Plastics Explained
Plastic you can recycle on campus
Items shaped like a bottle or tub. There's no need to look for the number on the item you want to recycle, just make sure it's a bottle or a tub.
What’s a bottle or tub?
Bottles:
- The neck of the container is smaller than the body of the container and accepts screw-type or snap on cap closures.
- Usually contains liquids.
- Examples: water bottles, milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles
Tubs:
- A tub is a container that is circular, oblong, or square.
- It may have an unattached snap-on lid or cover.
- Examples: butter, sour cream, cottage cheese, yogurt containers.

Clamshells are NOT tubs
Plastic containers with a hinged top (called clamshells) that are used for takeout, prepackaged fresh fruits or vegetables, and other foods are NOT considered tubs.
Plastic you can’t recycle on campus
- Plastic cutlery
- Plastic bags
- Plastic containers with a hinged top (called clamshells)
- Plastic to-go cups (including Starbucks)
- Plastic straws
- Pipets/pipet tip boxes
- Plastic toys
