Plastics (#1 and #2)

Empty plastic water bottles

If the container has a twist-off lid, that's a good indicator the item can go in your curbside recycling cart. Another way to check is to look at the item. All #1 and #2 plastics can go in the blue cart.

Labels and lids can remain on the items, but pumps should be thrown away.

Examples of common recyclable plastics:

  • Laundry detergent bottles
  • Soda and water bottles
  • Food jars (peanut butter, mayonnaise)
  • Soap bottles (hand soap, dish soap)
  • Shampoo and body wash bottles
  • Squeeze bottles (ketchup, mustard)
  • Milk cartons, juice cartons, soup cartons, broth cartons   

Before recycling, make sure the containers are empty and rinsed. Food residue can contaminate recycling and make materials harder to process. 

Not accepted:

  • Squeeze tubes, ointment tubes, etc.
  • Plastic toys
  • Plastic bags
  • Tupperware
  • Food containers without a twist-off (yogurt, margarine)
  • Take-out food containers 
  • Food pouches (chip bags, candy bags) 
  • Styrofoam
  • Orange or amber prescription medicine bottles (Typically, these are #5 plastics and have UV coating that is not recyclable.)

The items on this list are made from different types of plastics that cannot be processed with the recyclables being collected.

Plastic bags and plastic film may be accepted at grocery stores such as Hy-Vee or Target for their recycling programs.

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