Plastic bottle recycling: rinse, squash, lids back on

Plastic bottles from around the home can be recycled, says Recycle Now. That includes drinks, shampoo, cleaning and detergent bottles.

• UK

Key facts

• Leave labels on. They come off in the recycling process.
• Put lids back on so they get recycled too. Leave spray triggers on, but take soap pumps off.
• Bottles left with liquid in may not be recycled, and the liquid can damage the machines.

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Based on Recycle Now's own pages.

How to use this service

1. Empty and rinse the bottle.
2. Squash it to save space.
3. Put the lid back on.
4. Put it in your recycling.

Accepted items

• Drinks and water bottles
• Shampoo and shower gel bottles
• Cleaning and bleach bottles
• Detergent and soap bottles

Restrictions

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

Related item guides

• Plastic packaging
• Plastic bottles and containers

Other kinds of place

• Recycling banks and bring sites near you
• Clothes donation bins and clothes banks near you
• Bottle banks near you for glass bottles and jars
• Soft plastic recycling near you: bags, film and wrappers

Schemes and collection services

• Recycle Now locator
• Recycle Now: plastic pots, tubs and trays
• Recycle Now: aerosols
• Recycle Now: cardboard
• Recycle Now: foil
• Recycle Now: food and drink cartons