Plastic

Plastic is recycled in the same container as metal and small cardboard items. Plastic materials with the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 5 can be recycled by placing them in the green bins located all over campus. Plastic materials with these numbers include most:

• Water & pop bottles
• Plastic bottles
• Cooking oil bottles
• Milk and Juice jugs
• Plastic food tubs
• Some plastic cups
• Some clamshell containers
• Snap top containers
• Plastic bottles
• Mouthwash bottles
• Shampoo bottles
• Cleaning product bottles

Note: Plastic items should be emptied of all food, drink, or packing materials prior to placement in recycling bin.  However, they do not need to be perfectly clean.  Dumping bulk items is generally good enough, but you can reuse your napkin to wipe any remaining food if necessary.  This will prevent odors as well as pests from being attracted to it until the bin is emptied, which occurs when they are ¾ full.

The following items are not accepted: plastic bags, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, cellophane, blue/sterilization wrap, Styrofoam, and other soft plastics. Check this website to learn more about which materials can be recycled in Omaha.

Additionally, items packaged as sharps, such as pipette tips and serological pipettes, are not accepted.

Any material that is biohazardous, contaminated, or requires disposal through Environmental Health and Safety must also be excluded.