Use this box to recycle biodegradable plastics
Learn more
How it works
Please choose the size box you'd like to purchase. When you receive your box fill it with the appropriate waste streams. Once full, bring your box to any UPS location or schedule a collection to ship your items back to TerraCycle using the pre-paid UPS shipping label which is already affixed to your box. When we receive your box, we'll safely recycle all of the collected materials.
What happens to the waste?
The collected waste is mechanically and hand separated into fibres (like wood and coated paper), fabrics (like cotton), metals, plastics and other materials. The resulting fibres will be hydropulped to separate out coatings (like wax and plastics). The separated fibres will be recycled into new paper products, or composted if recycling is not possible. The resulting plastics will be recycled into plastic polymers. The separated fabrics are reused, upcycled or recycled as appropriate. Metals are smelted for steel making. Flexible and rigid plastics undergo extrusion and pelletisation to be moulded into various recycled plastic products. Other materials, like glass or rubbers, will be recycled as appropraite to that category of waste. Please take note of what is recyclable in your local recycling system when using this programme.
Accepted waste
- Any brand and type of biodegradable or compostable plastic good. This includes PLA cups, knives, forks, spoons, bowls, and plates.
Biodegradable plastics are sent for industrial composting.
Please do NOT...
UNACCEPTED WASTE
- Organic matter, green waste, compostable paper or wood.
- Food and liquid waste. Remove any food or liquid waste before disposing in the box. Small amounts of residual food or beverage waste is acceptable.
- Non-biodegradable plastic, products made from a mixture of biodegradable plastic and other materials (e.g. other types of plastic). For other types of plastic, please check our Plastic Packaging - Zero Waste Box.
- Hazardous waste (sharp, flammable, reactive, corrosive, ignitable, toxic, infectious or pathogenic) which presents a danger to the environment, or to people
- Batteries, pressurized canisters, broken glass and medical waste
Best practices for recycling
In order to recycle this waste stream properly, please make sure all excess product has been removed. Additionally, if you choose to rinse your product, please note that it must be completely dry prior to shipping.
Help make this nationally recyclable
We work with brand partners to create recycling solutions that enable consumers to recycle their products and/or packaging for free. If you represent an eco-minded company and are interested in working with us, please contact customercare@terracycle.co.uk.
You should also try...
To further your zero waste initiatives, you may be interested in some of our other Zero Waste Boxes.
