From this Monday, March 16, Cornwall Council will start collecting cartons / Tetra Paks, as well as plastic bags and wrappings – such as from crips packets and bread bags – as part of kerbside collections.
Previously soft plastics could only be recycled via special collection points, such as at some supermarkets, and Tetra Parks and cartons could not be recycled.
Local councils have been spreading the message and the recycling page of the Cornwall Council website has also been updated to include ‘cartons’ and an explanation about soft plastics.
It states: “To recycle them, put your plastic bags and wrapping into a carrier or bread bag and tie it at the top.
“If you have space, put the tied bag inside your red recycling bag.
“No space left? Put the tied bag on top of your black box or tuck it securely between your other recycling bags so it doesn’t blow away.”
Soft plastics and wrappings include bread bags, cereal bags, salad bags and carrier bags, as well as multi-wrap packing such as on large bags of crisps, bubble wrap, cling film, plastic film lids, fruit and vegetable nets, and chocolate, sweet and biscuit wrappers.
Cartons / Tetra Paks that can be recycled from Monday include containers for milk (such as long life or non-dairy), juice, custard, soup and passata.
Both the soft plastics and cartons should be placed in the red bag, along with existing plastics and metals.
Items that still cannot be recycled including polystyrene, black plastic, plastic toys and plastic pouches like pet food and microwaveable pouches.
The council adds: “Rinse and squash dirty cans, tins, plastic pots, tubs and trays before placing in your recycling bag. Wash and squash plastic bottles and cartons and replace the lid to save space in your bag.”