Sofia Martinez
Plastic storage bins are hard to recycle due to their size and composition. They cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin as they are often too large and kerbside recycling services are not equipped to take these boxes. However, there are alternative ways to recycle or reuse them. Many local governments and private companies run recycling programmes that accept plastic storage bins. Additionally, some brands sell storage bins made from recycled plastic, which can help reduce your carbon footprint.
How to recycle plastic storage bins
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic storage bins can be recycled at | County governments, private companies, local recycling centers, and waste management centers |
| Plastic storage bins can be reused to store | Garden and woodwork supplies, pet toys and leads, muddy shoes, recyclable materials |
| Plastic storage bins can be purchased from | TerraCycle, Office Depot, Target, Walmart, The Container Store, Lowe's, Home Depot, and other hardware stores |
| Plastic storage bins should not be used to store | Antique linens, clothing made of leather and fur |
| Plastic storage bins should have | The recycling symbol, numbers inside a triangle, letters HDPE or PP |
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What You'll Learn
Check for recycling symbols and numbers
Plastic storage bins are hard to recycle. They cannot be placed in your recycling bin due to their size and the fact that kerbside recycling services are not set up to take these boxes. However, some bins are recyclable and will contain this information on the website of the brand. For example, Really Useful Boxes makes its products from recyclable plastic and states that they can be put in recycling bins.
Before you recycle, you should check if your plastic storage bins have any recycling symbols or numbers on them. If they do, this will help you determine how to recycle them properly. Most plastic products will have a recycling symbol, usually a triangle made of three arrows, embossed or printed on them. This symbol may also have a number in the middle, ranging from one to seven, which indicates the type of plastic the product is made of.
If your plastic storage bins have a number one and the letters PET or PETE, this means they are made of polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly used for beverage bottles and food containers. This type of plastic is widely accepted by recycling programs and can be recycled into new products such as clothing, car parts, and furniture.
If your bins have a number two and the letters HDPE, it means they are made of high-density polyethylene, which is commonly used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, and plastic bags. HDPE is considered a safe plastic for food storage and is also widely recycled.
Number five and the letters PP indicate polypropylene, a plastic often used for food containers and disposable bottles. While it is considered safe for reuse, only some places will recycle it.
If your plastic storage bins do not have any recycling symbols or numbers, you can check the manufacturer's website or contact them directly to find out if their products are recyclable and how to properly recycle them.
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Reuse plastic storage bins around the house
Plastic storage bins are difficult to recycle due to their size and the type of plastic used. They are often too large to fit in recycling bins, and kerbside recycling services are usually not equipped to handle them. However, instead of discarding them, you can find several creative ways to reuse plastic storage bins around your house.
One idea is to utilise them for storage and organisation. You can use plastic bins to store items in various areas of your home, such as the garage, shed, or under the stairs. They are perfect for holding garden and woodwork supplies, pet accessories, or even muddy shoes. If you have a car, consider keeping a bin in the boot for supplies during day trips and outings. Additionally, plastic bins can be handy for storing recyclable materials that don't fit in your regular recycling bin. Once the storage bin is full, you can take the collected recyclables to your local recycling centre.
Another way to reuse plastic storage bins is to incorporate them into your crafting and hobby spaces. They can be used to organise art and craft supplies, such as crayons, markers, feathers, beads, and paint jars. If you sew or do other textile work, plastic bins can neatly store and sort your sewing kit, ribbons, strings, and even fabric offcuts.
Plastic storage bins can also be handy in the kitchen and pantry. While it is not recommended to store food in plastic containers due to potential health concerns, you can use them to organise items like spices, seasoning packets, or snacks. This makes it easier to find and access specific items without rummaging through cabinets.
Lastly, plastic storage bins can be useful for storing toys and games. Small plastic containers can keep tiny pieces of board games or dress-up accessories like jewellery and badges in one place, ensuring they don't get lost or strewn around the house.
Before discarding plastic storage bins, consider their potential for reuse in your home. By finding new purposes for them, you can reduce waste, stay organised, and even save money on buying new storage solutions.
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Find alternative places to recycle plastic
Plastic storage bins are difficult to recycle due to their size and the fact that most kerbside recycling services are not equipped to take these items. However, there are alternative places to recycle your plastic storage bins.
Firstly, check with your local government, as some counties have alternative places to take plastic items for recycling. For example, Newton (MA) and Santa Cruz list plastic storage containers among the hard-to-recycle items they accept. You can also search beyond government organizations and look into private companies that run recycling programs. Check online or in the phone book for the closest one to you, or ask your local recycling coordinator or waste management agency for suggestions.
Retail and grocery stores often accept plastic materials for recycling, so it is worth asking your local stores if they do this. You can also check online resources such as Earth911 to find a location near you that recycles plastic. Additionally, some brands make their products from recyclable plastic, so check the brand's website to see if your plastic storage bins can be recycled. For instance, Really Useful Boxes makes all of their products from recyclable plastic and states that they can be put in recycling bins.
If your plastic storage bins are still in good shape, you could also consider donating them to local places that take donations, such as schools, places of faith, charities, or non-profits.
Finally, if you are unable to find anywhere that will recycle your plastic storage bins, you could reuse them. Plastic storage bins can be useful for holding other recyclable materials that cannot fit in your kerbside bins. Once the storage bin is full, you can take it to your local recycling center. They can also be used for storage around the house, such as in the garage or shed, or for storing pet toys and leads, or muddy shoes.
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Cut large containers into smaller pieces
If you have large plastic storage bins that you want to recycle, you may need to cut them into smaller pieces first. This is because large containers simply won't fit in your recycling bin and kerbside recycling services are usually not set up to take these boxes.
To cut large containers into smaller pieces safely, you will need to use the right tools and take the proper safety precautions. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Choose the right tool: The best tools for cutting through thick plastic are a fine-toothed saw, a jigsaw, or a table saw. Jigsaws and table saws are perfect for cutting thicker and larger pieces of plastic, while fine-toothed saws offer the cleanest cuts. You can also use a regular wood saw (ripsaw) if that's all you have. Avoid using scissors, as they tend not to work well on thick plastic.
- Prepare the plastic: Clamp the plastic container to a workbench or hold it firmly on a flat surface so it doesn't move while you're cutting. If the plastic is very thick, you may want to consider drilling small holes along the line you want to cut to weaken the plastic first. This will make it easier to cut through.
- Start cutting: Use the full length of the blade and move the saw in quick, smooth motions. If you're using a jigsaw, hold the object you're cutting firmly, or use a C-clamp to secure it to the table. Pull the trigger and hold the saw's handle steadily while applying firm pressure to cut through the plastic.
- Smooth out the edges: If you use a jigsaw or table saw, you will likely need to use a deburring tool to smooth out any sharp edges created by the cutting process.
- Dispose of the plastic pieces: Once you have cut the large container into smaller pieces, you can place them inside a trash bag and put them out for collection. Alternatively, you can take them to a local recycling centre or waste management centre if they accept plastic pieces for recycling.
Remember always to take the necessary safety precautions when working with sharp tools. Wear protective eyewear and a dust mask, especially when using power tools like a circular saw.
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Buy recycled plastic storage bins
Plastic storage bins are difficult to recycle. They cannot be put in your recycling bin because of their size, and kerbside recycling services are not equipped to take these boxes. However, there are some recycled plastic storage bin options available for purchase.
TerraCycle
TerraCycle recycles a variety of plastic products, including plastic pens, water filters, and pitchers. They also make plastic storage bins from the recycled materials they collect. Their products are available at Target, Walmart, and on the TerraCycle website.
Office Depot
Office Depot sells boxes made from 100% recycled plastic for storing documents and other office supplies. They also sell Really Useful Boxes, which are made from recyclable plastic and can be recycled in council recycling bins.
Re-stak
Re-stak offers a range of stackable, 100% recycled PET bins in different colours and sizes. Each bin keeps up to 12 post-consumer plastic bottles out of the landfill and can be used in the kitchen, bathroom, office, and more.
ECOstorage
ECOstorage sells heavy-duty recycled plastic storage containers with lids and easy-grip handles. These bins are made from up to 99% recycled material and are stackable, making them great for storing larger and heavier items. They are available on Amazon.
When purchasing plastic storage bins, look for products made from recycled plastic to reduce your carbon footprint and support sustainable practices. Additionally, consider buying from brands that are committed to using recycled materials and offer recyclable packaging.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic storage bins are typically too large to fit in recycling bins. Additionally, most curbside recycling programs are not set up to recycle these items, focusing instead on things like plastic water bottles, milk cartons, and shampoo bottles.
You can check if your local government has alternative places to take plastic items for recycling. Many private companies also run recycling programs. You can also check if your local recycling center will accept plastic storage containers.
If your plastic storage bins are still in good shape, you can reuse them around the house. For example, you can use them to store garden and woodwork supplies in your garage or shed, or to store pet toys and leads.
Really Useful Boxes makes all of their products from recyclable polypropylene, while TerraCycle makes plastic storage bins from recycled plastic.
You should hose them out with a garden hose before taking them to be recycled.
