What To Do With Return to A-Z Guide

Plastic Bottle

Plastic bottles are containers that have a narrow opening compared to the body and usually come with a screw-on cap. Plastic bottles labeled #1 (PET) or #2 (HDPE) are accepted in curbside recycling carts and at the Drop-Off Station and Recovery Yard. Caps must be tightly screwed back on the bottle to be recycled. Do not put loose caps in curbside carts. Commonly accepted bottles include water, pop, juice, dressing, and peanut butter jars. Other non-food accepted bottles include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, dish soap, vitamins, and household cleaner bottles.

Recycle Right!

Plastic bottles must be empty, clean, and dry. Secure plastic caps tightly back onto bottles. Do not put loose plastic caps in curbside recycling carts. Loose caps are too small to make it through the recycling sorting process and will drop through the cracks of the machines, resulting in them being treated as trash and not recycled. Screwing caps back on the bottle ensures they get recycled! 

Plastic containers labeled #3, #4, #6, or #7 are not accepted because they are not recyclable. They contaminate and increase the cost of good recyclables.

Recycling plastic is confusing. Learn more about the plastic numbering system and its shortcomings on our Plastics Explained page and watch Chasing Arrows: The Truth About Recycling. This short film is a must-see for anyone trying to understand their role in plastics recycling.

Choose Zero Waste!

Find ways to reduce plastic bottle usage, switch to a reusable water bottle, opt for bar soaps, shampoos, and laundry detergent sheets, buy in larger quantities, and choose brands that use paper or cardboard packaging.

Do any other places accept plastic bottles for recycling?

Michigan is a bottle redemption state. You can return pop bottles to your local grocery store (Kroger, Meijer, etc.), deposit them, and get money in return.