What to Recycle

Use the information on this page to identify bathroom products that are commonly accepted by most municipal recycling programs. Give bottles a quick rinse so they are easier to recycle. Put a recycling bin in your bathroom and you will be on your way to recycling more products.

As always, check with your municipality for local recycling guidelines.

Recycle This...

Plastic Bottles

#1 & #2 Plastic Bottles

Plastic bottles marked #1 (PETE) and #2 (HDPE) are recyclable in most communities. This includes bottles containing shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, baby powder, face cleanser, and body oil, excluding bottles made from black plastic.

Paperboard

Paperboard Items

Most paperboard items are recyclable, such as toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, and cartons for over-the-counter drugs, lotions, soaps, bandages, etc.

Plastic Containers

#5 Plastic Containers

Plastic jars and tubs marked #5 (polypropylene) are becoming increasingly recyclable in many communities. Check your local recycling guidelines.

Caps

Caps

Caps can generally be left on bottles. Rinse the bottle and replace the cap.

Which Plastic Bottles Can I Recycle?

Liquid Soap

Liquid Soap

Shampoo

Shampoo &
Conditioner

Lotion

Lotion Bottles
(remove pump)

Mouthwash

Mouthwash

Bodywash

Bodywash

Baby Powder

Baby Powder

Not Commonly Recyclable

Tubes

Tubes

Not yet considered recyclable.

Pums

Pumps

Pumps on bottles are not recyclable because they contain multiple components, including metal springs. Remove pumps and discard pumps into your trash bin before recycling the bottle.

Flexible Film

Flexible Film Packaging

Plastic bags, wraps, and films can’t be recycled in your curbside recycling bins. But, you can take some of these items to local retail stores where they collect plastic grocery bags for recycling. Check package label for the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label.

Floss

Dental Floss Containers

Dental floss containers are made with multiple parts of various materials, so they generally cannot be recycled, except via mail-in and drop-off programs.

The main reasons most Americans say they don’t recycle in the bathroom are lack of awareness and lack of knowledge about what is recyclable. (SOURCE: 2017 Shelton Group Eco Pulse™ study)

Use the information provided here to start recycling in the bathroom today! Explore this site to learn more about recycling personal care products or visit Earth911 to get more information about recycling in your area:

Where to Recycle

How2Recycle

Look for the How2Recycle® label on our products, and many others, to learn how to properly recycle or dispose of product packaging.

How2Recycle