Plastic Caps Put in Garbage Cart/Bin However, you can recycle plastic caps if they’re screwed onto plastic bottles. Loose plastic caps should go in the garbage. They are too small for recycling equipment to separate out and recycle with other hard plastics. If a container has a cap that is made out of a different material, the cap should be removed and placed in the garbage. For example, a plastic cap from a paper juice carton should be placed in the garbage. Not Infinitely Recyclable Plastic isn’t infinitely recyclable in the same way that glass and metal are. Its quality declines each time it’s recycled, so new plastic needs to be added in order to keep recycling it. Ways to Reduce Opt for Reusable Containers Most plastic is made directly from oil and natural gas, not recycled plastic. When plastic does get recycled, it is often into products that are no longer recyclable. Metal and glass, which are durable and can be recycled infinitely, are always a better container choice. Choose Glass or Aluminum Glass and aluminum are both more recyclable than plastic. If buying something in a single-use container, opt for glass or aluminum whenever possible.
