You can now recycle plastic tubs! A tub is made of #5 polypropylene plastic, and typically holds foods like yogurt, margarine, sour cream, or cottage cheese. You can also recycle the lid! Thanks to a grant from the Recycling Partnership, Rumpke is now able to accept these items as part of its recycling program.
What is considered a tub?
Containers for butter, sour cream cottage cheese, yogurt, Jello and fruit slices would fall into the tub category. These items are all made of polypropylene and are labeled #5.
Are all #5 polypropylene plastics accepted?
No. At this time, Rumpke is only adding polypropylene tubs to its acceptable items list.
Are coffee pods accepted?
While pods are shaped like tubs, their size, color and cleanliness still pose an issue and aren’t accepted at this time.
Are plastic cups accepted?
Rumpke is not expanding its acceptable items list to include cups at this time.
Are the lids to these containers OK?
Yes. Like with bottles and jugs, Rumpke will accept the lids to tubs. Please place lid on empty container.
Do these containers need to be prepared a certain way to recycle?
Like with other items accepted in Rumpke’s recycling program, tubs should be empty, clean and dry. These items should be placed in recycling containers loose.
How clean do tubs need to be?
Items don’t need to be washed, but please rinse.
Can I nestle the tubs together?
To ensure the tubs are recovered in the recycling process, they need to be loose. Please don’t place containers inside of other containers.
What do the tubs become when recycled?
Rumpke has established several long-term end markets for the plastic tubs. The vast majority are located in the Midwest. Tubs will be recycled into new containers.
Why are we able to recycle tubs now?
There have been many recent innovations in plastic recycling. Previous challenges with polypropylene recycling included color and smell issues. In recent years, manufacturers have partnered with end users and recycling centers to develop ways to overcome these challenges and establish long-term uses for these materials.
For more information on local recycling options, please go to CincinnatiRecycles.org.
The Cincinnati Police Department reminds us to “put our junk in our trunk,” particularly during the holiday season. Here are some more safety tips courtesy of the CPD:
