How to recycle plastic bottles

Plastic bottles of any colour can be recycled, including cleaning, shampoo and milk bottles. Empty them first and put the lids back on.

Bottles that can be recycled

Drinks and milk bottles, shampoo and shower gel bottles, detergent and soap bottles without the pump, and cleaning sprays with the trigger on.

Liquid left in bottles harms sorting

Recycle Now says bottles with liquid left in may be too heavy for the sorting machines, and the liquid can damage them.

Key facts

• Binmap lists 310 places that say they take plastic bottles and containers, including 181 tips.
• Another 339 places may take plastic bottles and containers, but they do not say so. Check before you go.

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Written by Binmap using guidance from Recycle Now.

Advice from national bodies

What to do

1. Empty and rinse each bottle.
2. Leave the labels on.
3. Squash it to save space.
4. Put the lid back on.

Mistakes to avoid

• Bottles that held chemicals such as antifreeze cannot be recycled.

Kinds of place that take it

• Local recycling sites
• Recycling centres

Guides for similar items

• Plastic pots, tubs and trays
• Plastic packaging
• Food tins and drink cans

Other kinds of place

• Tips near you: household waste recycling centres
• Recycling banks and bring sites near you
• Clothes donation bins and clothes banks near you
• Battery recycling near you: where to recycle batteries

Schemes and collection services

• Recycle Now: plastic bottles