Sofia Martinez
Plastic yogurt containers are a common household item, but what happens to them after they're empty? Are they recyclable, or do they end up in landfills? The answer is that it depends on the type of plastic and your local recycling guidelines. Most yogurt containers are made of polypropylene or #5 plastic, which is more durable and has a higher melting point than other plastics. However, many recycling programs no longer accept this type of plastic due to its low recyclable value and the presence of toxic additives. As a result, only about 28% of Americans have access to recycling programs that accept polypropylene containers. So, before tossing your yogurt containers in the recycling bin, it's important to check with your local recycling guidelines and find out if they accept this type of plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | Plastic yogurt containers are generally recyclable, but some sources claim that they are not as recyclable as companies claim them to be. |
| Plastic Type | Polypropylene or #5 plastic |
| Accepted by Recycling Programs | Accepted by some recycling programs, including those in New York City, Greensboro, Rockville, Raleigh, Ann Arbor, and Portland. |
| Not Accepted by Recycling Programs | Many curbside recycling programs do not accept #5 plastic. |
| Alternative Options | Can be dropped off at Whole Foods stores through the Gimme 5 program or mailed to Preserve. Can be reused for gardening, storing seeds, or other household purposes. |
| Lids | May not be accepted by recycling programs due to being made of a different type of plastic or contaminated with food. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic yogurt containers are usually made from polypropylene or #5 plastics
- Curbside recycling programs often don't accept #5 plastics
- You can use Recycle More Plastic's map to find a nearby collection program
- Yogurt containers can be reused to store seeds, buttons, or other small items
- Plastic recycling guidelines vary by location and collector
Plastic yogurt containers are usually made from polypropylene or #5 plastics
Plastic yoghurt containers are typically made from polypropylene, or #5 plastics. This is a durable plastic that can withstand higher temperatures than other plastics. However, polypropylene products are often labelled with the number 5 because they contain toxic additives that make it difficult to turn them into usable items. This means that many recycling programs no longer accept this type of plastic.
In the US, only around half of the country's 373 material recovery facilities (MRFs) say they accept polypropylene tubs. This means that only about 28% of Americans have access to recycling programs that accept these containers. The process of recycling polypropylene is also expensive, as the PP must be picked out of bales of mixed plastic and sold to a limited number of facilities that will accept it.
Despite these challenges, there are still ways to recycle your yoghurt containers. Some communities, such as New York City, still accept #5 plastic through their curbside recycling programs. You can also use online resources, such as Recycle More Plastic's map, to find a nearby collection program specifically for polypropylene plastic. Additionally, some companies like Whole Foods have initiatives to collect #5 plastic for recycling, and you can also mail your yoghurt containers to these companies for recycling.
If you are unable to recycle your yoghurt containers, you can consider reusing them. Some ideas for reusing plastic yoghurt containers include growing plants, storing seeds, or repurposing them into resealable containers for small items like buttons, craft materials, hair ties, nails, or screws.
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Curbside recycling programs often don't accept #5 plastics
Plastic yogurt containers can be recycled, but it's important to understand the nuances of recycling different types of plastics. Curbside recycling programs often don't accept #5 plastics, which is the type of plastic that many yogurt containers are made of. This is because #5 plastics, or polypropylene, often contain toxic additives, making it difficult to turn them into usable items. Additionally, polypropylene is typically collected in bales of mixed plastic, which include resins labelled with numbers 3 through 7.
The process of separating #5 plastics from these bales is challenging and expensive, and only a limited number of facilities accept this type of plastic. As a result, many curbside recycling programs have stopped accepting #5 plastics. However, there are still some communities that accept a wider variety of plastics, including #5. For example, cities like New York, Greensboro, Rockville, Raleigh, and Ann Arbor accept #5 plastics.
If your local curbside program doesn't accept #5 plastics, there are alternative options for recycling your yogurt containers. You can use online resources, such as Recycle More Plastic's map, to find a nearby collection program specifically for polypropylene plastic. Additionally, some companies, like Preserve's Gimme 5 program, offer drop-off locations or mail-in options for recycling #5 plastics.
It's worth noting that even if your community accepts plastic yogurt containers, they may not accept the lids, as they are often made with a different type of plastic than the tub. It's important to separate the lids and containers before recycling, and check with your local recycling guidelines to ensure you're following the correct procedures.
While recycling is an important step towards sustainability, reducing plastic consumption and reusing plastic containers are also crucial. Reusing plastic containers for storage or gardening purposes can help extend their lifespan and reduce the amount of plastic waste.
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You can use Recycle More Plastic's map to find a nearby collection program
Plastic yogurt containers are typically made of polypropylene or #5 plastics. This type of plastic is more durable than usual and can withstand greater temperatures. However, many recycling programs no longer accept polypropylene plastic because it has little recyclable value. Additionally, the foil lids on yogurt containers are also difficult to recycle as both the lid and the container come into contact with food, which some recycling facilities consider contaminated items.
If your local recycling program doesn't accept #5 plastic, you can use Recycle More Plastic's map to find a nearby collection program that does. This map is specifically designed to help you recycle polypropylene plastic. You can also drop off old yogurt containers at Whole Foods stores through the Preserve's Gimme 5 program. Collection bins are usually located at the storefront or in the cafe area. Alternatively, you can mail them directly to Preserve—just reuse an old box to keep the process eco-friendly.
It's important to note that recycling guidelines and accepted materials can vary by location and collector. Be sure to reference the specific guidelines of the entity that collects your recycling to ensure you're recycling correctly. For example, New York City accepts #5 plastic, so Chobani containers can be recycled through their curbside program. Greensboro, North Carolina, also accepts yogurt containers through their local curbside program, but they advise against recycling anything smaller than a yogurt cup.
While most single-use plastic containers, such as yogurt or fruit cups, can be recycled as part of your household recycling collection, it's always good to check. Some plastics are easier to recycle than others, and some require specialized recycling. For example, plastic bags should not be put into your household collection as they are a different type of plastic and can be harmful to recycling equipment.
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Yogurt containers can be reused to store seeds, buttons, or other small items
Plastic yogurt containers are mostly made of polypropylene or #5 plastic, which is a more durable type of plastic that can withstand higher temperatures. However, many recycling programs no longer accept this type of plastic because it has little recyclable value. As a result, only about 28% of Americans have access to recycling programs that accept polypropylene containers.
If your local recycling program doesn't accept #5 plastic, you can use Recycle More Plastic's map to find a nearby collection program specifically for this type of plastic. You can also drop off old yogurt containers at Whole Foods stores through Preserve's Gimme 5 program, or mail them directly to Preserve. Some communities, like New York City, Greensboro (NC), Rockville (MD), Raleigh (NC), and Ann Arbor (MI), will take a wider variety of plastics, including #5.
While recycling is a great option, yogurt containers can also be reused in a variety of ways. One idea is to use them to store seeds, buttons, or other small items. If you're a gardener, you can use the containers to grow plants, as suggested by a user on Reddit. You can also use them to store leftovers or other food products, especially if you have the lids. Just be aware that some sources claim that plastic may not be safe for food storage, as it can be difficult to sanitise and may leech into foods.
Before tossing your yogurt containers in the recycling bin, be sure to check with your local recycling guidelines, as rules can vary by location and collector.
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Plastic recycling guidelines vary by location and collector
In general, most single-use plastic containers, such as yogurt or fruit cups, are acceptable for household recycling, as long as they are clean and empty. However, it is important to note that recycling guidelines for plastic yogurt containers specifically may differ based on your location and the company that collects your recycling.
For example, some communities, like New York City and Greensboro, North Carolina, accept #5 plastic, which includes yogurt containers, through their curbside recycling programs. On the other hand, many other communities do not accept #5 plastic through their curbside programs, which can make it more challenging to recycle yogurt containers.
If your local curbside program does not accept #5 plastic, there are still options for recycling your yogurt containers. You can use resources such as Recycle More Plastic's map to find a nearby collection program specifically for polypropylene plastic. Additionally, some companies, like Whole Foods, partner with recycling initiatives like Preserve's Gimme 5 program, which accepts #5 plastic items, including yogurt containers, at their stores.
It is worth noting that even if your community accepts plastic yogurt containers, they may not accept the lids, especially if they are made of foil or a different type of plastic than the tub. It is always a good idea to separate the lid and rinse the container before placing it in the recycling bin.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic yogurt containers are usually made of polypropylene or #5 plastic. Many curbside recycling programs do not accept this type of plastic, but some do. Check with your local recycling center to see if they accept #5 plastic.
You can use Recycle More Plastic's map to find a nearby collection program that does accept #5 plastic. You can also drop off old yogurt containers at Whole Foods stores through the Preserve's Gimme 5 program.
You can mail your #5 plastic to Preserve directly using the address on their website. There is no charge for this other than the cost of shipping.
There is little information available about whether foil yogurt lids are recyclable. If your community accepts clean aluminum foil, it is worth calling to ask if they will also take aluminum yogurt container lids.
Yes, you can use them to store seeds, buttons, craft materials, hair ties, nails, screws, and other small items. You can also use them as plant pots, or even as food storage containers if you make your own yogurt.
