How to Recycle Plastic Tubs

Reusing plastic tubs keeps them out of a landfill, reduces waste and helps to preserve resources. Confusion can arise about what to recycle and how to recycle it. Learn the basics about what kinds of plastic tubs to recycle and how to recycle them, in order to contribute correctly to the recycling effort.

Things You'll Need

• Boxes (optional) Indoor trash can for recycling

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Instructions

• 1

  Check with your sanitation company for information about curbside recycling. Many companies offer commingled recycling bins and will deliver one to your home. A commingled recycling bin may be filled will all types of recycling that the company picks up, including eligible plastics, such as grocery tubs.

• 2

  Request a list of eligible items for the curbside recycling program. Most recycle clean paper, glass bottles, plastic bottles and other clean containers, including some plastic tubs. If you don't have curbside recycling, call a recycling center or county dump and request a brochure or website address for a list of what they recycle. Ask if it's necessary to separate the different types of item to be recycled. Some facilities require the types of plastic sorted by symbol and separated for recycling.

• 3

  Look for a recycling symbol on plastic tubs. The recycling symbol is a triangle of arrows chasing each other. A number shows in the middle of the symbol, indicating the recycling group to which the container's material belongs. Sometimes the recycling program limits the types of plastics it collects. For example, even though a plastic tub has a recycling symbol on it, it might not be eligible for curbside recycling in your area. For example, the curbside program might only accept plastic resin. Some margarine tubs, desert cups and other food tubs contain this.

• 4

  Rinse the plastic tubs clean. Hot water works best for greasy tubs from margarine, cream cheese or oily foods. Tubs with food residue aren't eligible for recycling and create a stink in recycling containers.

• 5

  Toss the clean plastic tubs in with the rest of the recycling for commingled curbside recycling. If the recycling program or facility requires sorting, mark boxes with labels or numbers to organize the recyclables. For example, have different boxes labeled for different types of plastic.