Can you recycle margarine and ice cream tubs?

♻️ Yes — kerbside recycling

Recycling bin — rinsed, lids on or in loose

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Polypropylene tubs (margarine, spread, ice cream, large yoghurt) are collected kerbside by the vast majority of UK councils. Scrape them out, rinse, and recycle tub and lid together. Tubs also make great freezer and storage boxes before they're recycled.

Tips

  • Scrape and rinse — greasy tubs contaminate
  • Reuse as freezer containers first

Which bin does it go in?

Recycling bin — rinsed, lids on or in loose

Background: Plastic numbers 1–7 explained.

Also searched as: butter tubs, spread tubs, ice cream tubs.

✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?

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