Can you recycle disposable plastic cutlery?

Single-use plastic cutlery has been banned from sale in England since October 2023, but leftovers still lurk in drawers — they are too small and low-grade to recycle and go in general waste. Wooden disposable cutlery is also not recyclable but can be home composted or put in general waste. Reusable is the only good answer here.

Tips

• Old stock can still be used up — just bin, don't recycle
• Wooden cutlery can be snapped and composted

Which bin does it go in?

General waste

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

Background: Plastic numbers 1–7 explained.

Also searched as: plastic forks, disposable spoons, party cutlery.