The Right Way to Recycle Plastic Bottles
The Association of Plastic Recyclers recommends this simple rule:
“Empty and replace the cap.”
Before tossing a bottle into the recycling bin:
Empty it completely
Screw the cap back on
Place it loosely in the bin
One more important tip: Don’t flatten your bottle. Flattened bottles can be mistaken for paper during sorting and may end up in the wrong stream.
The Bottom Line
Leaving the cap on your plastic bottle isn’t just okay—it’s often the best choice for recycling efficiency, environmental protection, and reducing ocean pollution.
Sometimes, doing the right thing is as simple as a quick twist of the wrist.
If you’d like, I can:
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