Effective Ways To Recycle Plastic Yogurt Containers

Plastic yogurt containers are typically made from polypropylene or #5 plastics, a more durable type of plastic that can withstand greater temperatures. While some recycling programs do not accept this type of plastic, there are still ways to recycle your yogurt containers properly. It is important to recycle plastic items properly to avoid contamination and having the entire batch rejected and thrown into a landfill.

How to recycle plastic yoghurt containers

Identify the type of plastic

To recycle a plastic yogurt container, the first step is to identify the type of plastic it is made of. This is because different types of plastics have different recycling processes, and not all recycling centres accept all types of plastics.

The type of plastic a product is made of is identified by a number on its bottom. This number is usually found inside a triangle and represents the type of resin used. For example, Chobani, Fage, and Yoplait containers are #5 plastic, which corresponds to polypropylene (PP). Polypropylene is a polymer plastic that is considered food-safe and is used in a variety of products, including yogurt containers, ketchup bottles, margarine containers, and cottage cheese cups. It is more durable than other plastics and can withstand greater temperatures. However, it often contains toxic additives that make it difficult to recycle.

Some other common types of plastic and their corresponding numbers are:

• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) - #1
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE) - #2
• Polystyrene - #6, used in foam cups and trays

It is important to note that just because a product has a recycling symbol on it does not mean that it is recyclable. The "'chasing arrows'" symbol, for example, is often used by plastic manufacturers to indicate that a product is recyclable. However, this symbol does not always guarantee recyclability, as the recycling infrastructure and market for certain types of plastics may be limited.

If you are unsure about the recyclability of a plastic yogurt container, you can check with your local recycling centre or use online resources to look up the recycling rules for your specific program. Additionally, some companies and organizations offer specialized recycling programs for certain types of plastics, such as the Gimme 5 program by Preserve, which accepts #5 plastic and uses it to create new consumer products.

Check with your local recycling centre

It is important to check with your local recycling centre to see if they accept plastic yogurt containers, as the answer can vary from place to place. Some areas have more comprehensive plastic recycling programs than others. For example, in 2015, Rockville (MD), Raleigh (NC), and Ann Arbor (MI) took a wider variety of plastics, including #5, which is the type of plastic used for many yogurt containers. However, it is more common for curbside recycling programs to refuse #5 plastic, so you may need to find another way to recycle your yogurt containers.

If your local recycling centre does not accept #5 plastic, there are still options for recycling your yogurt containers. You can use an online resource, such as Recycle More Plastic's map, to find a nearby collection program that specifically accepts polypropylene plastic. You can also drop off your old yogurt containers at select stores, such as Whole Foods, which has collection bins for #5 plastic items through the Gimme 5 program.

It is worth noting that even if your local recycling centre accepts plastic yogurt containers, they may not accept the lids. Container lids are often made with a different type of plastic than the tub, and they can easily get mixed in with paper, contaminating the recycling process. In some communities, such as Portland, Oregon, foil lids can be recycled in the same manner as aluminum foil. If your community accepts clean aluminum foil, it is worth inquiring if they will also take aluminum yogurt container lids.

Finally, if you are unable to recycle your plastic yogurt containers, you can consider repurposing them. Yogurt containers can be used as resealable storage for items such as leftovers, buttons, craft materials, hair ties, nails, screws, and other small items.

Find a recycling program for polypropylene plastic

Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile material that is durable, strong, and eco-friendly. However, when not disposed of properly, it can be a pollutant. While PP is recyclable, it is not as straightforward as recycling other materials like aluminium cans. Curbside recycling programs do not support polypropylene processing, so it's up to individuals to seek out polypropylene recycling companies.

There are several ways to find a recycling program for polypropylene plastic. Firstly, you can check your municipal recycling guide to see what types of polypropylene are accepted. Additionally, there are websites that can help you locate polypropylene recyclers in your area, such as Earth911. You can also send polypropylene plastic to an organisation called Preserve, which has a polypropylene recycling program called Gimme5.

It is important to note that not all polypropylene products are created equal when it comes to recyclability. Some products may be labelled with a chasing arrows symbol, indicating that they are widely recyclable. However, industry experts and environmental advocates have questioned the accuracy of these labels, as the actual recycling rate of PP products may be lower than suggested.

Furthermore, PP products often contain toxic additives that make it difficult to turn them into reusable items. They may also be difficult to identify with optical sorting equipment, such as black takeout containers. As a result, many recycling facilities only accept plastics that are easier to recycle, and PP ends up in landfills.

To ensure proper recycling of PP, it must be collected, sorted, shredded, separated by colour, and then compounded. Recycling PP is important for protecting the environment, as it reduces landfill waste and the burning of plastics, which can release hazardous fumes and chemicals.

Recycle plastic lids separately

Plastic yogurt containers are typically made from polypropylene (PP), labelled with the number 5. Despite what some recycling labels may say, PP products are not widely recycled. In fact, only around 28% of Americans have access to recycling programs that accept these containers.

If you want to recycle your plastic yogurt containers, you should first check your local recycling guidelines. Most recycling programs will only accept plastic lids and bottle caps if they are off their containers and batched separately. This is because plastic lids can jam recycling equipment, contaminate other plastics, and endanger workers at recycling centres.

Before recycling your plastic yogurt container lids, make sure they are clean and dry. It is also important to check that they are not contaminated with any food residue, as this can cause an entire batch of recycling to be rejected and thrown into landfill.

Some local programs may not accept plastic lids at all, so it is important to verify the rules in your area. If your local program does not accept plastic lids, you may be able to find a mail-in recycling option online. Alternatively, you could get creative and use your lids for crafts!

Reuse containers for storage

Plastic yoghurt containers can be reused in a variety of ways. They can be used for storing leftovers or other food products. They can also be repurposed into resealable containers for small items like buttons, craft materials, hair ties, nails, screws, and other bits and pieces.

If you have a lot of yoghurt containers, you could use them to organise your drawers. For example, you could use them to separate different types of clothing within your drawers, such as socks, underwear, and swimwear.

You could also use yoghurt containers to store non-food items in the kitchen. For example, you could use them to store washing-up liquids or hand soap by the sink, or to store tea, coffee, and sugar.

Yoghurt containers can also be used to store items in the bathroom, such as cotton wool, hair ties, and makeup.

Frequently asked questions