Plastics Recycling 101 Quick Guide

Download the Plastics Recycling 101 Quick Guide (PDF)

Know Which Bin to Use

Plastic	Plastics recycling changes as of July 1, 2020: ACCEPTED in blue cart/white bin: • #1 PETE: Beverage bottles (water, soda, energy drinks), peanut butter jars, salad dressing bottles, etc. • #2 HDPE: Clear milk jugs, detergent bottles, bleach bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles, plastic crates, plastic carts, lawn chairs, laundry baskets, etc. • #5 PP: Tupperware, yogurt containers, margarine tubs and other refrigerated containers, bottle tops, etc. NOT ACCEPTED in blue cart/white bin: • #3 V: Food wrap, tile, PVC plumbing pipes, window frames, etc. • #4 LDPE: Grocery bags, shrink/cling wrap, garment bags, frozen food bags, sandwich bags, etc. • #6 PS: Throwaway utensils, meat packing, protective packing, Styrofoam insulation, packing peanuts, etc. • #7 OTHER: Plastic CDs/DVDs, baby bottles, eye glasses, exterior lighting fixtures, etc. Plastic bags can be recycled in bulk - please return them to your local grocery store or reuse them as trash can liners or pet waste bags.  Better yet - refuse them when offered and bring your own. NOTE: Actual market value of certain plastics and recycling feasibility is subject to change.  Please continue placing acceptable items in the recycling carts/bins as instructed by the current Franchise Agreement. It is the hauler's responsibility to locate a market for best-use of the items listed.
Glass	All colors of food and beverage glass containers.  Glass is 100% recyclable; when at all possible, choose glass over plastic. No ceramics, glassware, mirrors, or window panes.
Metal	All aluminum, tin cans, steel, bi-metal food cans, and clean aluminum foil.  Clean and dry tin is most valuable. No pots, pans or non-aluminum hub caps.
Paper	All newspaper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, bubble mailers, ledger and computer paper, corrugated cardboard, directories/phone books, cereal-type boxes and milk cartons.  When at all possible, opt for electronic notifications, documents and coupons.  Donate clean boxes, unused paper and other useful "craft" items to a local pre-school or elementary school.  No textiles - clothing, towels, rags, etc. (clothing in good condition can be donated to a local reuse store like Goodwill).  Textiles (if not donated) must be placed in the trash container.

Hazardous Waste, such as chemicals, paint, batteries, electronics, and fluorescent bulbs are too toxic for any curbside carts and require special disposal methods.  Click here to view the city's Hazardous Waste Disposal page and learn about the convenient disposal and recycling options available to Manhattan Beach residents. 

• Recycling is still a form of "disposal."  Reduce waste by reusing materials and refusing disposable items when offered.
• Reuse and donate items before disposing them for recycling or the landfill.  Hold a swapping party with your friends and family, take items to the Manhattan Beach Goodwill located at 1145 Artesia Boulevard, or visit the city's Donate Used Goods page for more information.
• It is best to place your recyclables out the morning of pick-up (prior to 7:30 AM), this will help prevent scavengers (NOTE: Scavenging is illegal in the City of Manhattan Beach.  If you see scavenging taking place, please contact the Manhattan Beach Police Department with the location, description, and any license plate number of the vehicle he/she may be using.). 
• Items are most recyclable if they are dry and clean.  Some may wonder if using water to give a jar a quick rinse/wipe before placing it in the recycling cart offsets the good of recycling the material.  Keep in mind that manufacturing virgin material relies on many resources such as water and that the process to recycle a material back into market is far less cumbersome on resources.
• Cardboard boxes are gladly accepted, please flatten cardboard boxes first before placing in the recycling cart.  
• If you still have some single-use plastic bags in your cupboard, reuse them as small trash can liners or to pick up pet waste on a walk (pet waste goes in the gray cart, the trash).  You can take them back to a local grocery store for recycling.  Plastic bags are easiest recycled in bulk.
• If your recyclables exceed your container size please place the excess in plastic or paper bags and set next to your recycling container - do not place the extra bags too close to your trash container or they may be recognized as excess trash. Notify Waste Management that you will have additional recycling set out for collection at (310) 830-7100. 
• For additional FREE residential blue recycling containers call Waste Management at (310) 830-7100.
• If you have bulky-items that are too big for the container, donate the items or contact Waste Management to schedule a FREE bulky-item pickup at (310) 830-7100.

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