Bottles and Cans

Plastic #1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)

Common uses: soda bottles, cooking oil bottles, peanut butter jars

Accepted at UC Davis. Please empty containers and uncap lids.

This is the most widely recycled plastic and the only one with a redemption value under the California "Bottle Bill."

Plastic #2: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Common uses: milk jugs, grocery bags, detergent bottles

Accepted at UC Davis. Please empty containers and uncap lids.

Plastic #3: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Common uses: plastic pipes, outdoor furniture, shrink wrap, water cooler bottles, salad dressing, and liquid detergent containers

Cannot be recycled at UC Davis. Can be dropped off at Davis Waste Removal. Look for alternatives to this plastic whenever possible.

Plastic #4: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Common uses: produce bags, trash can liners, food storage containers

Cannot be recycled at UC Davis. Recycling centers rarely take #4 plastics. Look for alternatives to this plastic whenever possible.

Plastic #5: Polypropylene (PP)

Common uses: aerosol caps, drinking straws

Cannot be recycled at UC Davis. Can be dropped off at Davis Waste Removal. Look for alternatives to this plastic whenever possible.

Plastic #6: Polystyrene (PS)

Common uses: packaging pellets or "Styrofoam peanuts," cups, plastic tableware, meat trays

Cannot be recycled at UC Davis. Can be dropped off at Davis Waste Removal. Look for alternatives to this plastic whenever possible.
However, Styrofoam peanuts can be reused. If you have large amounts, put it in a sealed bag/box and mail it to the campus Storehouse.

Plastic #7: Other

Common uses: certain kinds of food containers and Tupperware

Cannot be recycled at UC Davis. This plastic category, as its name of "other" implies, is any plastic other than #1-#6. These containers can be any of the many different types of plastic polymers. Can be dropped off at Davis Waste Removal. Look for alternatives to this plastic whenever possible.