Recycling Dilemma: Take-Out Containers

A collection of styrofoam food takeout containers with food inside

Determining if something is recyclable can be harder than deciding what to order for dinner. Before you take out your recycling, use these tips to ensure you’re recycling take out containers correctly. By recycling the accepted items and only the accepted items, you help ensure the success of our curbside program.

Recycle

Plastic Cups & Containers

  • Remember to empty and rinse these before recycling.

  • Tip: Check the bottom for chasing arrows and a code number. Plastic #1-5 and 7 is recyclable in The Woodlands, but #6 is not. If you don’t see a code, it’s safer to trash it.

Aluminum

  • Rinse trays and foil before recycling.

  • Tip: To ensure aluminum foil is properly sorted at the recycling facility, wait until you’ve created a ball that is four inches in diameter or larger before recycling the aluminum foil.

Paper Cups & Take-Out Containers

  • Ensure the container or cup is clean before recycling.

  • Tip: If the plastic lid for the cup is #1-5 or 7, it can also be recycled! 

Paper cups in a drink tray

Paper cups in a drink tray

Trash

Pizza Boxes

  • Pizza boxes are not recyclable if they have excessive grease or food residue. Clean or lightly greasy pizza boxes can be recycled.

  • Tip: When a pizza box is excessively greasy or dirty, tear off the clean top for recycling and throw the bottom in the trash.

Paper Liners & Napkins

  • Food-stained paper is not recyclable. The grease contaminates other comingled recyclables.

  • Tip: Stick to recycling paper cartons, cups, and boxes.

Styrofoam Cups and Packaging

  • Styrofoam cannot be recycled locally and must go in the trash.

  • Tip: When possible, opt for paper take-out containers and cups, which can be recycled.

Plastic Bags

  • Plastic bags never belong in the recycling cart. Always place these in the trash.

  • Tip: Clean and dry plastic bags and film can easily be recycled at the grocery store.

Cutlery, Sauce Cups, Packets, Straws

  • Small plastic items fall through recycling equipment and are considered contamination.

  • Tip: Reduce use of these items by bringing your own and refusing them at restaurants.

Assorted condiments in small plastic containers

Assorted condiments in small plastic containers

Do you notice a pattern? Most disposable containers and tableware are made of non-recyclable materials. Reduce waste by bringing your own reusable item and refusing single-use plastics when able.

Recycling can be easy with our new Recycle Right online widget! Simply type in the item you’d like to dispose of, and we’ll tell you exactly what to do with it. 

For more information, contact the Environmental Services Department at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or 281-210-3800.

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