Real-world examples of examples of recyclable plastics you actually use

Everyday examples of recyclable plastics in your home

Let’s start with the stuff you actually touch every day. When people ask for examples of examples of recyclable plastics, they’re usually thinking about what’s in their kitchen, bathroom, or garage.

In most U.S. curbside programs, the best examples of widely recyclable plastics are rigid containers made from PET (#1) and HDPE (#2). Think about your last grocery trip. You probably brought home:

• Clear plastic soda and water bottles
• Opaque milk and juice jugs
• Laundry detergent and fabric softener bottles
• Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles
• Cooking oil bottles

All of those are real examples of recyclable plastics in many communities, as long as they’re empty, reasonably clean, and not mixed with non-plastic parts that can’t be processed. The exact rules vary by city, but PET and HDPE containers form the backbone of most municipal recycling programs.

Before we get more specific, one big reminder: always check your local program’s rules. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that recycling access and accepted materials vary widely by location, even for common plastics (EPA recycling basics).

PET (#1): Best examples of recyclable plastics you see every day

When people look for an example of recyclable plastic, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is usually the first that comes to mind. It’s labeled with the #1 inside the chasing arrows symbol.

Some of the clearest examples include:

• Single-use water bottles
• Soda and sports drink bottles
• Clear bottles for salad dressings and some sauces
• Some clear clamshell containers for berries, tomatoes, and bakery items

PET bottles are among the most successfully recycled plastic items in the U.S., with millions of pounds collected each year. They’re often turned into new beverage bottles, food containers, and polyester fibers for clothing and carpet.

However, not every PET item is treated equally. Many cities accept PET bottles but are more cautious about PET clamshells because they can have different additives, labels, and shapes that complicate sorting. This is one of those spots where you want to look at your local recycling guide or search your ZIP code in tools like Earth911’s recycling locator (earth911.com) to confirm.

If you’re looking for the best examples of PET items that are usually accepted:

• Clear beverage bottles with screw tops
• Clear, label-wrapped bottles for juices and teas

Rinse them, remove liquids, and put the cap back on if your local program says caps are accepted (many now are).

HDPE (#2): Real examples of sturdy recyclable plastics

HDPE (high-density polyethylene) gives us another set of strong examples of recyclable plastics that show up all over your home. You’ll usually see the #2 symbol on thicker, more rigid containers.

Real examples of HDPE items that many curbside programs accept include:

• Milk jugs and some juice jugs (often translucent or opaque)
• Laundry detergent and fabric softener bottles
• Household cleaner bottles (if empty and rinsed)
• Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles
• Some large yogurt or dairy tubs (depending on local rules)

These are some of the best examples of containers that recycling systems are actually designed to handle. HDPE is in high demand because it can be recycled into things like new bottles, piping, plastic lumber, and buckets.

A few practical tips:

• Keep lids on if your local program allows it; loose small pieces can fall through sorting equipment.
• Give containers a quick rinse so leftover soap or milk doesn’t contaminate other recyclables.
• If a bottle held hazardous chemicals (like motor oil or certain pesticides), many residential programs do not want them in the regular recycling bin. Those often need special handling through household hazardous waste programs.

PP (#5): Examples include tubs, lids, and “maybe” plastics

Polypropylene (PP, labeled #5) is where things get a little more complicated. The resin itself is recyclable, and the examples of PP items in your home are everywhere, but not every city has strong markets or sorting capability for it yet.

Common examples of examples of recyclable plastics made from PP include:

• Yogurt and sour cream tubs
• Margarine and spread tubs
• Some takeout containers and deli tubs
• Many medicine bottles (check labels and local rules)
• Flip-top lids on ketchup or shampoo bottles

In the last few years, more U.S. programs have begun adding PP tubs and containers to their accepted lists, thanks in part to new investments in sorting facilities and demand from manufacturers looking for recycled PP. Industry coalitions like The Recycling Partnership and the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition have been pushing this trend forward.

Still, PP is the classic “check locally” category. One city might proudly list yogurt tubs as accepted, while the next town over says they’re trash. If your local guide specifically mentions “plastic tubs” or “yogurt cups,” that’s a good sign.

When PP is accepted, some of the best examples include:

• Rinsed yogurt tubs with lids attached
• Deli containers from grocery store salad bars (if your city says yes)

Where it gets tricky: Polystyrene (#6), film plastics, and mixed materials

Now for the less fun part: examples of plastics that look recyclable but often aren’t accepted in curbside bins.

Polystyrene and foam

Polystyrene (#6), which includes foam products often called “Styrofoam,” is a common example of a plastic that confuses people. You’ll see it in:

• Foam takeout boxes and cups
• Foam meat trays
• Packing peanuts and protective foam blocks

Even though some polystyrene can technically be recycled with specialized equipment, most curbside programs in the U.S. do not accept it because it’s lightweight, easily contaminated, and hard to process. A few drop-off programs and mail-back options exist, but they’re limited.

If you’re building a mental list of examples of recyclable plastics for your home, foam is usually one to leave off unless your local program very clearly says otherwise.

Plastic bags and film

Another big category of “not in the curbside bin” plastics is flexible film:

• Grocery and retail bags
• Bread bags and produce bags
• Plastic wrap and some shipping pillows

These are classic real examples of plastics that jam sorting equipment if they’re mixed with regular recyclables. However, many grocery stores and big-box retailers in the U.S. offer separate collection bins for clean, dry bags and film. Those programs typically send the material to be turned into composite lumber or new film products.

Check for store drop-off programs listed through the How2Recycle label system or local retailer websites. The EPA also notes that plastic bags and wraps should not go in curbside bins unless specifically accepted (EPA plastic bags guidance).

Mixed-material packaging

Modern packaging loves to mix materials—plastic with paper, plastic with aluminum, multiple layers of different plastics—and that usually makes recycling harder.

Think about:

• Chip bags with shiny metal-looking interiors
• Squeezable food pouches
• Coffee bags with one-way valves

These items rarely count as good examples of recyclable plastics in municipal systems, even if they have some plastic content. If your city doesn’t list them, it’s safer to keep them out of the bin.

2024–2025 trends: How recycling examples are changing

The examples of recyclable plastics accepted in programs are not frozen in time. Over the last few years, several trends have started to shift what’s possible:

• More PP (#5) acceptance: Many programs that used to only take #1 and #2 bottles now list tubs and some #5 containers as acceptable.
• Improved sorting technology: Optical sorters and AI-assisted systems (yes, real ones in facilities) are helping plants better separate different plastic types, which can expand what’s accepted.
• Producer responsibility laws: States like Maine, Oregon, and Colorado have passed extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging, which aim to improve recycling systems and may eventually change which plastics are prioritized for collection and recycling.
• Standardized labeling: The How2Recycle label, used by many brands, tries to give clearer guidance like “Widely Recycled,” “Check Locally,” or “Not Yet Recycled.” This helps you see which items are real examples of recyclable plastics in practice, not just in theory.

For up-to-date policy and recycling rate data, the EPA remains a solid reference point (EPA facts and figures about materials, waste and recycling).

How to spot good examples of recyclable plastics at a glance

If you don’t want to memorize every resin code, here’s a simple way to think about spotting the best examples of recyclable plastics in your daily life:

• Rigid, bottle-shaped containers like soda bottles, milk jugs, and detergent bottles are usually accepted.
• Rigid tubs (yogurt, margarine, some takeout) are “maybe” items—check your local rules.
• Foam, plastic bags, and squishy film are usually not accepted curbside, even though they might have separate drop-off options.
• Tiny items (like loose straws, utensils, and caps if your program doesn’t allow them) can fall through sorting machinery and are often better off in the trash.

The more you pay attention, the easier it becomes to build your own mental list of examples of examples of recyclable plastics that your specific city or county actually wants.

Putting it into practice: Kitchen, bathroom, and beyond

Let’s walk through a typical day and call out real examples of recyclable plastics you might handle.

In the morning, you might finish:

• A yogurt cup (PP #5) — recyclable in some areas, trash in others.
• A juice bottle (PET #1 or HDPE #2) — commonly recyclable once rinsed.

In the bathroom, you eventually empty:

• A shampoo bottle (often HDPE #2 or PET #1) — frequently accepted.
• A toothpaste tube (often multi-layer plastic and aluminum) — usually not accepted curbside yet.

At lunchtime, you might have:

• A clamshell container from the salad bar (PET #1 or PP #5) — check locally; some programs accept them, others don’t.
• A plastic drink bottle (PET #1) — almost always on the “yes” list.

In the evening, you might toss:

• A cooking oil bottle (PET #1 or HDPE #2) — recyclable if emptied and not overly greasy.
• A foam takeout box (PS #6) — almost always a “no” in curbside recycling.

By looking at your own day this way, you’ll start to see patterns. The best examples of recyclable plastics in your routine are usually rigid bottles and jugs, plus some tubs and clamshells if your city accepts them.

FAQ: Common questions about examples of recyclable plastics

What are the most common examples of recyclable plastics in U.S. homes?

The most common examples of recyclable plastics are PET (#1) beverage bottles, HDPE (#2) milk jugs, detergent bottles, and many personal care bottles. In some areas, PP (#5) tubs like yogurt and margarine containers are also accepted. Always confirm with your local recycling program.

Are plastic bags an example of recyclable plastic?

They are technically recyclable, but not in most curbside bins. Plastic bags and film are real examples of plastics that need separate store drop-off programs because they tangle in sorting equipment. Unless your city specifically says otherwise, keep them out of the bin and look for retail collection points.

Is Styrofoam an example of recyclable plastic?

Styrofoam (foam polystyrene) is a type of plastic, but in practice it’s rarely accepted in curbside recycling. A few specialized drop-off programs exist, but for most people, foam takeout boxes, cups, and packing materials are not good examples of recyclable plastics at home.

How can I check if a specific example of plastic is recyclable where I live?

Use your city or county’s recycling guide, look up your ZIP code on a recycling locator like Earth911, or check for How2Recycle labels on packaging. If your local rules don’t clearly list the item, it’s safer not to assume it’s recyclable, even if it has a resin number.

Why do some examples of plastics have the recycling symbol but still aren’t accepted?

The chasing arrows with a number indicate the type of plastic, not whether your local facility can actually process it. Many items are technically recyclable in theory but lack local markets or infrastructure. That’s why the best examples of recyclable plastics are the ones your specific program openly lists—usually PET and HDPE bottles and, increasingly, some PP tubs.

If you focus on the clear, bottle-shaped containers and sturdy jugs you use every day, you’ll already be getting the best examples of examples of recyclable plastics right. From there, you can gradually add more items—like yogurt tubs or clamshells—as you confirm they’re accepted in your area.