Local Recycling Tips for Hard-to-Recycle Plastics

Sometimes, it feels impossible to completely avoid single-use plastics. From medication blister packs and pet care items to food packaging, plastic sneaks into our lives in ways that are hard to control. The good news? There are plenty of local recycling options beyond your kerbside bin that help keep these items out of landfill and give them a second life.

Here’s a quick guide to where you can take those tricky plastics and other household items in and around our area:

Soft Plastics

Recycling rates for soft plastics aren’t perfect, but there are drop-off points nearby:

• Co-op in town

• Tesco in Cam (large collection bins)

• Sainsbury’s in Dursley

  
  

Blister Packs

If you have unopened or part-used blister packs containing medication, please return them to your pharmacy for safe disposal. For empty blister packs, you can recycle them at any Superdrug store - the nearest are in Stroud and Yate.

Toothbrushes

Old toothbrushes don’t have to end up in the bin. Drop them off at:

• Stroud Valleys Eco Shop

• Superdrug (Stroud)

• Boots (Stroud)

  
  

Contact Lenses

Used contact lenses can be recycled at Armstrong and North Opticians on Long Street.

Make-up Packaging

Superdrug stores in Yate and Stroud offer recycling points for empty make-up containers.

Stationery

Finished with your pens, felt tips, biros or correction fluid? Rymans stores accept any brand of these items for recycling.

Printer Cartridges

Don’t throw away empty cartridges - drop them off at The Keepers.

Foil Balloons and Banners

Card Factory stores now recycle foil balloons and banners. The nearest branches are in Cirencester or Bristol. More info here.

Embrace the Circular Economy

The most sustainable form of recycling is to keep things in use. If you have spare plant pots, clothes hangers, fairy lights or anything else still in good condition, consider giving them away instead of throwing them out. Wotton under Edge has a thriving Freebies Facebook group where you can share or pick up items - saving money and reducing plastic waste at the same time.

Check Before You Bin It

Before tossing something into the black bin, take a moment to check if it could be recycled. You might be surprised by what can be reused or recycled, including:

• Buttons

• Christmas lights

• Clothes hangers

• CDs and DVDs

• Hearing aids and inhalers

• Polystyrene and more

Not sure what goes where? Have a look at the Recycle Now website or see what items are accepted at Horsley Recycling Centre.

Together, these small efforts can make a big difference - helping to reduce waste, protect the environment, and build a more circular local economy.