Alexei Volkov
Nashville has a complex recycling system, and many residents are unsure about what plastics can be recycled. The city's Department of Waste Services provides convenient ways for Davidson County residents to dispose of residential trash, recyclables, and other waste items that require proper disposal. Nashville only takes plastics #1 and #2, as these are the only plastics that are truly recyclable. Plastic bags, plastic wrap, and bubble wrap are not accepted, nor are plastic containers/tubs for sour cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese, as there is no buyer for this type of plastic. Plastic grocery bags can be recycled at most grocery stores, including Kroger, Publix, and Trader Joe's.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags | Not accepted |
| Plastic containers/tubs | Sour cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese containers are not accepted |
| Plastic takeout food containers | Not accepted |
| Plastic bottles | Accepted with caps on |
| Plastic milk jugs | Accepted with caps on |
| Plastic grocery bags | Not accepted |
| Plastic wrappers | Not accepted |
| Plastic types | Only #1 and #2 plastics are accepted |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags are not accepted
Nashville's Department of Waste Services provides convenient ways for Davidson County residents to dispose of residential trash, recyclables, and other waste items that require proper disposal. However, plastic bags are not accepted as part of the Metro Nashville recycling program. This includes all types of plastic bags, from garbage bags to grocery bags and even those that claim to be recyclable.
Plastic bags are the number one contaminant in Nashville's curbside recycling program. They jam and sometimes break the sorting machines at the recycling center, ruining an entire batch of recyclables. This is why it is important to keep them out of your recycling bin.
If you wish to recycle plastic bags, you can do so at most grocery stores, including Kroger, Publix, and Trader Joe's, which have dedicated recycle bins for plastic bags.
It is also important to note that Nashville only takes plastics #1 and #2 as these are the only plastics that are truly recyclable. So, when in doubt about whether a plastic item can be recycled, check for the number or type of plastic it is.
Additionally, Nashville's recycling program does not accept plastic containers or tubs used for items like sour cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese, as there is no buyer for this type of plastic at the recycling center. Plastic takeout food containers also fall into this category.
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Only plastics #1 and #2 are recyclable
Nashville only takes plastics #1 and #2 for recycling. These are the only two types of plastic that are truly recyclable.
Plastics are made from natural gas and feedstocks derived from natural gas processing or crude oil refining. While many people are familiar with the seven types of plastic, there are actually thousands of types of synthetic plastic materials.
A Greenpeace report found that only 5% of plastic in the U.S. will ever be recycled. This is due in part to the fact that many people contaminate the recycling system by including items that cannot be recycled, such as plastic bags, Styrofoam, and dirty containers. Plastic bags are the number one contaminant in Nashville's curbside recycling. They jam and sometimes break the sorting machines at the recycling center. Plastic containers, such as yogurt pots, are also not recycled because the recycling center does not have a buyer for this type of plastic.
To ensure your plastic waste is recycled, only place plastics #1 and #2 in your recycling bin. Other items that are accepted for recycling include aluminum and steel cans, food and beverage cartons, mixed paper, newspaper, magazines, flattened cardboard, and glass (although this must be taken to a drop-off center).
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Plastic containers/tubs are not accepted
Plastic containers and tubs are not accepted as part of Nashville's recycling program. This includes containers used for sour cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese. The recycling center does not have a buyer for this type of plastic. Plastic takeout food containers are also not accepted for the same reason.
Plastic bags are another item that is not accepted as they are the number one contaminant in Nashville's curbside recycling. They jam and break the sorting machines at the recycling center. Plastic bags of all kinds, including garbage bags, grocery bags, and wine bags, are not allowed. Even bags that claim to be recyclable are not accepted.
Other items that are not accepted include Styrofoam, plastic cups, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, hoses, wires, chains, electronics, yard waste, clothing, and linens. Nashville only takes plastics #1 and #2 as these are the only plastics that are truly recyclable.
If you are unsure about what can be recycled, Nashville offers resources to help residents learn about proper recycling practices. The "Recycle Right" program provides information on what can and cannot be recycled, and there are also webinars available to educate residents about the recycling process. Additionally, most grocery stores, such as Kroger and Publix, have recycle bins for plastic grocery bags.
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Plastic takeout food containers are not accepted
Nashville's Department of Waste Services provides recycling services for Davidson County residents. Single-family homes in the Urban Services District of Nashville are eligible for curbside recycling collection. However, it's important to note that not all types of plastic are accepted in the city's recycling program.
Other types of plastic that are not accepted in Nashville's recycling program include plastic bags, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, and plastic containers or tubs used for products like sour cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese. These containers are made from a type of plastic that the recycling center cannot sell on. Plastic bags are the biggest contaminant in Nashville's recycling, as they jam and break sorting machines.
To ensure your plastic waste is disposed of correctly, it's important to separate accepted plastics from those that are not. Accepted plastics in Nashville include plastics #1 and #2, as these are the only plastics that are truly recyclable. Examples of accepted plastic items include plastic bottles, jars, and jugs, as well as detergent bottles and shampoo and conditioner containers.
If you are unsure about whether an item is recyclable, Nashville offers resources to help residents recycle correctly. The "Recycle Right" program provides information on what can and cannot be recycled, and there are also drop-off locations for various types of waste, such as glass, electronics, and household hazardous waste.
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$16.89
Plastic bottles and jugs are accepted
It is worth noting that Nashville only accepts plastics #1 and #2 for recycling, as these are the only plastics that are truly recyclable. Plastic bags, plastic wrap, and bubble wrap are not accepted, as they can jam and break the sorting machines at the recycling center. Plastic containers, such as those used for yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese, are also not accepted by the recycling center in Nashville due to a lack of buyers for this specific type of plastic.
Other acceptable items for recycling in Nashville include aluminum and steel cans, food and beverage cartons, mixed paper, newspaper, magazines, flattened cardboard, and clean aluminum foil. Residents can also recycle glass, but it must be taken to one of the city's drop-off centers.
Nashville offers a curbside recycling program for eligible households in the Urban Services District, who can receive up to two recycling carts at no additional cost. For those living in the General Services District or multi-family complexes, private haulers are available for waste and recycling collection.
The city also provides various resources to educate residents about proper recycling practices, such as the "Recycle Right" program and the "Nash Trash" newsletter, which offer tips and information on recycling, composting, and waste reduction.
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Frequently asked questions
Metro Nashville recycles plastics #1 and #2 as they are the only plastics that are truly recyclable.
Metro Nashville does not recycle plastic bags, plastic wrap, or bubble wrap. Plastic bags are the number one contaminant in Nashville's curbside recycling. Plastic containers/tubs used for sour cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese are also not recycled as the recycling center does not have a buyer for this type of plastic.
Metro Nashville also recycles aluminum and steel cans, food and beverage cartons, mixed paper, newspaper, magazines, flattened cardboard, and glass (which must be dumped at one of the city's drop-off centers).
