Plastics
Plastic bottles
plastic bottles, water bottles, drink bottles, PET bottles, soda bottles
Can you recycle?
Widely
Plastic bottles are widely recycled. Empty and rinse them, put the cap back on, and place them in your curbside recycling.
Verified against 40,000+ local recycling programs · Updated June 2026
How to prepare
1. Empty the bottle and give it a quick rinse.
2. Put the cap back on so it gets captured at the sorting facility.
3. Leave the label on — it's removed during processing.
4. Place the bottle loose in your curbside recycling.
Common mistakes
Leaving liquid inside, which contaminates other recycling. Crushing bottles flat so sorting machines mistake them for paper. Removing and binning the caps, which are recyclable when left on.
What happens after you recycle it?
Recycled plastic bottles become new bottles, food trays, clothing fibers, fleece jackets, and carpet.
Drop-off guidance
Almost all curbside programs take plastic drink bottles, so a drop-off usually isn't needed. In deposit-return areas, return them to a redemption point or reverse vending machine for a refund.
FAQs
♻️ Can I recycle plastic bottles?
Yes. Empty and rinse them, replace the cap, and put them in your curbside recycling — they're one of the most widely accepted plastics.
📍 Where can I recycle plastic bottles near me?
Use the lookup above. Nearly all home recycling collections accept plastic drink bottles.
🆓 Is it free to recycle plastic bottles?
Yes. Curbside recycling is free to use.
💸 Can I get paid to recycle plastic bottles?
In deposit-return areas, yes — return empty bottles to a redemption center or reverse vending machine for a refund.
