Plastic Lids & Caps
Check the number.
Skip the clear ones.
Clean, dry tub lids and screw-on caps marked #2, #4 or #5 are accepted at RecycleOn Centers. Clear #1 PET lids stay out.
Rule of Thumb
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Marked #2, #4 or #5 Check the resin number on the lid
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Clean & dry No residue left inside
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Simple plastic No pumps, sprays, metal or coatings
Bring them in
Keep them out
Sorting, at a Glance
What Goes In, What Stays Out
Two kinds of closures qualify: lids that snap onto tubs and caps that screw onto bottles. The resin number decides the rest.
Yes – bring these in
- Tub lids from yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, hummus, salsa, guacamole, butter and margarine
- Screw-on caps from bottles, jugs and jars (Caps screwed onto to their plastic containers can be recycled in your recycling cart, as long as the containers are 2 inches by 2 inches or larger)
No – keep these out
- #1 PET lids (usually clear)
- Pump tops, flip and spray nozzles
- Metal jar lids
- Wax-coated paper lids
- Silicone lids or stretch covers
- Rubber lids or gaskets
- Biodegradable or compostable lids
- Multi-layer laminated lids
- Drink and coffee cup lids unless marked #2, #4 or #5
- Plastic freshness seals
- Protective caps from shipping or hardware packaging
Frequently Asked Questions
More detail on why these rules exist, what happens to your recycling and how the law defines accepted materials.
Why can't loose lids and caps go in my curbside cart?
Caps are small and, when placed loose into the recycling cart, can fall through the sorting machines. Lids, on the other hand, are flat like paper and confuse sorting machines.
How do I find the resin number?
The resin number is included inside the chasing arrows triangle ♻️
Can caps stay on their bottles in my curbside cart?
Plastic caps can stay on bottles and jars when recycled because the container is large enough to make its way through the recycling system, bringing the cap with it.
What's the difference between a lid and a cap?
Caps screw on to a container. Lids snap on.
What about coffee cup lids?
Coffee cup lids are only accepted if they have a #2, #4 or #5 on them.
Why aren't pump tops accepted?
Pump tops, like spray bottles or soap pumps, aren’t accepted because they are often made of multiple types of plastic and can include metal components.
What happens after I drop it off?
After collection, these plastics are sent to recycling facilities where they are shredded, washed and made into pellets, which are used to make other products such as plastic lumber, garbage can liners, shipping envelopes, trash cans, paneling and new containers.
What does the law say?
Looking to learn more about exactly what is recyclable? Below is how the law defines these materials.
Items that meet the following guidelines are accepted at RecycleOn Centers. Polyethylene (HDPE #2, LDPE #4) and polypropylene (PP #5) lids and caps. “Lid” means a rigid closure for tubs that has a fastening feature other than threads. “Cap” means a rigid closure for tubs or bottles that has a fastening feature that involves threads