Here’s what you can now put in your kerbside recycling as West Berkshire Council begins to take certain pots, tubs and trays

Kerbside bin collections are expanding in West Berkshire – making it easier to recycle certain pots, tubs and trays.

The council wants to introduce this service well ahead of the Government’s deadline of March 31, 2026.

The new kerbside collection will make it much easier for residents to send their plastic waste to recycling and recovery.

Alongside plastic bottles, cans and aerosols, residents will be able to add certain clean plastic pots, tubs, and trays to their recycling bags for collection.

This includes items such as clear yoghurt pots, spread tubs, most ready meal trays, and clear fruit punnets.

Residents with communal bins, will also be able to dispose of these items in the red-topped wheelie bin.

The council says if the plastic tray or tub still has food waste on it, or it still has a plastic film or metal covering, it can cause a problem as it goes through the recycling process.

It says this makes it unsuitable for reprocessing, meaning that it won’t be recycled.

Residents are asked to rinse items and remove any film or cardboard sleeves before placing them in the recycling bags.

Cardboard sleeves can be placed in the paper/cardboard box.

Accepted Items:

Cream pots (without film lids); clear yoghurt pots (without film lids); spread/margarine tubs; biscuit tray packaging; takeaway tubs and ready meal trays (without film lids); clear fruit trays (without film lids); clean meat trays (without film lids)

Items not accepted:

Black plastic trays; plastic film – such as bread bags and tray coverings; crisp packets; plastic wrapping; foil lids and trays; flowerpots; hot beverage pods (please take these to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre); Tetra Paks/cartons (these can be recycled at our mini recycling centres and Household waste recycling centres); blister packs/pill packets.

Stuart Gourley (Lib Dem, Newbury Clay Hill), executive member for environment and highways at West Berkshire Council, said: “There’s a strong demand from our residents for greater recycling
options, and we’re proud to deliver this service before the Government’s Simpler Recycling target of March 31, 2026 in partnership with Veolia and continuing to improve your recycling service across West Berkshire.

“We hope residents will take this opportunity to use the new service and reduce the amount of waste going into black bins freeing up space.

“Just a quick rinse of these items ensures they’re ready for collection and more waste is put in its place.”

David Matthews, general manager at Veolia West Berkshire, added: “We’re delighted to be able to expand kerbside collections for local residents with the addition of certain pots, tubs and trays ahead of the Simpler Recycling legislation coming into effect.

“Recyclable materials collected from homes across West Berkshire are sorted at our Padworth Integrated Waste Management Facility before being sent for recycling and recovery.

“By recycling more household packaging, residents are supporting carbon reduction and resource regeneration, helping to create a more sustainable future for everyone.”

The council continues to plan to introduce the collection of cartons and foil by March 31, 2026, and plastic film in 2027.