Can you recycle crisp packets?
Crisp packets are metallised plastic film and cannot go in today's kerbside recycling in most areas — take them, empty and shaken out, to supermarket soft-plastic collection points. Under Simpler Recycling, English councils must collect crisp packets and other film at kerbside by 31 March 2027. Don't be fooled by the shiny inside: the scrunch test fails (they spring back), so they're plastic, not foil.
Tips
- They spring back when scrunched — that means soft-plastic point, not foil
- Multipack outer bags go to the same place
Which bin does it go in?
Supermarket soft-plastic points; kerbside in England by March 2027 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: crisp bags, snack wrappers.
✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?