Recycling rules are a lot like navigating public transport on a hangover – confusing, frustrating, and a little bit overwhelming. But we’re here to change that! We’ve laid out what you can and can’t recycle, as well as some general bin rules that may have been lost in translation. With this Bolton recycling guide, you’ll be a recycling genius in no time. Recycling – it’s the future!

According to Bolton Council:

Here’s what you CAN put into your recycling bins:  

Here’s what CANNOT go into your recycling bins:  

Burgundy bin:

Bolton can only recycle high-grade plastics at this time, so they won’t accept bottle tops, yogurt pots, tubs or trays, as these are low-grade plastic.

Green bin:

• Soil, compost, turf or tree trunks
• Cat litter or dog waste

An extra note on Bolton’s recycling:

A top tip from Bolton Council is that you only use bags for life, instead of regular plastic bags. You can exchange them at the shop when they reach the end of their use, so there’s no need for them to go into the bin. 

For more of Bolton Council’s recycling details, just follow the link here. 

Where does Bolton’s recycling all go?

Paper

In Bolton, your paper and card are taken to a facility where it’s sorted and graded (but not into Hogwarts houses). It’s then transported to a reprocessing facility that recycles it into new products. According to Recycle for Greater Manchester, these new products are then sold – with 51% of recycled paper and card sold to UK markets and 7% sold to EU markets. The rest of Bolton’s recycling goes to other world markets outside of the EU. 

Mixed recycling

Bolton’s mixed recycling is taken to a Materials Recovery Facility in Manchester. There, your plastic bottles, tins, glass jars, and drink cans are all separated. It’s then all put together and is ready for the recycling process. 66% of recycled plastic bottles are then sold to UK markets, and 33% are sold to EU markets. 100% of your glass bottles, jars, aerosol cans, food cans, drink cans, and foil were then sold to UK markets (Recycle for Greater Manchester). 

Food and garden waste

All your food and garden waste is taken to an in-vessel composting facility in the UK. What’s that? It’s basically one huge compost that can break down everything in just six weeks. The compost is then used in the UK as a soil improver.  

If you’d like to learn more about where your Bolton recycling goes, just follow the link here. 

We hope this helps uncomplicate your local recycling rules and makes it easier to sort through your waste. We know recycling isn’t the answer to the waste crisis, but it’s a step in the right direction. Happy recycling! 

Join our milkround

If you’re all about recycling and are looking to reduce your household waste, you’ll love what we’ve got to offer. Whether you’re hungry for a bakery delivery or thirsty for our coffee and tea subscription service, all of our products are delivered in sustainable packaging. 

Get started now by signing up, placing at least one repeat weekly order, and picking the delivery days that suit your busy schedule. Then, one of our milkies will be around with your doorstep milk delivery in no time.

*This information is up to date as of 16^th March 2022.