Can You Recycle Plastic Clamshells in the Triangle?

Berry containers. Salad boxes. Bakery containers. Produce packaging.

Plastic clamshells are everywhere, but figuring out how to recycle them can be surprisingly confusing.

Many are marked with a #1 recycling symbol, the same number commonly found on plastic beverage bottles. But that does not automatically mean they can go in your curbside recycling cart.

In the Triangle, Raleigh accepts plastic clamshells curbside, while many neighboring communities do not.

If your local recycling program does not accept them, The ReCollective provides another option. Our blue #1 bag accepts plastic items marked with the #1 recycling symbol, including clamshells.

Plastic Clamshell Recycling in the Triangle

Local recycling rules reviewed July 2026. Recycling programs can change, so check with your municipality when you are unsure.

What Is a Plastic Clamshell?

A plastic clamshell is a rigid plastic container commonly used for food and other consumer products. Some have a hinged lid attached to the base, while others have a separate rigid lid.

Common examples include:

• Berry and grape containers
• Salad greens containers
• Produce containers
• Egg containers
• Herb containers
• Bakery and cookie containers
• Some deli and takeout containers

Many plastic clamshells are marked with a #1 recycling symbol, but not all of them are.

Before recycling an item with The ReCollective, check the recycling symbol on the container.

Not sure what to look for? View our #1 & #5 Plastics Materials Guide for examples of common #1 and #5 plastics.

Are Plastic Clamshells Recyclable?

Yes, many plastic clamshells can be recycled. But whether you can put them in your curbside recycling bin depends on where you live.

This is one of the most confusing parts of plastic recycling.

A recycling number identifies the type of plastic an item is made from. It does not guarantee that your local recycling program accepts every product made from that material.

For example, a recycling program may accept a #1 plastic water bottle but not a #1 plastic berry container.

That is why the answer to “Can I recycle this plastic clamshell?” can change depending on where you live.

Which Triangle Cities Recycle Plastic Clamshells?

Raleigh: Yes

Raleigh accepts plastic clamshell containers in its curbside recycling program.

If you live in Raleigh, plastic clamshells can be recycled through the city’s residential recycling program. Always follow Raleigh’s current recycling guidelines when deciding what belongs in your cart.

Durham: No

Durham does not accept plastic clamshells in its standard curbside recycling program.

That means a berry, salad, or bakery container may have a #1 recycling symbol and still not belong in your curbside recycling cart.

The ReCollective provides Durham residents with another option for recycling #1 plastics, including clamshells.

Cary: No

Cary does not accept plastic clamshells in curbside recycling.

Cary residents who want to keep #1 plastic clamshells out of the trash can recycle them through The ReCollective’s doorstep collection service.

Chapel Hill: No

Plastic clamshells are not accepted in Chapel Hill’s standard recycling program.

The ReCollective serves Chapel Hill and collects #1 plastics, including clamshells, through our blue #1 bag.

Carrboro: No

Plastic clamshells are not accepted in Carrboro’s standard recycling program.

Carrboro residents can use The ReCollective to recycle #1 plastics along with other hard-to-recycle materials.

Hillsborough: No

Plastic clamshells are not accepted in Hillsborough’s standard recycling program.

The ReCollective provides another recycling option for #1 plastic clamshells that cannot go in the local curbside recycling bin.

Why Does Raleigh Accept Clamshells When Nearby Communities Do Not?

Recycling rules are local.

Two neighboring communities can have different recycling guidelines because they may use different collection systems, sorting facilities, processors, or end markets.

That is why you should not rely only on the recycling symbol printed on a package when deciding what goes in your curbside recycling cart.

The recycling symbol tells you what type of plastic an item is made from. Your local recycling program determines whether that particular item is accepted curbside.

This is also why recycling advice found online can be misleading. An item that belongs in a recycling cart in Raleigh may belong in the trash just a few miles away in Cary or Durham.

What Happens If You Put a Clamshell in the Wrong Recycling Bin?

When an item is not accepted by a local recycling program, putting it in the recycling cart does not make it recyclable.

Unaccepted materials can create contamination in the recycling stream and may need to be removed during sorting.

The best approach is to follow the rules for your local recycling program and find a specialized recycling option when one is available.

For #1 plastics, including clamshells, The ReCollective provides another option for households throughout the Triangle.

Recycle #1 Plastics with The ReCollective

The ReCollective helps Triangle households recycle beyond the curbside bin.

Our blue #1 bag accepts plastic items marked with the #1 recycling symbol.

That includes #1 clamshells as well as other #1 plastic items.

Common examples include:

• Berry containers
• Grape containers
• Salad containers
• Produce containers
• Egg containers
• Herb containers
• Bakery containers
• Bottles
• Other plastic items marked #1

The easiest way to know whether an item belongs in the blue bag is to check for the #1 recycling symbol.

Our illustrated guide also shows examples of common #1 and #5 plastics and how to tell the two collection streams apart.

View the #1 & #5 Plastics Materials Guide

What Goes in The ReCollective’s Blue #1 Bag?

Any plastic item marked with the #1 recycling symbol can go in the blue #1 bag.

Before adding an item, check for the recycling symbol and confirm that it is marked #1.

If a lid and container have different recycling symbols, separate them and recycle each piece according to its own number.

Stickers and labels can stay on.

Please do not include plastics marked with other recycling numbers in the blue #1 bag.

View all materials accepted by The ReCollective

How #1 Plastic Recycling with The ReCollective Works

The ReCollective makes it easier to recycle materials that many curbside programs do not accept.

1. Join The ReCollective

Choose the service that works best for your household. Clamshell recycling is add-on service for a small additional fee.

2. Collect Your #1 Plastics

Check each item for the #1 recycling symbol and place accepted items in your blue bag.

3. Set Them Out for Pickup

Place your materials out on your scheduled collection day.

4. We Handle the Next Step

The ReCollective collects, consolidates, and prepares the material for our recycling partners.

The blue #1 bag is available as an add-on to regular service and is also included with the Almost Anything Plan.

Learn more about the Almost Anything Plan

Common Questions About Clamshell Recycling

Can Berry Containers Be Recycled?

It depends on where you live.

In Raleigh, plastic clamshells are accepted curbside. In Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, they are not accepted in the standard curbside recycling program.

If your berry container is marked with the #1 recycling symbol, it can go in The ReCollective’s blue #1 bag.

Can Plastic Salad Containers Be Recycled?

Many plastic salad containers are marked #1, but you still need to follow your local curbside recycling rules.

A #1 salad container may be accepted curbside in Raleigh but not in neighboring communities such as Durham or Cary.

Plastic salad containers marked #1 can go in The ReCollective’s blue #1 bag.

Can Strawberry and Blueberry Containers Be Recycled?

Many strawberry, blueberry, and other berry containers are #1 plastic clamshells.

Check the recycling symbol on the container and follow your local curbside recycling rules.

If the container is marked #1, it can go in The ReCollective’s blue #1 bag.

Does a #1 Recycling Symbol Mean a Clamshell Can Go in My Curbside Recycling Bin?

No.

The #1 symbol identifies the type of plastic. It does not tell you whether your local curbside recycling program accepts that particular item.

Always follow the recycling guidelines for the community where you live.

Can I Put #1 Plastic Bottles in The ReCollective’s Blue Bag?

Yes.

The blue #1 bag accepts plastic items marked with the #1 recycling symbol, including #1 bottles, clamshells, and other #1 plastic items.

Can I Put #5 Plastics in the Blue #1 Bag?

No.

The ReCollective collects #5 plastics separately in the green #5 bag.

View the #1 & #5 Plastics Materials Guide to see examples of the two material streams.

What Should I Do If I Cannot Find a Recycling Number?

Do not place the item in the blue #1 bag unless you can confirm that it is marked with the #1 recycling symbol.

Clamshell Recycling Near You

Looking for somewhere to recycle plastic clamshells in the Triangle?

The ReCollective provides doorstep hard-to-recycle collection in communities including:

• Durham
• Raleigh
• Cary
• Morrisville
• Chapel Hill
• Carrboro
• Hillsborough
• Apex
• Garner
• Wake Forest

For residents whose local curbside program does not accept plastic clamshells, The ReCollective provides a convenient way to recycle #1 plastics from home.

Recycle Beyond the Bin

Your curbside recycling cart is important, but it cannot accept everything.

For Triangle residents whose local recycling program does not accept plastic clamshells, The ReCollective provides a convenient way to recycle #1 plastics, including clamshells, directly from your doorstep.

Keep more useful materials out of the trash. Recycle beyond the bin with The ReCollective.

See how The ReCollective works

View accepted materials