Kerbside Collection of Plastic Plant Pots
Case reference FOI2026/00740
Received 1 May 2026
Published 11 May 2026
Request
Response
I would like to understand your authority’s position on the collection of non-black plastic plant pots as part of household recycling services.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is a Collection Authority and Kent County Council is the Disposal Authority for Kent.
Please could you provide responses to the following:
1. Does your authority currently collect non-black plastic plant pots for recycling at the kerbside?
Kent County Council response:
As part of the current waste acceptance criteria within our contract with the MRFs for kerbside waste, we're unable to accept hard black plastics, such as black plant pots. This is because the MRFs do not have the optical sorting technology needed to detect black pigments, so these items can't be correctly identified or processed.
(Yes / No)
2. If yes, how long has your authority been collecting non-black plastic plant pots for recycling? N/A
3. If no, does your authority intend to begin collecting non-black plastic plant pots? N/A
(Yes / No)
o If yes, please provide the expected timeline for implementation.
4. What waste collection or waste management contractor(s) does your authority use for kerbside recycling services? FCC
Documents
This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.