Recycling Plastic
In most communities, hard plastics labeled with #1, #2, or #5 are accepted for recycling and in demand to be turned into new products. However, not everything made of plastic can be recycled in your recycling bin. With our new polymer centers, Republic Services is innovating plastic recycling from
Follow these simple plastic recycling guidelines below.
Not all recycling services are available in all areas. Recycling rules may vary depending on where you live.
Please recycle these items
Hard plastic containers like water bottles, milk jugs, and detergent containers can go in your recycling bin. Make sure containers are empty, clean, and dry.
These items cannot be recycled
Plastic foam, straws, utensils, and flexible plastics like grocery bags and bubble wrap cannot go in your recycling bin. Check with local retailers for plastic bag recycling.
Guidelines for plastics recycling
For more tips on how you can become an expert recycler visit
Keep lids on bottles or toss them in the trash — they’re too small to recycle by themselves
Rinse and dry all food and drink containers
Detergent containers are fine, just be sure they’re free of soapy residue
No plastic bags — check with your local grocery store for alternative recycling options
No plastic wrappers from food or packaging
No bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or foam packaging
At Republic Services, we’re investing in innovative technology to advance the circularity of plastics. Learn more about the Republic Services Polymer Center.
Know your plastics
Want to learn more about how a recycling center works?
Take a virtual tour through one of our state-of-the-art recycling centers, and follow the journey of recyclables as they are sorted and baled so they can be turned into new products.
Recycling makes a difference in your community and our world.
Find recycling products and services available near your home or business.
Not all recycling services are available in all areas. Recycling rules may vary depending on where you live.
We make recycling easy! Recycling helps keep valuable materials in the circular economy for the long term.
Click on each material below to learn more about how to properly recycle these items.
