Plastic
#1 & #2 Plastic Bottles | #5 Yogurt Containers | Plastic Bags | Frequently Asked Questions about Plastic
#1 & #2 Plastic Bottles
Grand Lake Recycling, 918.256.3108. 202 S. Vann St., Vinita
MET Centers, 918.584.0584.
• 211 N. Cabaniss, Bixby
• 302 N. Elm, Broken Arrow
• 306 W. Broadway, Collinsville
• 12085 S. Hwy. 51, Coweta
• 144th & Fern, Glenpool
• 110 N. Elm, Jenks
• 105 E. Morrow Rd., Sand Springs
• Admiral Pl. & Louisville, Tulsa
• 21st & 129th E. Ave., Tulsa
• 3495 S. Sheridan, Tulsa
• 51st & Union, Tulsa
• 81st & Lewis, Tulsa
Owasso Recycling Center, 918.272.4991. 499 S. Main St., Owasso
Show, Inc., 918.224.7214. 425 W. Wells Blvd., Sapulpa
#5 Yogurt Containers
Whole Foods Market, 918.712.7555. 1401 E. 41st St., Tulsa. Containers are collected and shipped to New York, where they are recycled. While the containers are spared the landfill, transporting them takes a lot of fuel, reducing the positive effect of recycling (reduced dependence on fresh petroleum).
Plastic Bags
Many stores, including Reasor’s, Wal-Mart and Target take back plastic bags. The Cherry Street Farmers’ Market and Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma also accept them. We recommend that you take your own reusable, canvas bag for shopping. Then you don’t have to worry about recycling them!
Plastic FAQs
Why can I only recycle #1s and #2s?
There are currently no processors in Oklahoma that can handle plastics 3-7. With no market for 3-7 in Oklahoma, we cannot accept them. However, we anticipate that we will be able to accept them in the future, as several companies are opening up MRFs (material recovery facilities) in the area, and the possibility of a much larger, citywide curbside program. An expanded curbside program will create the quantities needed to sustain the processing of all plastics.
Why do the plastics have to have a neck or handle? and Aren’t plastic cups recyclable?
Tulsa-area processors turn plastic bottles and containers into more bottles, and they have to have bottle-grade plastic to make it. Strawberry containers and plastic cups are different grades of plastic, even if they are #1 or #2, and can’t be used in the process because they melt at different temperatures and it would weaken the other plastics.
I recycle my water bottles. What else is recyclable?
Our plastics have to have either a neck or a handle. They don’t have to have both. Sometimes the neck or handle are disguised. Plastic coffee containers have an indention for a handle, and it has a small neck for the lid. Other containers like laundry detergent bottles and milk jugs are recyclable, too.
If you can unscrew a lid or hold a handle, you can recycle it (as long as it’s a #1 or #2).
Do I need to wash the bottles?
We ask that you rinse out the bottles if they have soda, milk, or other sticky liquids in them. You don’t have to spend a lot of time washing them out; just a quick rinse will usually do.
Do I need to take off the lids?
You can leave the lids on the bottles as long as they’re not screwed on tight. Keep them loose; just a twist or two to keep them on. Do not tighten them all the way down. Otherwise, it can damage the machinery.
If you have more questions, let us know! Email us or find us on Facebook.
