Plastic Utensil Reuse Guide

Can You Recycle Plastic Silverware?

Wondering what to do with unused plastic utensils? The ReCollective accepts unopened takeout silverware, cutlery, and utensil sets during designated ReCo Pick collections so they can be redistributed for community reuse.

Wrapped takeout utensils and cutlery

Reuse Unopened Plastic Utensils Instead of Throwing Them Away

Unopened takeout utensils are often included with meals even when they are not needed. Keeping sealed utensils out of the landfill allows them to be shared with community organizations that can put them to use.

The ReCollective accepts complete utensil sets and individual utensils that remain sealed in their original wrapper or unopened box.

What to include

What Plastic Silverware & Takeout Utensils Are Accepted?

Everything must be unused and remain sealed in its original plastic wrapper or unopened box.

Accepted

  • Wrapped silverware sets
  • Individually wrapped spoons, forks, and knives
  • Wrapped utensil kits that include napkins
  • Sealed utensils made from plastic, wood, or compostable materials
  • Unopened boxes of takeout utensils or cutlery

Please Leave Out

  • Loose or unwrapped utensils
  • Opened utensil kits or partially opened boxes
  • Used utensils
  • Anything that is no longer protected by its original packaging
Where it goes

Place Utensils in Your ReCo Pick Bag

Put accepted wrapped utensils and cutlery inside the canvas ReCo Pick bag. Do not place them loose in the black collection bag.

Keep the packaging intact: utensils can only be redistributed when they remain unused and sealed in their original wrapper or unopened box.
Before your pickup

How to Prepare Your Utensils

Check the Packaging

Make sure every utensil or set is unused and still sealed in its original wrapper or unopened box.

Keep Sets Together

Leave complete utensil kits intact. Keep smaller wrapped utensils together so they remain easy to sort.

Use the ReCo Pick Bag

Place the prepared utensils inside your canvas ReCo Pick bag and return the bag with your regular ReCo pickup.

Recycle or reuse?

Can Plastic Silverware Be Recycled?

This ReCo Pick is a reuse collection, not a material-recycling stream. The ReCollective accepts only unused, sealed utensils so they can be redistributed to community partners rather than discarded.

Important: Used, loose, or opened utensils are not accepted through this collection. Keep the original packaging intact so the utensils remain suitable for reuse.
Materials being sorted at The ReCollective warehouse in Durham
After collection

What Happens to Donated Plastic Utensils?

Wrapped utensils return to The ReCollective’s Durham warehouse, where the team confirms that they are unopened and sorts them for community reuse.

1

Inspect: The team checks that each utensil or set remains sealed and unused.

2

Sort: Utensils are organized into complete sets, individual pieces, and boxed supplies.

3

Redistribute: Usable utensils are provided to community partners that can put them back to work.

Community partner: The ReCollective works with TROSA and other local recipients to support reuse.
Common questions

Plastic Silverware & Takeout Utensil FAQs

Quick answers about reuse, accepted packaging, and ReCo Pick collection instructions.

Can plastic silverware be recycled?

The ReCollective’s takeout-utensil ReCo Pick is a reuse collection rather than a material-recycling stream. We accept only unused, sealed utensils so they can be redistributed to community partners.

Where can I donate unused plastic utensils?

The ReCollective accepts qualifying unopened takeout utensils during designated ReCo Pick collections. Accepted items are sorted at our Durham warehouse and provided to TROSA and other local recipients for community reuse.

Does The ReCollective accept loose plastic forks, spoons, or knives?

No. Utensils must be unused and remain sealed in their original wrapper or unopened box. Loose, opened, or used utensils are not accepted.

Do the utensils have to be individually wrapped?

Not necessarily. We accept individually wrapped utensils, wrapped silverware sets, sealed utensil kits, and unopened boxes. The key requirement is that the original packaging remains sealed.

Can I include wooden or compostable utensils?

Yes. Sealed utensils made from plastic, wood, or compostable materials are accepted as long as they are unused and remain in their original packaging.

How should I pack takeout utensils for pickup?

Place accepted wrapped utensils inside your canvas ReCo Pick bag. Do not place them loose in the black collection bag.

When can I set out plastic utensils?

Standard monthly members should set them out only during the month this ReCo Pick is featured. Almost Anything Plan members may place approved ReCo Pick materials in the ReCo Pick bag during any monthly pickup.

ReCo Pick Reminders

Standard monthly members Set out wrapped takeout utensils only during the month this ReCo Pick is featured.
Almost Anything Plan members You may place approved ReCo Pick materials in your ReCo Pick bag during any monthly pickup.
Use the ReCo Pick bag Place accepted wrapped utensils inside the canvas ReCo Pick bag, not loose in the black collection bag.
Return all canvas bags Return all of your canvas bags each time you set out recycling so the team can provide a complete replacement kit.
Related information

Other Reuse & Recycling Guides

Used kitchenware recycling guide Reuse guide Used Kitchenware View guide Used shipping mailers recycling guide Reuse guide Used Mailers View guide Crinkly packaging recycling guide Recycling guide Crinkly Packaging View guide Plastic film and bags recycling guide Recycling guide Plastic Film & Bags View guide
Service information

Local Pickup & Mailback

City page Durham View local information City page Raleigh View local information City page Cary View local information City page Chapel Hill & Carrboro View local information Mailback Almost Anything Bag View mailback information