Recycling Plastics

Reducing Plastic Waste

The best way to cut down on plastic waste is to avoid purchasing plastic products using these tips:

  • Avoid single use use plastic bags by bringing your own reusable checkout and produce bags to the store
  • Remember your reusable coffee cup and opt out of straws if possible
  • Avoid plastic silverware by bringing your own portable set
  • Consider buying in bulk whenever possible and bring your own reusable containers
  • Opt for products without unnecessary packaging

City of Durango Plastic Recycling

The City accepts Plastic Bottles, Tubs, Jugs, Trays and Containers in the Single Stream Recycling Program and at the City’s Recycling Center. Use the DurangoRecycles.com webapp to check what can and cannot be recycled.

  1. Acceptable Materials
  2. Unacceptable Materials

The following plastic items can be placed in your City of Durango Single Stream Recycling container:

Bathroom

  • Liquid soap containers (pump removed)
  • Mouthwash containers
  • Shampoo and conditioner containers

Household

  • Laundry detergent, bleach and fabric softener containers
  • Liquid dish detergent containers
  • Liquid household cleaner containers
  • Kitty litter container

Kitchen

  • Containers (e.g. cooking oil, syrup, ketchup)
  • Cartons (e.g. milk, juice)
  • Bottles (e.g. water, soda)
  • Jars (e.g. peanut butter, mayonnaise)
  • Tubs (e.g. yogurt, cottage cheese, butter)
  • Food containers such as clam-shells or salad boxes

Recycling Plastic is Easy

Here’s how to recycle plastic containers:

  • Empty all food and liquid from plastic containers and rinse them before recycling.
  • Remove plastic lids and caps and recycle them separately.
  • If you are able, crush plastic bottles so they take up less room in the recycling container.
  • Recycled Plastic Products

Recycled plastics are turned into many products:

  • Carpeting
  • Fleece
  • Garden furniture
  • New plastic containers
  • Park benches
  • Pillow stuffing
  • Plastic lumber deck
  • T-shirts