The Confectionery Free Recycling Programme

Accepted Waste:

All brands of plastic confectionery packaging are accepted in the programme such as:

• Plastic chocolate and sweets pouches and bags
• Chocolate and sweets multipack outer plastic packaging 
• Individual chocolate bar wrappers
• Plastic chocolate block wrappers
   

Waste that is NOT Accepted:

• Breakfast, granola and energy bar wrappers
• Aluminium foil, cardboard and paper wrappers. For example: individual foil and paper packets (like ROWNTREE’S® Fruit Pastilles or KITKAT® Biscuits) and cardboard tubes and boxes (like SMARTIES® or AFTER EIGHT®) are not accepted in this programme. These can be recycled via local council facilities.
• Metal tins and rigid plastic trays or tubs. For example: QUALITY STREET® plastic tubs or DAIRY BOX® chocolate box packaging are not accepted in this programme. These can be recycled via local council facilities.
• QUALITY STREET® wrappers as these are biodegradable via home composting.

You can download the Accepted Waste Poster here.

No, the Confectionery Free Recycling Programme accepts plastic confectionery packaging from all brands.

Click here to learn how to start a public drop-off point.

Please note: Only one drop-off location per account per programme is authorised. A minimum distance of 2 miles is required between each drop-off point, unless you are in a heavily populated area. In addition, your public drop-off point must be open for at least 3 hours per week.

It’s quite simple to set up and manage a drop-off point, and you can recruit a group of friends to help!

Set Up: 

• Choose a location and receive permission if needed.

• Update a new or existing TerraCycle account profile with details about your drop-off location.

• Request to join the programmes you would like to participate in.

• Once you’ve been approved for the programmes you requested, set up your drop-off location. 
   

Manage: 

• Oversee the location (check it is being used properly, that waste is being shipped when collection boxes are filled). 

• When boxes are filled, seal them, download and affix the prepaid labels. Please make sure you use a sturdy cardboard box which is no larger than 60x60x50cm in size. The maximum weight per parcel is 20kg, but by using the multi-label shipping option, you can send a shipment (consisting of several parcels) weighing more than 20kg in total. Please note that If you use Multilabels, the maximum weight of the 3 boxes combined can't exceed 30 Kg.

• Simply book a free pick-up via UPS by calling 03457 877 877 or book online via this link. Alternatively, you can also drop off your parcel at your closest UPS drop-off point, which you can find here.

• Continue to join programmes of your choosing.
   

Promote: Spread awareness about your location (as you see fit) to encourage participation.

Allocate: As you accumulate TerraCycle recycling rewards, choose which charities will receive donations from your points.

There are no direct costs to you for running a public drop-off point. Many collectors spend nothing other than their time. You may choose to purchase specific boxes or bins for your drop-off location, but you can also just use extra boxes you have at home. 

Public spaces that have good traffic flow and are easily accessible are excellent drop-off points. Stores, community centers, places of worship, and libraries are great options.

You choose which TerraCycle free recycling programmes your drop-off point will participate in. Collectors can drop off only the waste accepted in those TerraCycle programmes.

No - unfortunately we do not provide collection boxes for this programme.