West Sussex County Council has expanded its recycling programme to include more everyday products, making it easier for residents to reduce waste and support environmental goals.

Flexible toothpaste tubes can now be placed in household recycling bins.

This makes West Sussex one of the first councils in the UK to accept them.

Cllr Deborah Urquhart, cabinet member for environment and climate change at West Sussex County Council, said: “Recycling as much as possible reduces waste, saves energy and helps combat climate change. It’s a key part of our environmental strategy under the Council Plan and supports our KPI of 53 per cent of household waste being recycled. We are always looking for ways to increase recycling opportunities and I am really pleased that we are now able to support our residents in removing these everyday items from going to waste.”

To promote the new scheme, the council partnered with Recycle Now’s character Minty the Toothpaste Tube, who visited schools and community events across West Sussex to educate children about recycling.

Minty appeared at the 33rd Junior Citizen event in Crawley and joined Cllr Urquhart at Kingsham Primary School in Chichester to congratulate them on winning the 2024–25 Wastebuster Recycle It Right Challenge.

Minty the Toothpaste Tube recently attended the 33rd Junior Citizen event in Crawley to promote recycling to year six students. (Image: West Sussex County Council)

In addition to toothpaste tubes, residents can now recycle aluminium and plastic coffee pods through a partnership with Podback.

Pods from brands such as Nespresso, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto and Tassimo can be dropped off at any of the county’s 11 recycling centres.

Each centre now has separate containers for aluminium and plastic pods.

Residents are advised to drain any remaining liquid before disposing of the pods, which should be placed loose in the appropriate bin.

Bookings for the Recycling centre can be made online via the Book to Recycle website or by calling 01243 642106.

The appointments can be booked on the same day, subject to availability, or up to 14 days in advance.

Further details about recycling options in West Sussex are available at on the council’s website.