Plastic Recycling
Reusing your plastic containers or recycling plastics for use in new products is better for the environment.
Plastics
And that’s where we can help! Coming soon… our innovative Polymer Center is just one of the ways Republic Services is actively investing in the planet by putting more recycled plastics back to work.
What Can You Recycle?
It’s important to understand how to recycle plastic and what plastics cannot be recycled.
Recycle These Plastics
Hard plastic containers like water bottles, milk jugs and detergent containers can go in your recycling – just make sure they’re empty, clean and dry!
Trash These Plastics
Plastic foam, straws, utensils and flexible plastics such as grocery bags and bubble wrap do not belong in your recycling bin.
Types of Plastics
In most communities, hard plastic labeled with #1, #2 or #5 can be recycled and are in demand to be turned into new products.
#1 plastic: polyethylene terephthalate
#2 plastic: high-density polyethylene
#3 plastic: polyvinyl chloride
#4 plastic: low-density polyethylene
#5 plastic: polypropylene
#6 plastic: polystyrene
#7 plastic: other
Guidelines for Recycling Plastics
Do:
- Keep lids on bottles or toss them in the trash; they’re too small to recycle on their own.
- Rinse and dry all food and drink containers.
- Make sure detergent containers are free of soapy residue.
Don’t:
- No plastic bags.
- No plastic wrappers from food or packaging.
- No bubble wrap, packing peanuts or foam packaging.
Find Other Services in Your Area
Join Us on a Recycling Center Tour
Take a virtual tour through one of our state-of-the-art recycling centers and see how your recyclables are sorted and baled to be turned into new products.
Welcome to The Republic Services Polymer Center
Say hello to plastics circularity!
Through innovation and investment, Republic Services is opening its first Polymer Center in 2023. This will enable us to manage the plastics stream through an integrated process from curbside recycling pickup to production and delivery of high-quality recycled content for consumer packaging.
Recycling 101
The more you know, the bigger impact you can make.
Recycling plays an important role in protecting our planet. Discover how easy and impactful it is. Our planet is precious. Let’s protect it together.
Leading the Way in
Environmental Services
At Republic Services, we’re dedicated to creating a cleaner, safer, healthier world for all. Millions of customers rely on us for products and services that protect our environment and the communities we serve.
