plastic bags

[sambro]

are you allowed to put them in the recycling bins which our dear salford council have provided us with?

[Hawkwalk]

http://www.salford.gov.uk/salford_cc_wheeled_b ins.jpg

all you need here

[sambro]

thanks hawkwalk, but according to that website, i cant dispose of them in the bins

[wired]

Why not take to a supermarket recycling bin?

[Buenchico]

Many carrier bags are bio-degradable and they've already started to break down before they can be recycled. This makes them unsuitable for recycling, as they can jam the automated machinery.

The usual advice given by local authorities is:

1. Try to avoid using carrier bags at all. Buy one or more proper shopping bags and take them to the supermarket.
2. If you do acquire some carrier bags, re-use them by taking them with you the next time you go to the supermarket.
3. If you still end up with some carrier bags that you can't re-use, put them to good use by using them instead of pedal bin liners or to wrap food waste.
4. If all else fails, put them in the 'rubbish' bin, rather than the recycling bin.

Many major cities (e.g. Paris and San Francisco) have now banned carrier bags. Some entire countries (e.g. Tanzania) have either already banned carrier bags, or are planning to do so. There are proposals for London to ban these bags and other councils (e.g. West Sussex) have already indicated that they're likely to follow London's lead. Elsewhere, some countries (e.g. Ireland) force customers to pay for carrier bags. In the UK, Marks and Spencer have taken the lead by announcing that they'll charge for them.

Sooner or later, you're going to have to live without them, so now might be the time to start.

Chris

[Lonnie]

Why not contact the council by phone to verify.

I'm in Essex, and I know these things can vary, but we can put plastic bags for recycling.