Something of a mythology has grown up about the collection of plastic milk bottle tops for recycling; they have been the subject of numerous charity collection hoaxes, whereby it is suggested that if you can collect the weight of a wheelchair in tops you will earn a wheelchair for some needy child. Sadly these pranksters play on our wish both to help others and recycle something which otherwise has to go into the bin – most councils that collect plastic bottles for recycling ask that you remove the lid.
So can you actually recycle these bottle tops and help charities? Yes!
- The Rose Road Association, a charity which provides services for young people with disabilities in the Hampshire area has been accepting them but will not be accepting milk bottle tops after 30th September 2007. However the company that recycles them are happy to receive them on Rose Road’s behalf, however theymust be sent directly to the recyclers at Associated Polymer Resources (APR), Wrens Farm, Castle Lane, North Badesley, Southampton, SO52 9LY. They mustnot be sent to Rose Road’s offices.
- The Green Centre in Brighton is collecting milk bottle tops and other lids for recycling. www.thegreencentre.co.uk
- Moorgreen Hospital League of Friends in Southampton are also collecting bottle tops. Visit http://lofmoorgreen.cad-monkey.co.uk/Bottle_Tops.htm for more details.
- If you wish to collect them for recycling there is a company that recycles them, G.H. Services – Recycling who are in Portsmouth. They have a minimum quantity which they will accept for payment, however they have told us that they are happy to accept small amounts of milk bottle tops on behalf of charities, which we will keep on file and they will inform groups every 2 months how their total is mounting up and send them a newsletter. To find out more visit www.ghsrecyclingltd.co.uk
Naomi House Winchester and The Cat & Rabbit Rescue Centre Sidlesham are no longer able to accept donations of milk bottle tops.
If you do hear of any schemes for collecting plastic bottle tops for charity, we recommend that you contact the charity in question directly to confirm that they are actually collecting. Any charity would undoubtedly prefer a quick phone call rather than having bags of unwanted bottle tops arriving unexpectedly. And if you find any more genuine charities who are collecting them, please let us know, so that we can pass the message on.
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