Local collections · sorting · shredding · granulation
Rigid Plastics & Polystyrene Recycling
Practical recycling solutions for bulky plastic materials
Rigid plastics can quickly take up valuable space in a farmyard, warehouse, factory or transport depot.
At 3 Counties Recycling, we collect suitable rigid plastic materials from farms and businesses across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Materials are assessed, sorted and prepared for the most appropriate recycling route available.
Our main focus is rigid plastic recycling. We have shredding and granulation equipment that allows suitable plastics to be size-reduced and prepared for onward reprocessing.
We can also accept clean expanded polystyrene, commonly known as EPS, where the material, volume and collection arrangements are suitable.
Send us photographs of the material, your postcode and a rough quantity, and we will confirm whether we can help.
Rigid plastics we may be able to accept
Suitable materials can include:
- HDPE rigid plastics
- Polypropylene rigid plastics
- Plastic crates and boxes
- Storage bins
- Buckets and tubs
- Plastic drums and containers
- Wheelie bins
- Plant pots and growing trays
- Agricultural pipe
- Irrigation and water pipe
- Plastic pallets
- Road cones and traffic-management plastics
- Feed tubs and lick buckets
- Suitable agricultural and industrial moulded plastics
- Production offcuts and rejected plastic components
- Mixed rigid plastics, subject to inspection
Acceptance depends on the type of plastic, its previous use, contamination, quantity and the recycling route available.
Chemical containers, drums, IBCs and containers that previously held oils, fuels, pesticides or other controlled substances must be discussed with us before collection.
How we process suitable rigid plastics
01Material assessment
Send us clear photographs showing the material, quantity and condition. Where necessary, we will ask about:
- What the plastic was used for
- Whether it is clean and empty
- Whether different plastic types are mixed together
- How the material is stored
- Vehicle access
- Whether regular collections are required
02Collection
We can arrange one-off or scheduled collections depending on the quantity and how regularly the material is produced. Collection options may include:
- Cage-truck collections
- Stillages or cages
- Bulk bags
- RoRo containers
- Loose-load collections
- Customer deliveries by prior arrangement
03Sorting and preparation
Material is inspected and separated into suitable grades where practical. Depending on the material, it may then be:
- Sorted by type or colour
- Separated from metal and other contamination
- Shredded
- Granulated
- Baled
- Prepared for an approved downstream outlet
Not every material requires the same process. We will use the most appropriate route for the plastic received.
04Documentation
A Waste Transfer Note is provided for each collection.
For regular commercial customers, collection records, weights and supporting reports can also be agreed as part of the service.
Polystyrene and EPS recycling
We can also assess clean expanded polystyrene packaging, commonly known as EPS. Typical examples include:
- Protective packaging from machinery and equipment
- Appliance packaging
- Electronics packaging
- Clean moulded EPS packaging
- Suitable clean fish boxes
- Clean polystyrene sheets or blocks
EPS must normally be:
- Clean
- Dry
- Free from food residue
- Free from soil and chemicals
- Free from excessive tape, labels and cardboard
- Kept separate from other plastics
Because EPS is extremely light and bulky, collection suitability depends heavily on volume, storage, distance and the available downstream route.
We do not mix EPS with rigid plastics. It is assessed as a separate material stream and routed accordingly.
Preparing rigid plastics for collection
To help keep the material recyclable and control collection costs:
- Empty all containers
- Remove liquids, soil and loose contamination
- Keep different material types separate where possible
- Remove metal components where practical
- Stack crates, pots and trays safely
- Coil or bundle plastic pipe
- Keep EPS clean, dry and separate
- Use extra-large tonne bags for smaller loose items where appropriate
- Do not mix general waste, wood, metal or hazardous material into the load
Please do not cut tanks, drums, containers or pipe unless this has been agreed with us in advance.
Recycling for farms and businesses
We work with a wide range of material producers, including:
- Farms and agricultural contractors
- Horticultural growers and nurseries
- Orchards and vineyards
- Food and drink manufacturers
- Warehouses and distribution centres
- Transport and logistics companies
- Repacking and damaged-goods contractors
- Manufacturers
- Recycling and waste-management businesses
- Retail and commercial premises
For businesses producing material regularly, we can discuss scheduled collections and suitable storage arrangements to prevent plastics building up around the site.
Why use 3 Counties Recycling?
Local collections
We are based in Worcestershire and provide collections across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.
Practical processing capability
Our shredders and granulators allow us to prepare suitable rigid plastics for onward recycling rather than treating everything as a disposal problem.
Flexible service
We can assess one-off clearances, production waste and regular commercial material streams.
Proper documentation
A Waste Transfer Note is supplied for every collection.
Honest advice
Not every plastic has a viable recycling route. We will tell you clearly what we can accept, how it should be prepared and whether a collection is commercially practical.
Does rigid plastic have a value?
Some clean, segregated rigid plastic grades may have a commercial value. This depends on:
- Polymer type
- Colour
- Cleanliness
- Contamination
- Quantity
- Presentation
- Transport requirements
- Processing costs
- Current market conditions
Material value is assessed individually. We do not guarantee a rebate until the grade, quality and quantity have been confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take mixed rigid plastics?
Possibly. Send us photographs first. Mixed rigid plastics may need sorting or may contain polymers that cannot be processed together. We will assess the material and explain the most suitable option.
Can you collect plastic drums and containers?
Yes, subject to their previous contents and condition. All containers must be empty. Containers that previously held chemicals, oils, fuels or pesticides require separate assessment.
Can you recycle irrigation pipe?
Suitable irrigation, MDPE and HDPE pipe may be accepted. Pipe should normally be bundled, coiled or cut into agreed manageable lengths. Send photographs before preparing it.
Can you take plant pots and trays?
Clean plastic pots and trays may be accepted where they are kept separate from compost, soil, labels and other contamination.
Can you collect EPS polystyrene?
Yes, where it is clean, dry, suitably stored and available in a commercially practical volume. Because EPS is light and bulky, we will confirm the collection arrangement after seeing photographs and the postcode.
Do you collect from transport and logistics companies?
Yes. We can provide one-off or regular collections for businesses generating rigid packaging plastics, EPS, cardboard and clean packaging film from warehousing, repacking, returns and damaged-goods contracts.
Will I receive paperwork?
Yes. A Waste Transfer Note is provided for each collection.
Send us a photograph
The quickest way to find out whether we can accept your material is to send us:
- Clear photographs
- Your postcode
- The approximate quantity
- What the material was used for
- Whether it is loose, bagged, stacked or baled
- How regularly it is produced
Rigid plastics building up?
Send us photographs and we will confirm whether the material is suitable, how it should be prepared and the most practical collection option.
3 Counties Recycling
Supporting British agriculture and local business through smarter recycling.