Plastic jugs are containers that have a narrow opening compared to the body and usually come with a screw-on cap. Plastic jugs labeled #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 jug to be recycled. Do not put loose caps in curbside carts. Commonly accepted jugs include milk, vinegar, and laundry detergent jugs.
Recycle Right!
Plastic jugs must be empty, clean, and dry. Secure plastic caps tightly back onto jugs. 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 jug 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!
Reuse and repurpose unavoidable plastic jugs for non-food storage. Find ways to reduce plastic 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.
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