Standard curbside/residential plastic recycling programs will accept full blown bottles that have been completely emptied.
Commonly accepted plastics:
#1 - PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) - Soda and Water Bottles
#2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) - Milk Jugs, Laundry Detergent, and Shampoo Bottles
Sometimes accepted plastics (in curbside/residential programs):
#4 Plastics are LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) - tub and lid material NO FILM or BAGS.
#5 Plastics are PP (Polypropylene) - Blow molded containers (yogurt cups, margarine, and take out containers)
#6 Plastics are PS (Polystyrene) - Foam items - food service items (cups, plates, meat & poultry trays, and cutlery)
Carton Containers (broth, milk(s), etc.) Typically a mixture of paper, a thin layer of polyethylene, and shelf-stable cartons also have a layer of aluminum.
Difficult to recycle plastics (in curbside/residential programs):
#3 Plastics are PVC - does not have a consistent recycling market and should be kept out of standard recycling bins
#4 Plastics are LDPE - in film form (grocery bags, shrink wrap) MUST be recycled at a Specialized Drop-site
#7 Plastics are “Other” - many times this is a co-polymer made of varying types of plastics in one product
