Forget the Dewey Decimal System, Seattle! Here's What Actually Goes in the Blue Bin
Let's face it, recycling can be confusing. We've all been there, staring at a plastic container covered in weird symbols and numbers, wondering if it's destined for a glorious recycling transformation or a sad landfill slumber party. Seattle, however, throws a wrench into the whole "number game" when it comes to plastic recycling.
What Numbers Can You Recycle In Seattle |
Hold on, what do you mean by "number game"?
Those little numbers nestled inside the recycling arrows on the bottom of plastic containers? Those are resin codes, and they tell us what type of plastic the container is made of. In most places, these resin codes are key to figuring out what's recyclable. But Seattle? Seattle's like, "Nah, those numbers are for squares. We recycle differently here."
So, what CAN I recycle in Seattle, then?
Here's the good news, Seattleites: You can basically chuck most of your plastic containers into the blue bin, numbers and all! We're talking:
- Bottles (all colors and sizes, gotta catch 'em all!)
- Food containers and trays (because nobody likes leftover mystery meat chilling in the fridge)
- Jugs (laundry detergent, juice, that weird alien-shaped one your kid begged for)
- Tubs (yogurt, cottage cheese, whatever that green goop is your grandma keeps buying)
- Lids (but only the wide-mouthed kind, those tiny coffee cup lids can go rogue in the sorting facility)
Basically, if it's a rigid plastic container that held food or drink, Seattle's got your back (and your recycling bin). Just remember to rinse it out first – nobody wants a symphony of science experiments happening in the recycling plant.
QuickTip: Repetition reinforces learning.
But what about all those OTHER things?
Seattle's got you covered on those too! Cardboard, paper, glass, metal – it's pretty much a recycling free-for-all (as long as it's clean and hasn't gone rogue and turned into a science experiment itself). Head over to
Recycling FAQ - Seattle Style!
How to recycle a pizza box in Seattle?
Easy! Scrape off any leftover cheese or toppings (because nobody wants rogue cheese in the recycling plant), flatten the box, and toss it in the bin.
QuickTip: A slow read reveals hidden insights.
How to recycle a yogurt tub?
Give it a quick rinse, plop it in the blue bin, and high five yourself for being a recycling champion!
How to recycle a plastic bag?
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
Seattle actually doesn't accept plastic bags in curbside recycling. But fear not! Many grocery stores have take-back programs for these pesky bags.
How to recycle a juice box?
Yes, you can toss those juice boxes (the aluminum kind, not the pouch kind) into the recycling bin with your other plastics! Just make sure they're empty and squished a bit to save space.
QuickTip: Pause at lists — they often summarize.
How to recycle a beer bottle?
Pop the cap off (recycle that metal cap separately!), rinse out the bottle, and let the good times roll (into the recycling bin, that is).
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