Video:How to Properly Recycle Plastic

Transcript:How to Properly Recycle Plastic

Hi I'm Deena Keeler for About.com and I'd like to talk to you about how to recycle plastic.

Properly Recycle Plastic Based on Location

First, what you want to do is, there are a lot of options available based on your location. There are some neighborhood programs that have a curbside program, some don't accept plastic and some don't accept any recyclables so first what you want to do is research options available in your area. If you have questions about sanitation and recycling does fall under sanitation, your local municipality will have a sanitation department you can contact for more information about recycling programs.

Find a Mobius to Properly Recycle Plastic

If you have questions about which plastics can be recycled there is a recycling symbol called a mobius located on the bottom of the plastic container. That is the best way to determine whether your plastic can be recycled. The most common recycled plastics are plastics 1 and 2 but there are some other programs that accept six to seven different types of plastic.

Wash Out Plastics to Properly Recycle Plastic

With all plastics make sure they have been scraped of food debris and have been washed out. If the plastic has too much food contamination it will end up in landfill. So the biggest thing is making sure that you research recycling options in your area and make sure that plastics are free of food debris.

And that is how you recycle plastic. For more information, visit About.com.