
Plastic recycling is crucial for the future of Winston-Salem and the planet. Recycling plastic allows for the reutilization of materials, reducing the need for new raw materials, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing the negative environmental impact. The City of Winston-Salem provides its residents with guidelines on how to recycle plastic properly. Plastic bottles and jugs, plastic containers, plastic bags, and other plastic items are accepted in the city's recycling program. However, it is important to separate and prepare these plastics correctly and to be aware of what plastics cannot be recycled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic items that can be recycled | Plastic bottles and jugs, plastic food containers, plastic bags, plastic shopping bags, plastic wrap, plastic toys, plastic containers, plastic chairs and tables, plastic buckets, plastic bowls and dishware, plastic drums, plastic trays, plastic films, plastic fibres, plastic bottles, plastic cups, plastic packaging, plastic plant trays, plastic pots, plastic tags, plastic plant containers, plastic water bottles, plastic soda bottles, plastic milk jugs, plastic shampoo bottles, plastic conditioner bottles, plastic household cleaning product containers, plastic food packaging, plastic beverage bottles, plastic juice bottles, plastic drink containers, plastic packaging for cosmetics, plastic packaging for household products, plastic PET purge, plastic IBC Totes, plastic polyester fibre, plastic strapping |
| Plastic items that cannot be recycled | Plastic items marked with a recycling #5, plastic wrap tainted by food, plastic bags, plastic newspaper bags, plastic wrap, plastic toys, plastic clamshells, plastic containers, plastic food trays, plastic cups, plastic boxes with food, plastic pizza boxes, plastic cardboard boxes tainted with food or grease residue, plastic wrap from around napkins/paper towels/toilet paper/diapers, plastic bread bags, plastic food storage bags, plastic air pillows from shipping containers, plastic dry cleaning bags |
| Other recyclable items | Glass bottles and jars, paper cartons, cardboard, writing material, aluminium foil, pie tins, cans, glass bottles and jars, paper cartons, cardboard, writing material, shredded office paper, corrugated cardboard boxes, paper products, glass, aluminium, steel, inkjet cartridges, cell phones, electronics, computers, printers, monitors, rechargeable batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, printer cartridges, milk cartons, dairy alternative milk cartons, juice boxes, wax-coated cartons, tissues, standard paper, cards, building materials, batteries, plastic shopping bags, plastic films, plastic food storage bags |
| Other non-recyclable items | Glass dishes, drinking glasses, window glass, mirrors, alkaline batteries |
| How to recycle | Place all recyclable materials in the blue rollout recycling cart. No sorting is necessary. All recyclable materials must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. |
| Where to recycle | Local shipping stores, Goodwill of Northwest locations, Whole Foods store on Miller Street, Lowes Home Improvement, Lowes Garden Centers, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, GreenDisk, Batteries Plus |
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What You'll Learn

Plastic bottles and jugs
Other acceptable plastic items for recycling in Winston-Salem include food containers, packaging for cosmetics and household products, food packaging, PET purge, trays, polyester fibre, films, strapping, milk jugs, shampoo and conditioner bottles, household cleaning product containers, HDPE plastic drums, IBC Totes, and plastic plant trays, pots, and tags.
It is important to note that plastic items marked with a recycling #5 and batteries cannot be placed in the recycle bins in Winston-Salem. These items can be taken to the local Whole Foods store on Miller Street, which accepts #5 items.
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Plastic bags
In addition, Lowes Home Improvement offers a recycling program for plastic shopping bags at the store entrance. They also recycle plastic plant trays, pots, and tags.
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Plastic toys
If you have a large quantity of plastic toys or other plastic items to recycle, you can reach out to these companies for a quote. They will handle the pick-up and recycling of your plastic waste, making the process convenient and efficient.
It is important to note that plastic recycling is crucial for the environment. By recycling plastic toys instead of simply disposing of them, you can help reduce the need for new raw materials, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize the negative impact on the environment.
In addition to plastic toys, there are several other plastic items that can be recycled in Winston-Salem. These include plastic bottles and jugs, plastic food containers, beverage bottles, plastic bags, and plastic packaging. The city also provides a recycling program for plastic plant trays, pots, and tags, as well as wood pallets and old appliances.
To stay informed about the latest recycling guidelines and collection days in Winston-Salem, residents can utilize the Winston-Salem Collects app, which is available for both Apple and Android devices. This app can help you determine what can be recycled and when your recycling bin will be picked up.
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Plastic food containers
In addition to plastic bottles and food containers, plastic shopping bags can be recycled at specific locations in Winston-Salem. Many local grocery stores, such as Harris Teeter and Food Lion, have collection bins for plastic bags at their entrances. Plastic plant containers can also be recycled, but they must be returned to the store from which they were purchased.
It is important to note that not all plastics are recyclable in Winston-Salem. Plastic items marked with a recycling #5 cannot be placed in the recycle bins and must be taken to a Whole Foods store on Miller Street for disposal. Plastic wrap and plastic containers with food residue, such as pizza boxes, should also be kept out of the recycling bin.
To make recycling easier, the City of Winston-Salem provides a Winston-Salem Collects app that can be downloaded on mobile devices. This app can provide information on what items can be recycled and alert users about service changes. Additionally, the city provides a blue rollout recycling cart for recyclable materials. It is important to ensure that all materials fit inside the cart with the lid closed and that no unacceptable materials are included, as taxpayers bear the expense of sorting and hauling these items to landfills.
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Plastic plant pots
If you're looking to recycle plastic plant pots in Winston-Salem, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, identify the type of plastic your plant pots are made of. Common types include PP, New PP, and HDPE. These are typically marked on the bottom of the pot.
Once you've identified the plastic type, you can check with your local recycling center or waste management company to see if they accept these specific plastics for recycling. Some facilities may have drop-off locations or programs specifically for plastic plant pots and other garden waste. It's important to ensure your plant pots are clean and free of any soil or debris before recycling.
Alternatively, you can reuse or repurpose your plastic plant pots. They can be used for starting new seedlings or transplanted into larger pots or directly into the ground once the plant has grown. You can also get creative and upcycle the pots for other purposes, such as storage containers or craft projects.
If you're a business or have a large number of plastic plant pots, you may also want to look into bulk recycling or repurposing options. Some companies specialize in recycling plastic plant pots and can provide competitive prices and efficient turnaround. You can also explore custom options for larger orders, including choices in color, shape, thickness, size, and even logo placement.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bottles and jugs, plastic food containers, plastic bags, plastic toys, plastic wrap, and plastic cups can be recycled in Winston-Salem.
Plastic items marked with a recycling #5, plastic bags, plastic wrap, and plastic toys cannot be placed in your recycle bins in Winston-Salem.
Plastic can be recycled at the curbside in your blue rollout recycling cart. Plastic can also be recycled at local grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Food Lion, and Harris Teeter.
Plastic, glass, and aluminum bottles and jars should be emptied and rinsed before being placed in the recycling cart. Cardboard boxes should be flattened and placed beside the recycling containers.











































