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...
#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 Items
Most paperboard items are recyclable, such as toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, and cartons for over-the-counter drugs, lotions, soaps, bandages, etc.
#5 Plastic Containers
Plastic jars and tubs marked #5 (polypropylene) are becoming increasingly recyclable in many communities. Check your local recycling guidelines.
Caps
Caps can generally be left on bottles. Rinse the bottle and replace the cap.
Which Plastic Bottles Can I Recycle?
Liquid Soap
Shampoo &
Conditioner
Lotion Bottles
(remove pump)
Mouthwash
Bodywash
Baby Powder
Not Commonly Recyclable
Tubes
Not yet considered recyclable.
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 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.
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.
