What is number 6 plastic in the UK?

What Is Number 6 Plastic in the UK?

When you’re sorting your recycling at home, you might have noticed a small number inside the triangular recycling symbol on plastic items. If it’s a 6, that means the plastic is polystyrene – a material widely used across the UK in both packaging and food service.

Polystyrene, also known as PS, comes in two main forms: expanded (EPS), often seen as the lightweight white foam used in packaging, and solid, which appears in items like disposable cutlery or clear food containers. The expanded version—familiar as packing peanuts or protective blocks inside boxes—is especially common in shipping fragile goods. It’s lightweight and shock-absorbent, making it ideal for protecting items in transit.

You’ve probably also encountered polystyrene in takeaway containers, especially for soups, salads, and fast food. While convenient, these items pose a challenge for recycling. Despite the recycling symbol, many UK councils don’t accept polystyrene in household recycling collections because it’s bulky, easily contaminated, and costly to process.

As awareness grows, some local recycling centres do offer drop-off points for polystyrene, particularly larger EPS blocks. However, reuse or reduction is often a better option. Businesses and consumers alike are increasingly turning to eco-friendlier alternatives like cardboard or compostable plant-based materials.

So, while number 6 plastic plays a practical role in packaging and food service, its recyclability remains limited. Recognising the #6 symbol helps consumers make informed choices—especially when reducing single-use plastics is the ultimate goal.