Knowledge Base

Thornton has expanded its recycling program and now you can recycle several types of plastics.  Plastic containers numbered 1-7 can be tossed into the green recycle bins. Please do NOT place soft plastics like grocery bags or bubble wrap in your green recycle bin.

Acceptable plastic containers include:

• Narrow necked containers #1 and #2 (caps removed)
• Any container stamped #3-7 (except those listed under unacceptable plastics below)
• Wide mouth containers stamped #1-7 (e.g., butter, margarine, cottage cheese tubs) snap-on lids
• Yogurt containers stamped #1-7 snap-on lids
• Clear clamshells such as sandwich or cookie containers from the deli or bakery, stamped #1-7
• Personal care/prescription bottles stamped #1-7
• Pails stamped #1-7: snap-on lids are ok
• Flower and garden pots stamped #1-7
• #7 Nalgene bottles
• All plastic containers should be rinsed and free of any debris or residue

Unacceptable items:

• No frozen food microwave trays
• No food trays or party platters even if stamped with #1-7
• No film plastic bags
• No automotive chemical containers including motor oil and anti-freeze bottles
• No pesticide containers
• No styrofoam of any kind
• No compostable bottles or cups (these will be marked compostable by the manufacturer)
• No containers of any kind larger than 2 1/2 gallons in size
• No other forms of plastic of any kind, such as toys.