Can you recycle plastic carrier bags?
Standard plastic carrier bags are soft plastic: reuse them as many times as possible, then take them to supermarket carrier-bag or soft-plastic collection points — most large stores have them. Kerbside collection of plastic bags is mandatory across England by 31 March 2027 and some councils accept them already. Bags-for-life can be returned to the supermarket for replacement when worn out.
Tips
- Reuse as bin liners before recycling
- Worn-out bags-for-life get swapped free at most supermarkets
Which bin does it go in?
Reuse, then supermarket soft-plastic/bag collection points Exact rules depend on your council — check its website or look up your postcode below.
Councils can use different containers and accepted-item lists.
Background: Plastic numbers 1–7 explained.
Also searched as: plastic bags, shopping bags, bags for life.
✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?