Skip to content

Plastic bags and wrapping collections

Plastic bags and wrapping are sometimes called soft plastics.

They are flexible plastics that can usually be scrunched up in your hand.

Examples include:

  • bread bags
  • carrier bags
  • crisp packets
  • fruit and vegetable bags
  • film lids from food trays
  • plastic wrapping from multipacks
  • toilet roll and kitchen roll wrapping
  • bubble wrap

These items are different from plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, which are already collected for recycling in Gloucestershire.

Plastic bags and wrapping are sometimes called soft plastics.

They are flexible plastics that can usually be scrunched up in your hand.

Examples include:

  • bread bags
  • carrier bags
  • crisp packets
  • fruit and vegetable bags
  • film lids from food trays
  • plastic wrapping from multipacks
  • toilet roll and kitchen roll wrapping
  • bubble wrap

These items are different from plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, which are already collected for recycling in Gloucestershire.

Not yet in all areas.

Plastic bags and wrapping are not currently collected in the same way across Gloucestershire. Some residents may already have access to collections or trials, while others may still need to use supermarket collection points.

New collection arrangements are being prepared for spring 2027.

Please continue to follow your current district recycling advice until any changes are confirmed.

Not yet in all areas.

Plastic bags and wrapping are not currently collected in the same way across Gloucestershire. Some residents may already have access to collections or trials, while others may still need to use supermarket collection points.

New collection arrangements are being prepared for spring 2027.

Please continue to follow your current district recycling advice until any changes are confirmed.

Collection arrangements may be different depending on where you live. District-specific information will be added once confirmed.

Cheltenham Borough Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Cotswold District Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Forest of Dean District Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Gloucester City Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Stroud District Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Tewkesbury Borough Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Collection arrangements may be different depending on where you live. District-specific information will be added once confirmed.

Cheltenham Borough Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Cotswold District Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Forest of Dean District Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Gloucester City Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Stroud District Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

Tewkesbury Borough Council

Current advice: To be confirmed. Expected change: Plastic bags and wrapping collections to be introduced from spring 2027.How to present items: To be confirmed.

The final list of accepted items will be confirmed before collections begin.

Plastic bags and wrapping may include:

  • bread bags
  • carrier bags
  • cereal bags
  • crisp packets
  • chocolate and sweet wrappers
  • plastic film lids
  • fruit and vegetable bags
  • plastic wrapping from cans, bottles and multipacks
  • toilet roll and kitchen roll wrapping

Please do not include:

  • hard plastic packaging
  • black sacks or bin bags
  • dirty or food-covered packaging
  • compostable or biodegradable bags
  • nappies, tissues or wipes
  • pet food pouches, unless your district confirms they are accepted

The final list of accepted items will be confirmed before collections begin.

Plastic bags and wrapping may include:

  • bread bags
  • carrier bags
  • cereal bags
  • crisp packets
  • chocolate and sweet wrappers
  • plastic film lids
  • fruit and vegetable bags
  • plastic wrapping from cans, bottles and multipacks
  • toilet roll and kitchen roll wrapping

Please do not include:

  • hard plastic packaging
  • black sacks or bin bags
  • dirty or food-covered packaging
  • compostable or biodegradable bags
  • nappies, tissues or wipes
  • pet food pouches, unless your district confirms they are accepted

How you put plastic bags and wrapping out for collection will depend on the final arrangements agreed for your district.

This page will be updated to confirm:

  • when collections will start
  • whether items should be loose or bagged
  • what container or bag should be used
  • whether collection days will change
  • what residents should do if they live in flats or shared properties

Please continue to follow your current district recycling advice until new arrangements are confirmed.

How you put plastic bags and wrapping out for collection will depend on the final arrangements agreed for your district.

This page will be updated to confirm:

  • when collections will start
  • whether items should be loose or bagged
  • what container or bag should be used
  • whether collection days will change
  • what residents should do if they live in flats or shared properties

Please continue to follow your current district recycling advice until new arrangements are confirmed.

Recycling collections are changing nationally to make it easier for people to recycle more of the same materials at home, work and school.

Plastic bags and wrapping are being added to household recycling collections as part of these changes. The aim is to reduce confusion, improve recycling and make collections more consistent across England.

More information will be added to this page once local collection arrangements are confirmed.

Recycling collections are changing nationally to make it easier for people to recycle more of the same materials at home, work and school.

Plastic bags and wrapping are being added to household recycling collections as part of these changes. The aim is to reduce confusion, improve recycling and make collections more consistent across England.

More information will be added to this page once local collection arrangements are confirmed.