Understanding the Loop on Plastic Containers

When you see a number surrounded by a loop that resembles a recycling symbol on a plastic container, do you assume that the item can go in your recycling bin? Such symbols are not intended to indicate that an item can go in a recycling bin. These symbols are resin identification codes, which let you know what kind of plastic the object contains --- not whether it can be recycled in the City's single-stream recycling system. 

According to our partners at Recycle Coach, "resin identification codes are made up of three flat arrows that form a triangle. They’ll always encircle a number from 1 – 7," and are often mistaken for the universal recycling symbol because they look so similar.  

Not all numbers are created equally since a variety of materials can be made from the same types of plastic. For example, #2 plastics are a type of plastic known as high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Two things that can be made from #2 plastics are milk jugs and plastic bags. Milk jugs are accepted in single-stream recycling, but plastic bags are not. For more information on the identification codes and what they mean, please visit Recycle Coach.

Here in Baltimore City, we recommend keeping your recycling simple, and when in doubt, throw it out! When it comes to plastics, stick to bottles, jars, jugs and tubs.  

Recycle these plastics!

Water/ soda bottles Laundry detergent bottles Shampoo bottles Milk jugs Peanut butter jars Sour cream/ yogurt tubs

Keep these plastics out of your recycling:

Plastic bags Clamshell containers (includes berry and salad containers) Polystyrene (styrofoam) Plastic straws and cutlery. Any non-packaging plastics (ie. toys, pens, toothbrushes)

Still not sure if an item is acceptable? Visit our website to see a complete list of materials, or give our office a call at (410) 396-4511. 

Help Plan the City's Waste Management Future

Do you have ideas for how the City can improve recycling and create better trash disposal options? Please plan to attend our March 11 "Less Waste, Better Baltimore" meeting to share your ideas. Your input is important to the development of the “Less Waste, Better Baltimore” planning, which will guide the City’s sanitation policies for the next few decades. The Monday, March 11 meeting is from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Shake and Bake Family Fun Center, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave.  For more information on the "Less Waste, Better Baltimore" plan, please visit our website or email us with more specific questions at lesswaste@baltimorecity.gov.

Residents who cannot attend the "Less Waste, Better Baltimore" meeting may still weigh in by taking an online survey. The survey is available at the following website: https://lesswastebetterbaltsurvey.questionpro.com/. The survey will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12.

Don't Let Your Recycling Blow Away

Having difficulty keeping recycling contained on windy days? Please note that plastic bags are not acceptable collection containers. Follow these tips to keep recyclables in the bin and off our streets: Use a recycling bin with a lid. Layer recyclables so heavier items such as magazines and glass bottles/ jars are on top. Take recycling outside the morning of collection instead of the evening before. Place additional recycling in a paper bag or cardboard box, if your container is overflowing.

Upcoming Events

St. Patrick's Day Recycling Bin Sale

Saturday, March 9 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 2840 Sisson Street 25 gallon bins w/ lid: $10 18 gallon bin: $4 More information here

Please note the yellow recycling bins are NOT required to recycle. Residents may use any labeled container, including old trash cans or storage totes. Call (410) 396-4511 to request a sticker to label your can. Residents are also able to use paper bags and cardboard boxes to recycle.

April 13: First Shred Day of the Year!  SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 13 will be DPW's first Community Shred Day of the year. In addition to free shredding for City residents, recycling bins will be on sale for discount prices. Plus, we will host a plastic bag take-back, exchanging five or more plastic bags for one reusable tote. The event will take place at the  Edmondson-Westside High School, 501 N. Athol Ave. The shredding takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the recycle bin sale is from  9 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Recycle Coach: Never Miss Your Recycling Day!

With Recycle Coach recycling in Baltimore City is even easier! This free app helps take the guesswork out of trash and recycling collection days.  With Recycle Coach, residents can: Stay organized with custom curbside collection and events calendars Receive weekly reminders for recycling and trash collections Make smarter decisions about recycling Learn How to Use the Recycle Coach Application  City residents can access Recycle Coach from their desktop computers, mobile devices (Google Play and the App Store), or through digital assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Plastic bags, wraps, and film of any color, size or shape are not accepted in Baltimore City's single-stream recycling. These materials clog machines used to process recycling. Certain retailers recycle these items. A location near you can be found on the following website: https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/.

See the Customer Report newsletter for more Baltimore City DPW news.

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