IF you’ve spotted brightly wrapped bin trucks in your neighbourhood recently, there’s a good reason – they’re carrying an important message about recycling.
Tameside Council, together with Recycle for Greater Manchester, has launched a bold new push to remind residents that plastic pots, tubs and trays can go in the mixed recycling black bin.
The campaign is now rolling straight into communities on the backs of the refuse vehicles.
The council began accepting these extra plastics in black bins in 2024, but officials say not everyone has got the memo yet. The specially‑branded bin trucks are designed to reach people who “may not have seen the campaign online or while out and about”.
Councillor Laura Boyle, Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods, said: “I know lots of residents are already doing a brilliant job recycling their plastic pots, tubs and trays but not everyone is aware they can. We want to ensure we reach everyone with the message.
“The bin trucks are really eye‑catching and a great way of bringing the message right to people’s doorsteps … They also serve as a reminder to the rest of us to keep up our recycling efforts.”
The effort comes as part of an ongoing drive to improve recycling rates across Tameside – and to reduce waste that ends up in landfill. Plastic pots, tubs and trays now sit alongside other household recyclables such as bottles, drink cans, food tins, glass bottles and jars in the black mixed recycling bin.
Once collected, these mixed recycling loads are taken to Recycle for Greater Manchester’s Materials Recovery Facility in Sharston, Manchester, where plastics are sorted and sent on to be turned into new products.
To help the process along, residents are being asked to rinse out their recyclables, as food residue can make items harder – or even impossible – to recycle and can damage sorting equipment.
“Thank you to everyone who recycles their waste – it helps the environment and it also helps to save money from expensive waste disposal charges, safeguarding public funds for key services that are important to residents,” added Cllr Boyle.
For more details on what can be recycled and on collection dates, visit tameside.gov.uk/recycling