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Montgomery County, Maryland
MC311

How to recycle / dispose plastic lids and bottle caps

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We accept plastic bottles, containers, tubs, and lids for recycling

What plastic bottles, containers, tubs, and lids are accepted for recycling?

examples of accepted plastic items

Download our plastics postcard for handy reference.

See bulky rigid plastics we accept for drop-off

See photo examples of plastics we accept in our Flickr photo set

We accept these plastic item types with these resin numbers with these examples
bottles

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

plastic bottles that contained food, drink and household products, medicine, pill, and vitamin bottles
containers, tubs and lids; pails and buckets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 (except items marked biodegradable or compostable) mayonnaise, peanut butter, yogurt, cream cheese and butter containers; deli and ice cream tubs; yogurt cups; medicine vials; detergent, pet food and kitty litter containers; #1 PET thermoform plastics including: clamshell containers, bakery trays and cake domes, deli containers and trays, fruit and vegetable containers and baskets, cups, tubs and lids
Tupperware™ or Rubbermaid™ -type durable plastic containers and lids    
nursery and flower pots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 all colors of rigid pots
beverage (stadium) cups   fast-food fountain drink cups

How do I prepare plastics for blue bin collection?

Remove tops and lids. Labels and plastic rings around the neck of the bottles are okay.

Empty and rinse all containers.

Place plastic bottles, containers, tubs and lids in your blue recycling bin with other commingled materials for curbside recycling collection.

What do I do with lids and caps?

We accept plastic lids and caps for recycling.

Take the caps and lids off of bottles and containers first before putting them into your recycling bin.

What plastic items are not accepted?

We do not accept these items for recycling:

  • biodegradable or compostable plastic items
  • plastic bottles or containers that held automotive products or hazardous materials, such as motor oil, antifreeze and pesticides
  • plastic bags, film, or wrap - how to recycle plastic bags
  • non-bottle items made from any type of #6 plastic (polystyrene and Styrofoam™ products), such as
    • lids from soft-drink cups
    • solo cups (red and blue)
    • plastic 6-pack beverage rings
    • plastic knives, forks, and spoons (utensils)
    • plastic or foam egg cartons
    • polystyrene “clamshell” containers
    • packaging from small electronics and toys
    • jewel cases from CDs and DVDs - how to dispose or reuse jewel cases
    • flexible plastic trays and individual containers for plants and seedlings, including 4-pack and 6-pack plant containers
  • plastic shower curtains
  • plastic straws
  • tennis ball canisters
  • plastic tubes
  • containers holding syringes or other sharps. (Also, never place syringes or other sharps directly in the blue bin.)

Locations accepted

  • Transfer Station
  • Curbside Collection

Material type

  • Recycling