Plastic #5 (Polypropylene)
What Should I Do With It?
Plastic #5, also known as polypropylene or PP, is a durable material commonly used to manufacture yogurt tubs, margarine containers, syrup bottles, and plastic bottle caps. While these rigid items are widely accepted in curbside recycling programs, they must be completely empty of food and liquids to prevent contaminating entire batches of recyclable material. Fortunately, modern sorting facilities have advanced, meaning you should keep plastic caps screwed tightly onto their matching bottles rather than discarding them. To protect your health, avoid putting plastic #5 containers in the microwave, dishwasher, or other hot environments, as heat accelerates the breakdown of the plastic and causes chemical leaching.
Before throwing this away, see if it can be fixed up, given to a friend, or donated to a local thrift shop. Keeping items in use is the best way to stop waste before it starts!
The recycling guidelines shown here are for general reference and educational purposes. Every city and town has different rules, sorting equipment, and recycling programs.
Please check your local town website or ask your local garbage collection program to make sure you are following your neighborhood's rules.