Do curbside plastic recyclables get recycled?

Aug 08, 2023

Published monthly, the award-winning Bloomington Briefing is mailed to all single-family households and businesses.

Recently, there have been claims that most plastics do not get recycled. It is true that many plastic items cannot be recycled due to their size or low market value. However, items accepted for recycling in Bloomington’s curbside program have value and are being recycled.

Accepted plastics are sorted at metro recycling facilities and sold, primarily in the Midwest or North America to companies that create new products from recycled material.

You can help!

First, reduce the number of plastic items purchased, and second, only put accepted items in recycling containers. Here’s a breakdown:

Recycle: Empty plastic containers #1, #2 and #5 (numbers will be on the bottom of the container) which includes bottles, jugs, tubs, cups and takeout containers. Give items a quick rinse. They do not need to be perfectly clean. Keep the caps on.

DO NOT recycle: Black plastic, plastic bags or film, bubble wrap, Styrofoam, #3, #4, #6 or #7 plastic or any container that held hazardous waste.

Learn more at blm.mn/recycling.