A waste collection worker known as the No1 Binman has warned households that plastic carrier bags should not be placed in recycling or food waste bins unless their council explicitly allows it. The advice, shared on TikTok, follows confusion over where everyday plastic bags belong in household waste sorting.
The No1 Binman has around 200,000 followers and more than 3.8 million likes on the platform. In a recent video, he said thin plastic carrier bags from corner shops should not go in recycling. Instead, he advised taking them to supermarkets for recycling or reusing them when they become ripped.
Check council rules first
He explained that plastic bags should not be placed loose in plastic recycling bins, and that most councils do not accept them even in clear bags. "Some councils may allow a clear bag, but check your council, because most will say no, but there may be one or two that say yes," he said.
He added that all sorts of bags can go in general waste bins, but not in food waste bins unless the council permits it. "Do check every single time, because you never know. It could change the laws," he said.
Guidance differs across the UK
Wales Recycles states that plastic carrier bags are not accepted in household recycling collections in Wales, though they can be taken to some out-of-home recycling points. Recycle Now also advises checking rules for individual supermarket collection points, as accepted materials can differ.
In England, rules are changing. Plastic film packaging and plastic bags are due to be included in household plastic recycling collections from March 2027 under the government's Simpler Recycling reforms. Until then, residents should follow current council guidance rather than assume carrier bags belong in the recycling bin.
The key point is to check guidance for your own collection service. Where a local scheme does not accept plastic carrier bags, residents can reuse them where practical, put them in the appropriate waste stream, or take clean bags to a participating supermarket collection point.
