#### Where your recycling goes

When you put your recycling out for collection, it is sorted at one of two local Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs): Bidston MRF on the Wirral or Gillmoss MRF near Liverpool. Here, materials are separated and sent to specialist companies to be made into new products – from home insulation to newspapers and packaging.

Most of the recycling collected in Merseyside and Halton stays in the UK, where it is turned into quality products. A small amount is sent overseas, but only to approved facilities that meet strict standards.

The destinations for recovered recyclable materials change regularly and the locations listed below may vary.



 

 

 



 

 

 

 





   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc1821/files/styles/default/public/image/2019/09/mixed_glass_rgb_land3.jpg.webp?itok=zPYdBTrP)   



#### Glass bottles and jars

Glass bottles and jars are turned into glass cullet, which is used in the production of glass insulation products. Recovered glass is currently sent to Veolia’s reprocessing plant in St Helens, North West England.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

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#### Paper

High-grade paper is recycled into paper stock for newspapers, magazines and pamphlets. Mixed paper is pulped and recycled into lower-grade paper products. Recovered paper is currently sent for reprocessing to facilities in Greater Manchester and India.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

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#### Cardboard

Cardboard is pulped and recycled into new cardboard and cardboard packaging products, lower-grade paper products and animal bedding. The majority of recovered cardboard is processed in the North West of England.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

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#### Steel cans and aerosols 

Steel cans and aerosols are melted to remove impurities and made into new steel and steel products. They are currently sent to several reprocessors in the UK and Europe, including facilities in Bootle, the Midlands, Swansea and Warrington.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

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#### Aluminium cans and aerosols

Aluminium cans and aerosols are shredded and melted down before being recycled into new aluminium products. They are currently sent for reprocessing in Warrington and the Midlands.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

   ![Aluminium Trays and Foil WRAP Icon in grey ](/sites/g/files/dvc1821/files/styles/default/public/image/2026/09/foil_with_pie_tray_icon_pxx_land_3.jpg.webp?itok=AqfWodBu)   



#### Aluminium foil and trays

Aluminium foil and trays are shredded and melted down before being recycled into new aluminium products. This material is currently sent for reprocessing in Swansea.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

   ![WRAP red material stream icon for plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays](/sites/g/files/dvc1821/files/styles/default/public/image/2026/09/Plastic_bottles_pots_tubs_and_trays_icon_pxx_land_3.jpg.webp?itok=dcKjIqCs)   



#### Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays

These plastics are recycled to produce a wide range of products, including new bottles, pipes, fibres and food trays. Plastic bottles are predominantly sent for reprocessing at Veolia’s own plastics recycling facility in Shrewsbury.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

   ![WRAP material stream icon in orange with an icon of a carton](/sites/g/files/dvc1821/files/styles/default/public/image/2026/09/cartons_icon_pxx_land_3.jpg.webp?itok=Exy_Qk3m)   



#### Cartons

Cartons are composite materials made from paper, aluminium and plastic. During reprocessing, these materials are separated. The paper is pulped and made into new products, such as tubes for hot chocolate. The plastic and aluminium from carton linings can also be used to make products including garden furniture, play mats and building materials. Cartons are processed in the UK.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 





   



 

 

 

 

  ![Thumbnail](/sites/g/files/dvc1821/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/image/2018/11/mixed_glass.jpg.webp?h=efbd39b0&itok=cAJ82jr4 "Glass bottles and jars wrap")How are they recycled? 

####  Glass Bottles & Jars 

    

 

Glass Bottles & Jars

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  ![](/sites/g/files/dvc1821/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/image/2019/09/paper_rgb_land3.jpg.webp?h=0ac21230&itok=eAFY_1hA)How is it recycled?

####  Paper 

    

 

Paper

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  ![](/sites/g/files/dvc1821/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/image/2019/09/WRAP%20Steel%20Cans%20landscape.jpg.webp?h=3ab0e41e&itok=yEArnyUW)How are they recycled? 

####  Metal Cans & Tins 

    

 

Metal Cans & Tins

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  ![Thumbnail](/sites/g/files/dvc1821/files/styles/gallery_thumbnail/public/image/2018/11/plastic_bottles.jpg.webp?h=7bd95542&itok=tXf_PJtk "plastic bottles wrap")How are they recycled? 

####  Plastic Bottles 

    

 

Plastic Bottles

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