Can you recycle plastic film and cling film?
Supermarket soft-plastic points now; kerbside across England by March 2027
Stretchy plastic film — cling film, bread bags, frozen-food bags, wrappers — is not yet accepted in most kerbside collections, but every English council must collect it kerbside by 31 March 2027 under Simpler Recycling, and some already do. Until then, take clean, scrunchable film to soft-plastic collection points at most large supermarkets. Used cling film with food residue goes in general waste.
Tips
- Scrunch test: if it springs back it's film — supermarket point, not kerbside (yet)
- Keep a bag-of-bags to drop off with your shopping
- Dirty cling film is general waste
Which bin does it go in?
Supermarket soft-plastic points now; kerbside across 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: cling film, soft plastics, plastic wrapping, film lids.
✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?