Why #5 Plastic Can Be Hard to Recycle
#5 polypropylene is used for many different products, including tubs, lids, cups, takeout containers and pill bottles. Similar-looking items can be made from different plastics, and recycling programs do not always accept every shape marked #5. Check every piece individually before adding it to the green bag.
Only rigid plastic clearly marked #5 or PP
Check the recycling symbol on every container, lid and cup. Appearance alone is not enough to identify polypropylene.
Accepted
- Rigid plastic items clearly marked #5 or PP
- Yogurt, butter, sour cream and dip tubs marked #5
- Rigid takeout containers marked #5
- Lids and disposable cups marked #5
- Empty pill bottles marked #5
- Stickers and product labels may stay attached
Not Accepted
- Items with no visible #5 symbol or PP marking
- Plastics marked #1, #2, #3, #4, #6 or #7
- Stretchy plastic film, bags and bubble mailers
- Chip bags, pouches and other crinkly packaging
- Foam or styrofoam containers
- Food, liquids or heavily soiled containers
Prepare and set out the green bag in four steps
Check the symbol
Confirm that each rigid piece is clearly marked #5 or PP.
Separate the pieces
Check the container and lid separately. Include only the pieces marked #5 or PP.
Remove food
Empty the item and give it a quick rinse when needed. It does not need to be spotless.
Set it out with recycling
Place accepted items in the green bag and set it beside your regular recycling bags on a scheduled pickup.
#5 plastic recycling FAQs
What size is the green bag?
Can lids go in the green bag?
Can #5 plastics go in the Plastic Film bag?
What should I do if I cannot find a symbol?
Where do the collected #5 plastics go?
Still unsure about an item?
Send us a photo of the item and its recycling symbol. We would rather help you confirm it than have the wrong plastic enter the bag.
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