How to Recycle Collection Containers

The plastic collection containers for sorting city and county recycling are also recyclable. If the service gave you the collection container for free, or for a small fee, they may still own it. If you paid full price for it, or bought it elsewhere, you'll be able to recycle it on your own. Before you recycle any containers, make sure you're following the proper procedures.

• 1

  Look on the collection containers for the business name or phone number of the recycling center that originally distributed them. On a large container with a lid, it's usually on the top or inside of the lid. For the small open-top plastic boxes used for sorting recycling, it's usually on the side or bottom. Call the company and ask how to return the containers for recycling.

• 2

  Check the bottom of the container for a triangle with the number one through seven inside. This is the Society of the Plastic Industry's ID number for types of plastic, and it makes it faster for recycling centers to sort plastics for melting. You'll most likely see a number between four and seven on the collection container.

• 3

  Place the collection containers in your recycling bin at the curbside if you have curbside recycling and if you own the bins. They are most likely to be recycled everywhere if the number one or two is on the bottom of the container, but the other plastics can be recycled in some areas.

• 4

  Return the collection containers to the recycling center where they came from for the fastest and most thorough recycling. If you paid a small fee when you first got them, the center may refund it when they're returned.