How to Recycle Plastic & Glass Bottles in Northern Virginia

If you live in Northern Virginia, there is a good chance that you have a plastic and glass bottle recycling program in your area. In most cases, you won't even need to take your bottles in to a recycling center; many regions offer a curbside recycling program, allowing you to deposit your bottles in a bin right next to your trash. This is good news, as recycling bottles prevents litter, saves energy and conserves space in our nation's landfills.

Instructions

• 1

  Search for your city or zip code on the Earth 911 website by entering "glass" or "plastic" into the search bar at the top of the page, as well as your city or zip code. A list of recycling centers and programs will display.

• 2

  Click the "curbside" tab on top of your results to see if your zip code or town supports curbside recycling of glass and plastic bottles. This is the most convenient option, as it allows you to leave your recyclables next to your trash to be picked up by a recycling truck.

• 3

  Collect your recyclable plastic and glass bottles. Most plastic bottles are marked on the bottom with a "1" or "2," and these are generally accepted for curbside recycling.

• 4

  Sort your recyclables. All curbside-collected items can be placed in the same recycling bin. Items that you personally take to the recycling facility must be separated by number, and plastics must be separated from glass.

• 5

  Clean and prepare your bottles by removing the caps, lids and pumps, and rinsing them out. You can leave the labels on.

• 6

  Leave your recyclables in a bin by the curb, if curbside pickup is offered. Otherwise, drop them off at your local recycling facility.