With Zero Waste Bag, we make it easy to recycle 14 types of hard-to-recycle rubbish, including plastic packaging, medicine blister packs, contact lenses, and worn-out clothing. These are the types of waste that your kerbside recycling can’t accept, and that typically end up in landfill or incineration.

So what happens once your bag leaves your hands? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how TerraCycle recycles your rubbish.

1. Check-in and storage

When your Zero Waste Bag arrives at our Material Recovery Facility, we scan and log it, recording key info like the date, weight, and type of waste. This data helps us track and trace your bag throughout its recycling journey.

2. Sortation

Waste is separated by material type using a range of methods: manual sorting, size separation, sink/float systems, and even near-infrared technology. We do this to make sure each type of material is processed properly and efficiently.

Recycled pellets

3. Cleaning & Recycling

Some items—especially food or personal care packaging—contain leftover residue. Once sorted and shredded, materials with contamination are thoroughly cleaned to prepare for recycling.

Materials are then processed into raw recycled materials like plastic pellets. These are then used to create new products.

Recycled park benches

4. Audited. Accredited. Accountable.

All partners are contractually entitled to audits of the waste streams we recycle for them, and they can also conduct their own audits. We invest heavily in tracking software, expert personnel, and standardised equipment to ensure our processes are optimised.

Why do I have to pay to recycle?

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.

Why only one waste stream per bag?

Sorting mixed materials is labour-intensive and costly. By using one bag per waste stream, we keep the process more efficient, and your costs lower.

Where is my rubbish recycled?

Right here in the UK. TerraCycle ensures that all accepted waste is recycled locally through audited partners, with full transparency and traceability.

Can I drop off multiple bags at once?

Yes! Just remember to request a separate QR code for each bag, and place each bag in a separate InPost locker when dropping them off.

Should I get a bundle or a single bag?

Bundles are the best value. They are perfect if you plan to recycle multiple waste types or generate higher volumes. Plus, they come with extra discounts!

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