use a supermarket collection point.
How councils compare
Sources
Each item's answer above comes from the national guidance in our data. Your council's own rules can differ: choose your council on any item page, or check its website.