Kerbside plastics bag collection guidance & templates: guidance document and supporting assets

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This guidance provides local authorities with a step-by-step approach to developing and implementing a communications campaign to support the introduction of a plastic bags and wrapping collection service, as part of the Simpler Recycling legislation by 31 March 2027.

It includes:

  • The benefits of plastic bags and wrapping recycling.
  • Key considerations to tackle the barriers to engagement and negative perceptions.
  • How to prepare and plan communications to implement this new service.
  • Communications templates for different collection methodologies and demographics.
  • Frequency asked questions.

This guidance has been developed as part of the FPF FlexCollect project, the largest pilot of its kind in the UK, which trialled the kerbside collection of flexible plastic packaging across ten local authorities between 2022 and 2025.

The insights and recommendations within this document are grounded in evidence gathered from those pilots, helping local authorities prepare for the national rollout of plastic bags and wrapping collections under Simpler Recycling.

The FPF FlexCollect project was funded by members of the Flexible Plastic Fund, Defra, UKRI’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge, and Zero Waste Scotland. It was delivered by Ecosurety, RECOUP, SUEZ and WRAP.

For further insights and evidence on plastic bags and wrapping collections, see the full FPF FlexCollect report

Download files

Pre-launch information leaflet 2PP A5 (bagged collection)

Pre-launch information leaflet 2PP A5 (co-mingled collection)

Kerbside instruction leaflet 4PP A5 (bagged collection)

Kerbside instruction leaflet 4PP A5 (co-mingled collection)

Kerbside nudge leaflet 2PP A5 (bagged collection)

Kerbside nudge leaflet 2PP A5 (co-mingled collection)

Collection sack

Recycling bin stickers

Kerbside 'own bags' comms set

Kerbside 'flats' comms set

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Last updated
1 September 2025
File formats
pdf, zip
Areas
UK
Materials
Packaging Plastics
Type
Bin sticker Guide Leaflet Templates Toolkit
Campaigns
Recycle Now Plastics recycling