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Home > Recycle > Plastics #3 – #7 Recycling (no Styrofoam)
Plastics 3-7 by warrenski at http://www.flickr.com/photos/warrenski/2528340355/

Plastics Recycling

Most hard plastics #3 - #7 cannot be recycled due to lack of a market. Any CRV container, or larger containers (one gallon or greater in size), can still be placed in your recycling container at your home. You can also recycle them at the locations below.

Currently, there are no markets for rigid containers made from #3 - #7 plastics; however, this could change in the near future. We are always on the look-out for markets that are accepting this material and recycling it in an environmentally responsible way. When that happens we will change this list.

  • #3 - PVC (NOT RECYCLABLE)

  • #4 - LDPE (NOT RECYCLABLE)

  • #5 - PP (Rigid containers sized one gallon or larger are currently recyclable)

    • Full Name: Polypropylene
    • Semi-rigid, low gloss, usually solid white or colored
    • Examples: yogurt containers, ketchup bottles, drinking straws, and other containers
    • Exceptions: Wet suits are often made out of "Poly-pro", but they are not recyclable in your blue bin. Read how to reuse wetsuits.
  • #6 - PS (NOT RECYCLABLE)

    • Full Name: Polystyrene
    • Often brittle and glossy
    • Examples: plastic cups and plates, CD cases, and empty medicine bottles
    • Polystyrene foam (also known as the trademarked Styrofoam) is not recyclable in your blue bin. This is true even if it has #6 and the recycling symbol on it. Read how to reuse Styrofoam.
  • #7 - Other (NOT RECYCLABLE)

    • These plastics are often specially made and contain many types of individual plastics.
    • Examples: Tupperware, reusable drinking bottles, and 3- and 5-gallon water containers

What about hard plastic without a number?

Most of these would be classified as #7, so they are also not recyclable.

What about plastic bags?

Plastic bags, are not recyclable in your blue bin. Please click here for more information about recycling plastic bags.

What about compostable or biodegradable plastic?

Compostable plastic is not recyclable. It is designed to be composted at commercial composting facilities. For most areas in the county, compostable plastic is considered trash; however, if you compost at home and have a hot pile, you can try discarding the compostable plastic there.

How do I get the CRV?

The California Redemption Value is available for beverage containers. Some of the sites below are buyback centers, but not all of them. Check out our CRV Page for details, but if you see "California Redemption Value" on a location listed below, it should be a buyback center. Redeem away!

Where to go

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