Getting started
Why are you selling a service for items that I can dispose of for free?
Yes - throwing away rubbish is ‘free’, but it comes at a huge cost for the planet. A lot of our everyday items that aren’t accepted in kerbside recycling end up being sent to landfills or incinerated, where the precious materials they are made of waste away and pollute. In turn we continue to rely heavily on extracting more and more raw materials from the Earth to create new products. With Zero Waste Bag, we’re trying to bridge the gap. Asking you to pay a little bit more, in order to do a lot less harm. All of our prices include all the processing and recycling fees and we guarantee that none of the rubbish you send us ends up in landfills or incinerated.
What’s included in the price?
Our prices are all-inclusive - they include the price of the bag itself, the cost of transport (delivery and collection), as well as all the processing and recycling costs - and the guarantee that none of the rubbish you send us will end up in landfills or incinerated! What’s more, they also include the assurance that you’re contributing to a circular economy, protecting the environment, and doing your bit for the community. Some of the rubbish you help recycle will be turned into benches, playgrounds, and more. These will then be donated to local councils, schools and charities, so that everyone can enjoy them.
What is the difference between a bundle and an individual order?
Opting for a bundle means you’ll get multiple bags in one go. This is the best option if you’re keen to recycle multiple waste streams, or if you think you’ll be recycling large quantities as the price per bag is cheaper than if you order them individually. Individual orders are a great idea if you have a special event coming up (birthday party, spring cleaning, etc.) or if you simply want to try it out for the first time. All you need to do is choose the plan that suits you best.
Why is the price the same for different waste streams?
We want everyone to be able to recycle as much as possible. By maintaining a ‘one price for all’ model, we’re trying our best to make recycling rubbish you typically can’t recycle as flexible and easy for as many people as possible. What’s more, TerraCycle has been developing recycling solutions for hard-to-recycle materials for over 20 years, so Zero Waste Bag is able to benefit from an efficient and trusted system. To find out more, visit terracycle.com.
I live in a flat, would your solution work for me?
Yes - Zero Waste Bags take up very little room so they’re the perfect recycling solution for anyone living in a smaller space!
Can I order Zero Waste Bags on behalf of a business
Yes - Zero Waste Bags are available for everyone, though certain conditions may apply. Please contact our Customer Care team at contact@zerowastebag.co.uk to find out more.
When can I expect to receive my Zero Waste Bag(s) once I’ve placed my order?
Zero Waste Bags will be delivered to you within 5-10 working days. If your order takes longer than 10 working days, please contact our Customer Care team at contact@zerowastebag.co.uk.
Can I change my order once it’s confirmed?
No - once your order is confirmed it cannot be amended. If you notice any errors (wrong delivery address, etc.), please notify us as soon as possible at contact@zerowastebag.co.uk and consult our refund policy.
Do I need to be home to collect the Zero Waste Bags?
No, you do not need to be home to collect the Zero Waste Bags. These bags fit into a standard-sized mailbox, allowing for convenient delivery and collection.
How long does it take to fill a Zero Waste Bag?
On average, users typically require only 4 small bags or 2-3 large bags annually for any specific waste stream, translating to a monthly cost of £7-10, depending on bag size and the type of rubbish recycled. For more accurate results of units per bag/type of rubbish click here.
When my bag is full
How long does it take to fill a Zero Waste Bag?
Our small Zero Waste Bag takes an average of 3 months to fill and our large Zero Waste Bag takes an average of 4.5 months to fill based on customer return feedback. For more accurate results of units per bag/ type of rubbish click here.
How full can my Zero Waste Bag be?
All items must fit in the provided Zero Waste Bag and it must be sealed. You cannot send back loose items or open Zero Waste Bags. If you need more bags, you can order them anytime.
What if my Zero Waste Bag is damaged?
Please get in touch at contact@zerowastebag.co.uk so that we can best support you.
If I run out of Zero Waste Bags, can I just use other bags I have in my house?
Zero Waste Bags are designed specifically to ensure they can be properly tracked. As a result, you can only use official Zero Waste Bags to send us your rubbish for recycling.
What happens to the items once they’re shipped back to TerraCycle?
We will recycle all compliant materials that are collected. The items are received by our material recovery partners, where they are sorted into individual material components. Each material is then recycled into a raw format that can be used to make new products. To find out more, please visit this page: https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/terracycle-difference
Recycling with Zero Waste Bag
Do you have a list of all the different waste streams you recycle?
You can review all 14 waste streams that we accept here - the list is also printed on your Zero Waste Bag. Click on each stream to find out more about the accepted waste types, recycling processes and final products created with the processed waste.
Is there anything you don't accept?
We do not accept any products or packaging that aren’t included in the specified 14 accepted waste streams. If you are unsure or have a specific question, please contact us at contact@zerowastebag.co.uk.
Can I put the same things in small and large Zero Waste Bags?
Yes you can use any size of bag, no matter which waste stream(s) you choose to recycle. However, please note you may only collect one waste stream per bag.
Can I collect multiple waste streams in one Zero Waste Bag?
No. Please only put products and packaging from one specific waste stream in each Zero Waste Bag. Review and tick off your chosen waste stream on the bag to indicate what’s inside.
Do I have to clean the products and packaging before putting them in the Zero Waste Bag?
You do not need to clean the items before putting them in the Zero Waste Bag, but please remove as much of the remaining product as possible.
Do I have to clean the waste before I put it in the Zero Waste Bag?
You do not need to clean the waste before putting it in the Zero Waste Bag, but please remove as much of the remaining product as possible.
Shipping with InPost
Why did you choose InPost?
InPost boast over 8,000 readily accessible lockers across the UK, this means that pretty much everyone is in reaching distance of one. Most of these are located in very convenient locations - your supermarket car park for instance, so dropping off your Zero Waste Bag can fit right into your routine! And it’s care-free, no printing, no fuss, all you need to do is request a QR code and scan it at the locker. What’s more, dropping off your bag at a locker, rather than having it picked up at home, means couriers are centralised and emissions are reduced.
How can I check locker availability?
Click here to locate your nearest available InPost Lockers and view their availability.
Do I need to print a shipping label?
There’s no need to print anything out. All you need to do is request a QR code - log in to your account and click on the 'Request a QR code tab' to do so. Download the QR code to your phone and scan it when at your nearest InPost Locker. InPost will take care of applying shipping labels once they’ve collected the bag(s).
How can I request a QR code?
Log in to your account and click on the ‘request a QR code’ tab. You’ll need to input your contact details and fill out your chosen waste stream. Once that’s done, you can download your QR code, head over to your nearest InPost Locker, scan it, follow the instructions on the screen and drop off your bag.
If you can not see the form it could be do to our website updating. Please try again later.
What do I do if I don’t receive my QR code?
If you do not receive your QR code within 24 hours by email, contact us at contact@zerowastebag.co.uk and we will assist you. Please have your details ready to share with our customer service team - name, address, waste stream collected, and email address.
Does my QR code have an expiration date?
Yes, your QR code will expire after 30 days of the request date.
Can drop off multiple bags at a time?
Yes, of course! But please note, you’ll need to request a QR code for each of the bags you intend to drop off, and these bags will have to be put in separate lockers - one bag per locker.
Do I have to stick to a specific drop-off schedule?
You can drop off your full Zero Waste Bag(s) at a time that suits you (even in the middle of the night!). Simply locate your nearest available InPost Locker, request a QR code and drop off your bag when you’re ready.
Do I need to open an InPost account to ship my Zero Waste Bag?
No, there’s no need to create an account or become a member of InPost. All you need to do is log in to your Zero Waste Bag account, request a QR code, and scan it at the lockers.
Will I need to pay anything?
No, there’s no additional costs! Shipping through InPost is included in the price of your Zero Waste Bag order.
Can I track my shipment?
Yes - once you’ve dropped off your bag, visit the InPost tracking service, fill out your tracking number and follow your Zero Waste Bag’s journey - from the locker to our Material Recovery Facility!
For any other questions not covered in our FAQ, please contact us.