Can polythene be recycled?
Many people are confused about what types of materials can be recycled. While some items, such as paper and glass, can be easily recycled, others, such as polyethylene, are more difficult to recycle.
So, is polyethylene recyclable? The answer is yes and no. While pure polyethylene can be recycled, most polyethylene products are made with a mix of materials that make them difficult to recycle. However, there are some companies that are working on ways to recycle mixed materials.
Many materials made of low density polyethylene (LDPE), such as carrier bags, can be recycled at supermarkets but rarely at kerbside. It is always worth checking packaging to see if it carries an On-Pack Recycling Label or visiting Recycle Now to see where you can recycle it.