Make the Choice to Recycle Better

Are all #5 polypropylene plastics accepted?

Yes, all food packaging and beverage containers labeled with #5 (typically found on the bottom of the container) are recyclable. The most common types are plastic tubs, as well as bottles, jugs, jars, and cups.

What is considered a plastic tub? 

Containers for butter, sour cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, and fruit slices are examples of plastic tubs.

Are plastic cups accepted?

Yes if the plastic cup has #5 in the recycling symbol. Styrofoam and polystyrene (labeled with a #6) cups will not be accepted. All straws should be disposed of in the trash.

Are the lids to these containers recyclable?

Yes, please place the lid on your empty container and put it into recycling.

Why is it important to recycle polypropylene? 

Polypropylene represents a huge recycling opportunity. Based on capture studies by The Recycling Partnership, they estimate that U.S. single-family households generate more than 2 billion pounds of PP annually so if just 30% of this material was recovered, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 311,000 metric tons and provide 609 million pounds of valuable raw material to companies with recycled content commitments, both voluntary and mandated.

Polypropylene is emerging as a good example of how plastic recycling can and should work. In this case, brands and manufacturers need more recycled feedstock, so they are motivated to invest in consumer education, provide grants for sorting infrastructure, and support markets by buying the material to make new products. Because of this approach, consumers can have a high level of confidence that their yogurt tubs and cold coffee cups really will get recycled into new things.