New Recycling Update for Cornwall Residents

St Dennis

16/03/2026

From 16 March, Cornwall Council will begin collecting cartons (Tetra Pak) and plastic bags and wrapping from homes as part of the usual fortnightly recycling collections. This change will allow residents to recycle a wider range of everyday packaging items from home.

Cartons You Can Now Recycle

Residents can now recycle a variety of food and drink cartons, including:

  • Milk cartons

  • Juice cartons

  • Custard cartons

  • Soup cartons

  • Passata and tomato cartons

  • Beans and pulses cartons

How to recycle cartons:
Rinse the carton, squash it, and place it in your red recycling bag.

Plastic Bags and Wrapping Now Accepted

Cornwall residents can also recycle more types of plastic bags and flexible packaging, including:

  • Plastic and bread bags

  • Cereal bags

  • Salad bags

  • Frozen food bags

  • Carrier bags

  • Multi-pack wrapping

  • Bubble wrap

  • Cling film and plastic film lids

  • Fruit and vegetable nets

  • Chocolate, sweet and biscuit wrappers

  • Crisp packets

How to recycle plastic bags and wrapping:
Place plastic bags and wrapping inside a carrier bag or bread bag, tie it securely at the top, and put it in your red recycling bag.

What to Do If You Run Out of Space

If there is no space left in your recycling bag, place the tied bag on top of your black box or tuck it securely between your recycling bags so it does not blow away.

Check the Updated Recycling Guide

From 16 March, residents can check what can and cannot be recycled using the updated Recycling A–Z Guide available on the Check the Recycling A–Z Guide on Cornwall Councils Website.