What's the deal with plastic bottle caps and recycling?

Question

I've looked on here about recycling plastic bottle caps and there doesn't seem to be a real consensus.

I started looking into it, because my dad doesn't think the caps off soda bottles and such can be recycled at all, where as I just figure they need to be taken off the bottle (what with, if the machines the reclaim the plastic, crush the bottle while the caps are on, the bottle would build up pressue)

But the caps are still plastic, albeit a differen't kind of plastic, I'm sure. So if I just make sure to take the caps off the bottles, I should just be able to toss them into the bin along with the bottle, right? I've been doing that for ages.

I know the little caps aren't much, compared to the rest of the bottle, but everyone's "little bit" can add up to a lot; especially when you consider that only a small percentage of the recyclable products made each year are actually recycled.

And no, I'm not interested in the various "crafts" that the caps can be used for.

Answer 1

You are correct, the caps can be recycled but they need to be removed to avoid what you describe.

The bottle popping under pressure when they are compacted if the top is left on.

Simply remove them and throw them in the recycle bin with the bottle.

Answer 2

if they wanted the caps off im sure there would be a sign at recyclers.

Answer 3

Good question. I always just throw the cap into the same bin as the bottles.

Answer 4

The plastic used for bottle caps is a different grade of plastic. You can call your recycling place and ask them how they accept the caps. They may not care if they are mixed with the bottles or they may not be able to use them unless they are separated.

Answer 5

it is the the duty of workers ,we may help by throwing caps away

Answer 6

It seems that plastic bottle caps are not made from the type of plastic that is generally recycled - if you notice, there are not recycling logos on most caps.

Also, if you put a plastic bottle in the trash with the cap on, the cap will slow biodegration significantly.

Answer 7

Soda and some water bottles are polyester (# 1 plastic).  The caps are a different type of plastic.  Both can be recycled but must be done separately to avoid contamination.  If the recycler that your town sells to only works with #1 plastic you need to find a different place to recycle the caps.  Milk bottles are polyethylene (#2 plastic).  Some dairies use #2 caps,  others use a different plastic.  Keep up the effort and separate the different types of plastics.  Some recyclers will throw away whole bales if too much is not sorted.  The labor to separate at that point is more expensive than discarding the whole mess.