This article was co-authored by Kathryn Kellogg and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. Kathryn is the author of two books focusing on sustainability, 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and 101 Tips for a Zero Waste Kitchen. She is the spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic, has been featured by the Guardian, CNN, Refinery29, and Bustle, and has a following on instagram of over 700k.
There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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We produce about 400 million tons of plastic waste each year.[1] Most of these plastics are dumped into our landfills after a single use, with around 10 million tons dumped into the ocean.[2] The best way to stop this and protect our environment is to recycle. Making a difference can be as easy as recycling your plastic bottles and jugs. In this article, we’ll teach you how to recycle plastic bottles properly and show you where to bring them.
Things You Should Know
- Clean, dry, and remove any labels or packaging from your plastic bottles before recycling them.
- Toss your clean bottles into a designated recycling bin or container if they're stamped with the number 1 or 2.
- Sign up for a weekly recycling curbside program, or drop your recyclable goods off at a recycling center near you.
Steps
How to Recycle Plastic Bottles
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Rinse the bottle and remove the cap and label. Empty the bottle if it contained water. For other liquids, fill the bottle partway with water, put the cap back on, shake it around a bit, and then empty the bottle.[3] Then, ensure your bottle is ready to be recycled with similar plastic by removing any additional caps, labeling, or seals.
- The bottle doesn't need to be perfectly clean, but no residue should be inside.
- The material made to create bottle caps and labels can be different than the plastic of the bottles themselves.
- Most of the time, the cap and label can be left on the bottle; however, it’s always best to be safe.[4]
- You can crush your plastic bottles to save space.
- Don't put your bottles or other recyclables in a bag (paper or plastic). Instead, put them directly into a recycling bin.
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Recycle plastic bottles with the numbers 1 or 2 on the bottom. The number etched into the bottom of a plastic bottle or jug is the resin number, which tells you what kind of plastic the bottle is made of. Plastics with the number 1 or 2 are the easiest and most commonly recyclable, meaning they can likely be taken by any recycling company.[5]
- Resin numbers go from 1 to 7, with 7 being the hardest plastic to recycle. If your bottle has a number other than 1 or 2, double-check that your recycling center or company is able to take them. They may have other preparation steps to ensure they’re recycled properly.[6]
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Use a curbside recycling service, if you can. In most communities, nearby recycling centers offer curbside pickup services. These services require you to fill a designated bin or color-coated trash can with recyclable materials.[7] Then, on a designated day, the company will come by your house and pick it up—similarly to a regular trash service.[8]
- Find out if your community has a curb-side recycling program by chatting with your neighbors or searching “recycling curb-side pick up near me” online.
- If you live in an apartment complex or dormitory, the building or campus will likely have a recycling bin you can dump your bottles in—so don’t hesitate to ask around!
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Drop your plastic bottles off at a recycling center as an alternative. If curb-side pickups don’t stop in your neighborhood, no problem! Look into where the nearest recycling center is located. Simply search “recycling center near me” online and find the closest one. Read through their guidelines or give them a quick call to learn if there are any rules you need to follow to recycle your bottles properly.
- Avoid dropping your plastic bottles off in a plastic bag as these can not be recycled the same way as plastic bottles.[9] Instead, invest in a recycling bin to help you transport the items.
- Consider crushing your bottles if you have a lot of them to save space and make them easier to transport.
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Take your plastic to a buy-back center if there's one in your area. Some states will pay you for your plastic bottles and/or jugs. Check your bottle for the label or stamp “CASH REFUND” or “CRV.” If your bottle has this label, you may be eligible for a small refund when turning your bottle into a recycling center.[10]
- This system is called Bottle Billing.[11]
- Bottle Bill states include California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont.
- A price is typically listed by the “CASH REFUND” or “CRV” stamp. For instance, you might see an amount like 5¢ or 15¢. This determines how much money you’ll get back.[12]
- Keep in mind that just because a certain state offers cash refunds for plastic bottles does not mean that the state's recycling center will take back every bottle, especially if they’re made of other materials or from a different state.
Community Q&A
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QuestionAre all shapes of #1 plastic recyclable as well as narrow-neck bottles?Community AnswerNot necessarily. It's best to check for the recycling information/symbol on the container to make sure that it can be recycled.
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QuestionDo I need to crush cans before recycling them?Community AnswerYou don't have to, but you can if you want to help preserve room in your recycle bin.
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QuestionHow can we recycle with plastic bottles?Community AnswerTake a bottle and fill it 1/4 with bottle caps. Secure the top then use it as a toy for a child or an instrument.
Tips
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Try doing a trash audit to see which items you commonly throw away that you could be recycling.[17]Thanks
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Ask your local recycling company if they also recycle glass.Thanks
Warnings
- If you’re cashing in your recycling, avoid rummaging through other people’s recycling to get bottles. This is known as recycling theft and could cost you a hefty fine.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.unep.org/interactives/beat-plastic-pollution/
- ↑ https://plasticoceans.org/the-facts/
- ↑ https://www.phila.gov/programs/recycling-program/how-to-recycle/
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables#pla
- ↑ https://plasticactioncentre.ca/directory/plastic-by-the-numbers/
- ↑ https://plasticactioncentre.ca/directory/plastic-by-the-numbers/
- ↑ https://www.phila.gov/programs/recycling-program/how-to-recycle/
- ↑ https://www.republicservices.com/residents/recycling-and-solid-waste/plastic
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables#pla
- ↑ https://www.tomra.com/en/reverse-vending/media-center/feature-articles/bottle-bill-states-and-how-they-work
- ↑ https://www.ncsl.org/environment-and-natural-resources/state-beverage-container-deposit-laws
- ↑ https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/bevcontainer/consumers/CashingIn
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics-and-benefits#overview
- ↑ https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2022/5/16/what-really-happens-to-your-plastic-recycling
- ↑ https://oceana.org/blog/recycling-myth-month-plastic-bottle-you-thought-you-recycled-may-have-been-downcycled-instead/
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics-and-benefits
- ↑ Kathryn Kellogg. Sustainability Specialist. Expert Interview. 28 June 2019.
About This Article
Before you try to recycle plastic bottles, check the bottom of each bottle for a number between 1 and 7. This will tell you what kind of plastic the bottle is made of. Contact your local recycling center or look on their website to determine what kinds of plastic they will accept, as well as whether you need to take the caps off of the bottles. If your recycling center offers pick-up, place the bottles in your curbside bin. Otherwise, collect the bottles in a plastic bag and take them to the center yourself. For tips on recycling plastic bottles for money, read on!
Reader Success Stories
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"Excellent article, it reinforced my desire to recycle as much plastic as possible. The stories of plastic and the Earth's water are horrible. I hope we start now to recycle plastic wraps and work out why do many of our industries continue to use plastic for packaging?"..." more