Can you recycle bin bags and refuse sacks?

Bin liners and refuse sacks are not recyclable once used, and a crucial rule: never put your recycling inside a tied bin bag — sorting centres can't open bags and will reject the whole thing as general waste. Recycling should go loose in the bin unless your council specifically provides or asks for clear sacks.

Tips

• Recycling goes in LOOSE, never in black bags
• Use empty bread bags or old carriers as small bin liners

Which bin does it go in?

General waste — and never bag up your recycling in them

Before throwing it away, see reuse, repair and donation routes.

Background: Plastic numbers 1–7 explained.

Also searched as: black bags, refuse sacks, bin liners.