Recycling is third in the National Waste Hierarchy after Reduction and Reuse.
We do need to first reduce the amount of waste we generate – which often has a harmful impact on the environment, and the climate. We also need to buy goods which can be repurposed, repaired or reused/recycled, and with the minimum of packaging.
For an insight into Reuse and Repair opportunities in the Falmouth/Penryn area visit our guide Too Good to Waste – Working Towards a Local Circular Economy on this website.
Recycling is often the next most appropriate and accessible option. It is a key activity for saving natural resources from going to waste, reducing litter, and helping tackle climate change. Recycling reduces carbon emissions, and makes a significant contribution to the circular economy.
The “hard-to-recycle“ list below covers drop-off points in the Falmouth/Penryn Area for recycling mostly plastics, but also other hard-to-recycle materials which cannot be currently recycled from the kerbside.
The list includes recycling collection points provided by national chains, some supermarkets for “soft” or “flexible” plastics, services offered by independent providers, TerraCycle drop-off locations, and the local household waste recycling centre (HWRC) which also plays a key role in the provision of local reuse and recycling opportunities
A summary of the list by materials is here: click on category, or scroll down for the full list
- Candles
- Contact Lens and Spectacles
- Computers and “Old Tech”
- Cork Wine Stoppers
- Health, Beauty and Wellness Products
- Household Batteries
- Inkjet and other Printer Cartridges
- Light Bulbs and Fluorescent Tubes
- Mattresses
- Medicine Blister Packs
- Oral Care Products (toothpaste tubes/brushes)
- Pet Food Packaging
- Postage Stamps
- Rigid/Bulky Plastic Items
- Soft or Flexible Plastic Packaging
- Textiles: Clothing, Bed Linen and Shoes
- Water Filters
Candles
Many wax candles (or part candles) end up every year in landfill or being incinerated. There is now a collection point in Falmouth where unwanted candles are repurposed into new products https://kiandles.co.uk
Visit Kiandles in the High Street, Falmouth and drop off wax candles in the box provided near entrance
Contact Lens and Spectacles
Boots Opticians, Market Street, Falmouth
All types of used spectacles, contact lens, blister packs and foil covers accepted.
Collection box in store or simply hand into a member of staff
Specsavers, Market Street, Falmouth
Will accept all brands of used contact lens and spectacles (without cases). Collection box in store
https://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/recycling
Note: some Independent Opticians will also accept unwanted spectacles for reuse/recycling, to support the work of charitable organisations overseas.
These include:
- Alexander Miller, 42 High Street Falmouth: open Tues, Wed and Friday 10-5pm and Saturday 10-2pm
- Reynolds and Slater, 23-27 Berkeley Vale, Falmouth: open Mon-Friday 9-5pm and Saturday 9-1pm
Computers and other “Old Tech”
The Falmouth/Penryn Household Waste Recycling Centre at Longdowns, nr Mabe Burnthouse TR10 9DH accepts computers and other small electrical items for recycling along with unwanted fridges/freezers and televisions (collected in a separate container nearby)
Check this link for opening times and details of all materials accepted suezcornwall.co.uk/what-we-do/recycling/falmouth-and-penryn/
Currys PC World at Unit 1 Treliske Retail Park, Truro TR1 3LN
also provides a comprehensive recycling service for a wide range of “old tech” free of charge – even if not bought from the company. Discount voucher available if you want to purchase any new item instore or online. For full details visit:
www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/techtalk/recycling-electronics-couldnt-be-easier/
www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/techtalk/what-happens-to-your-old-tech-when-you-recycle-it/
Cork Wine Stoppers
There are two main collection points in Falmouth.
Call into Kernowine at 21, Killigrew Street and hand them into the store. Open after 12 midday; closed Sun/Mondays. Kernowine supports the Liga Cork Recycling Scheme https://loveliga.com/blogs/
Majestic Wine at 53, Dracaena Avenue also accepts used cork wine stoppers https://www.majestic.co.uk/
Health, Beauty, and Wellness Products
Boots in Market Street, Falmouth will take all brands of beauty, healthcare and wellness product packaging and containers including these:-
- made of composite materials e.g. make-up palettes, compacts, lipsticks
- made from other materials e.g. recyclable toothpaste tubes
- small items e.g. travel minis, samples, mascaras
See also “Medicine Blister Packs” listed below
Visit boots.com/boots-recycling-scheme for more information and details of their Reward Scheme
N.B. This Take-back Scheme is a Circular Economy Sustainability National Award Finalist for 2021
Household Batteries
There are numerous drop-off locations for spent household batteries across the Falmouth/Penryn area, mostly in supermarkets and other retailers – too many to list here.
A good starting point is to use the Recycle Now Locator – just click on the item in question, enter your postcode and check the listings. www.recyclenow.com/recycling-locator
It is recommended you check out your preferred location first to ensure the collection point is still operating. There may also be collection containers/tubes available not on the Locator, for example – your local library in Falmouth
Note: car batteries as well as spent household batteries can be taken to the Falmouth/Penryn Household Waste Recycling Centre at Longdowns, nr. Mabe Burnthouse TR10 9DH
Check this link for opening times and details of all materials accepted suezcornwall.co.uk/what-we-do/recycling/falmouth-and-penryn/
Inkjet and other Printer Cartridges
Currys PC World at Unit 1, Treliske Retail Park, Truro (near the hospital) also accepts all makes of Toner and Inkjet Cartridges and offers a post-back service.
Note: we are currently exploring other recycling options in the area for these items.
Light Bulbs and Fluorescent Tubes
The Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) at Longdowns, Mabe Burnthouse TR10 9DH accepts used energy-saving light bulbs along with fluorescent tubes for recycling.
For details of these and other materials accepted and their opening times visit suezcornwall.co.uk/what-we-do/recycling/falmouth-and-penryn/
Mattresses
Used mattresses and bed frames can now be collected for recycling by upcountry-based Keen & Able
For full details of their comprehensive recycling service, including collection charges, visit themattressrecyclingpeople.co.uk
Note: a lower charge for removal may be made if companies delivering new mattresses agree to take away the used one(s)
The local alternative for disposal is to use the Cornwall Council Bulky Waste kerbside collection service. Note: used mattresses are not recycled, but shredded, and taken to the local incinerator for disposal.
For details of their service visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling-and-waste/. Note that for the fee charged 3 additional bulky items can also be removed.
Note that used mattresses can also be taken to the Falmouth/Penryn Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) for disposal free of charge as a bulky item. These are also shredded and incinerated.
Check this link for opening times and details of all materials accepted suezcornwall.co.uk/what-we-do/recycling/falmouth-and-penryn/
Other options include using Freegle if mattresses are in a clean and reusable condition www.ilovefreegle.org or try charitable organisations e.g. Cornwall Hospice Care or Hidden Help – see Too Good to Waste : Textiles/Clothes for contact details
Medicine Blister Packs
Visit Superdrug in Market Street, Falmouth. All types of used medicine blister packs are accepted for recycling in support of Marie Curie Nursing
Boots (Market Street) also now accept empty medicine and vitamin packets for recycling.
Visit https://www.boots.com/
Oral Care Products (toothpaste tubes/brushes)
Spent toothpaste tubes can now be accepted in the Cornwall Council Household Kerbside Recycling Service as a recyclable plastic item (red bag – along with plastic bottles,pots,tubs and trays)
Toothpaste tubes are also accepted under the Boots High Street Recycling Scheme – see Health, Beauty and Wellness entry above
There is no dedicated collection point in Falmouth/Penryn for all oral care products, but, if visiting Truro, you could support the Oak House Dental Practice, in St.George’s Road, Truro.
They have a Terracycle collection box for all plastic toothbrushes, spent toothpaste tubes and caps, plus electric and battery toothbrush heads and cartons. Check the opening hours by visiting www.the-oak-house.com or call 01872 222922
Also note: the nylon bristle heads of wooden toothbrushes can be cut off, put in an envelope, and posted to Freepost Georganics. 5 heads minimum or 1 sonic toothbrush handle.
Other brands’ heads and electric bodies are also accepted for recycling. For more details visit uk.georganics.com/pages/zero-to-landfill
Pet Food Packaging
Pets at Home have a recycling station for any flexible pet food plastic packaging in their Falmouth store at Ponsharden (just off the main road into Falmouth)
Note: most local supermarkets also accept this packaging in their flexible plastics recycling bins – please check their websites for details – see “soft/flexible plastic packaging” below
Postage Stamps
Falmouth’s main Post Office in Spar at 13, Market Strand has a collection box for used postage stamps in support of Guide Dogs for the Blind (leave a centimetre border around the stamp)
You can also drop used stamps into The Sight Centre on Newham Road, Truro for iSight Cornwall or post used stamps to the Centre – see www.isightcornwall.org.uk/
A collection box is also in the eye clinic of Treliske Hospital (Ophthalmology Department)
iSight Cornwall welcomes enquiries from organisations/individuals wishing to host a collection box – contact them on the above website for a poster to attach to any suitable collection box.
Rigid/Bulky Plastic Items
These plastic items can now be recycled at most Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) including Falmouth/Penryn.
These include clean buckets, garden furniture, water butts, plastic bins, collapsible crates, pale brown or beige plant pots (not black)
Note : B&Q Store, 56 Kernick Road, Penryn will accept Plastic Plant Pots (any colour) for recycling: just take to the main desk
There are a range of other items which can only be recycled at local HWRCs – to check out what else can be recycled visit suezcornwall.co.uk/what-we-do/recycling/falmouth-and-penryn/
“Soft” or “Flexible” Plastic Packaging
The Co-op Store – Clipper Way, Mongleath Avenue, Boslowick Road, and the Co-op in Cliff Road, both in Falmouth
Accepts “soft” plastics including “crisp packets, sweet wrappers, plastic film, pet food pouches, and plastic bags” www.coop.co.uk/environment/soft-plastics
Sainsbury’s, Falmouth TR11 2RZ
A collection point can be located in the former coffee shop area which accepts a wide range of “flexible” plastic packaging – for full details
www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/sustainability/plan-for-better/our-stories/2021/flexible-plastics
Sainsbury’s will also, as of 2023, pick up soft plastic recycling when doing home delivery
Tesco, Killigrew Street, Falmouth
The collection point (cage) is located outside main entrance which accepts “soft” plastic packaging including “any plastic bag, crisp packets, food and pet pouches, plastic wrappers, and any plastic film”
For more details visit www.tescoplc.com/news/2021/tesco-to-launch-uk-s-biggest-network-of-recycling-points-for-soft-plastic/
Tesco at Garras Wharf, Truro also provide an instore collection point for spent household batteries
Textiles: Clothing and Shoes
Textiles are usually defined as products made of silk, cotton, linen, wool or synthetic material
Clean and undamaged textiles including shoes can often be taken to local charity shops for sale and reuse – for a full list of shops see Clothing/Textiles under our Too Good to Waste – Working Towards a Local Circular Economy guide
Clothing and Shoe Banks are also an option for both reuse and recycling of textiles – check out, for example, the Salvation Army and other banks listed in the Too Good to Waste Guide
Household textiles can often be taken to national retailers for either reuse or recycling. Most items can only be accepted if they are clean and undamaged.
Here are three notable examples on the Truro Hard-to-Recycle list: Dunelm, Primark and Marks and Spencer:
- Dunelm, Newquay Road Retail Park, Truro TR1 1RHAccept a wide range of clean and undamaged textiles under their Textile Take-back Scheme including clothes, towels, duvets, pillows, table cloths, cushions and curtains and many others. Drop off items instore in Truro or support their partnership with the Salvation Army by visiting www.dunelm.com/info/about/take-back-scheme
- Primark, Lemon Quay, Truro TR1 2LWAccept any brand of clothing, textiles, bags and footware in any condition as part of their instore recycling scheme – see collection point below or visit www.primark.com/en-gb/a/inspiration/sustainable-fashion/let-your-pre-loved-be-re-loved
- Marks & Spencer, Lemon Quay, Truro TR1 2LWSupports Oxfam by providing collection boxes for reusable clothes, shoes and accessories (e.g. handbags)
www.oxfam.org.uk/donate/donate-to-our-shops/marks-and-spencer-and-oxfam-another-life/
Note: Cornwall Council (Biffa) will collect clean and dry, old or worn clothing as part of their household kerbside collection service (put in a tied bag and into the black box)
Shoes
Shoes which are deemed to be beyond reuse or not easily repaired – see the Too Good to Waste – Working Towards a Local Circular Economy guide for local shoe repairers – can be returned to some companies for recycling
Schuh, King street, Truro offer a “Sell Your Soles scheme“ whereby you can bring in old, worn shoes and they will give you £5 off a brand new pair
Most Clothing and Textile banks and Charity Shops will accept shoes in a reasonable condition – see link
Too Good to Waste – Working Towards a Local Circular Economy
Cornwall Council/Biffa will also collect unwanted pairs of shoes in a clean and dry condition as part of the Household Kerbside Recycling Service (put in black box in a tied bag)
Water Filters
Brita Water Filters can be recycled at the local Sainsbury’s Store at Ponsharden, Falmouth (box inside store in the recycling area)
Note: Anyone wanting to check out the Recycling Programmes offered by TerraCycle, nationally and locally, can visit their website www.terracycle.com/en-GB/brigades
N.B. All entries were checked at the time of publishing – but things can change as providers change. Always check with individual locations before setting out for the first visit
Suggestions for additional entries always welcome, or to report any changes contact us
Revised Sept 2025
Reduce : Reuse : Recycle !