Plastic tubes can now be recycled from home as part of regular collections, writes Kat Byrne.
West Berkshire Council has partnered with Veolia to make the new addition to its kerbside recycling service.
Tubes, including all toothpaste tubes both hard and flexible, cosmetic tubes and food tubes can now be recycled.
West Berkshire Council’s executive member for environment and highways Stuart Gourley (Lib Dem, Newbury Clay Hill) said: “This is great news, another simple way to recycle more at home, and keep even more items out of the black bin.
“Plastic tubes are something most of us use every day, so being able to pop them straight into the green recycling bag makes a real difference.”
To recycle your tunes correctly, firstly squeeze the tube empty, leave the cap on and keep the tube flat (not rolled.)
Then place it in the same container used to collect your plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, aerosols and cans.
Veolia West Berkshire general manager David Matthews said: “In partnership with West Berkshire Council, we’re committed to helping everyone recycle as much as possible and recycling plastic tubes is another positive step forward.”
There are some exceptions, such as if the tube is less than 40x40mm or if it has contained DIY products, such as mastic, that would be a contaminant.