Categories: Recycle

Where Can I Recycle Takeout Containers? WCI Weds

Oh no! Did you forget to bring a reusable container to your favorite restaurant and need to get your food to-go?

Don’t worry, we have the answers for you in this week’s Where Can I Wednesday?

Where to recycle takeout containers:

 

Is your takeout container plastic?

Good news for you – plastic cups, plates & to-go containers can all go into your single-stream recycling bin.

Is your takeout container styrofoam?

However, food-stained boxes, stryofoam (ugh) and pizza boxes must go in the garbage.  (I personally cut the grease-stained pizza portion off to recycle the untainted part).

**Update: Philadelphia residents can take Foam (or styrofoam) containers #6 to the Northeast Sanitation Convenience Center at State & Ashburner Streets, but can NOT go in Single-Stream recycling.  

Is your takeout container compostable?

Typically, compostable containers contain language on the bottom that say they are so. Some plastic compostables may only be compostable in a composting facility, which we don’t have yet.

Try to avoid getting takeout (and containers) altogether by ordering smaller portions or sharing with a friend.


Pics courtesy of this site

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

Earth week: Winner of SBN’s Food Saver Challenge, Swarthmore’s Solar purchase & more

Read the latest sustainability news. Earth Day was Monday is every day, and was celebrated…

2 days ago

Four Ways to Improve Recycling in Philly

Recycling in Philly is broken. Here’s how Mayor Parker’s administration could fix it. Recycling in…

3 days ago

The EPA’s Efforts in Climate Action, Public Engagement, and Earth Month Initiatives

We sat down with Adam Ortiz, EPA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator to chat about transparency and…

1 week ago

Is My Recycling Being … Recycled?

Philadelphians' skepticism about the City’s waste policies has led to an abysmal recycling rate. Here’s…

2 weeks ago

City is driving more EVs, new PFAS regulations, car-free MLK is back!

Read the latest local sustainability news. Can you believe the solar eclipse was this past…

2 weeks ago

How to find a green job in 2024

With more companies embracing the triple bottom line, finding a career that matches your values…

3 weeks ago