What types of plastics can I recycle curbside? Why are some plastics like trays, and hinged (clamshell) containers not accepted in Hamilton County?

The only plastics acceptable in curbside recycling are bottles, jugs, tubs, and cups. These include items like milk jugs, orange juice bottles, water/pop bottles, shampoo bottles, butter tubs, yogurt containers, clear plastic cups, etc. 

Other plastic containers (strawberry, blueberry, lettuce containers, etc.) are a different type of plastic that is not able to be recycled locally.

Plastic bottles and jugs, in which the body is larger than the mouth, are "blow molded" which means the shape is made by blowing air into a mold, similar to blowing air into a balloon. The other plastic packaging is made in a process called "injection molded," whereby hot liquid plastic is injected into a mold and then removed once it cools and hardens. Blow-molded and injection molded plastics melt and cool at different temperatures, therefore are not compatible in the reprocessing stage. We currently only have local markets for blow-molded plastic packaging.

Show All Answers

1. What is Hamilton County R3Source and what do they do?
2. If an item is not on my acceptable items list, and I think it could be recycled, should I put in my recycling bin/cart?
3. What types of plastics can I recycle curbside? Why are some plastics like trays, and hinged (clamshell) containers not accepted in Hamilton County?
4. Are cups recyclable?
5. What is contamination and why is it bad for recycling?
6. Where do items go for recycling after the hauler has collected them?
7. What are the most common misconceptions about recycling?
8. Which Hamilton County communities are the most successful in their recycling efforts?
9. How can I reduce the amount of junk mail I receive?
10. Can I put yard trimmings, latex paint, household hazardous waste, or electronics in my curbside recycling bin/cart?
11. How can I compost my yard trimmings?
12. How can I recycle or properly dispose of latex paint?
13. How can I recycle or properly dispose of household hazardous waste?
14. How can I recycle or properly dispose of electronic equipment?
15. Since plastic bags, plastic film, etc. can't go in the recycling cart, where can I recycle plastic bags and plastic film?
16. What simple things could any consumer do to reduce the amount of waste put into landfills?