How to Recycle Plastic Right in Franklin County
Jul 01, 2026
Plastic Free July is a great opportunity to take a closer look at our relationship with plastic and explore simple ways to reduce waste in our daily lives. While reducing plastic use is the ultimate goal, knowing how to recycle plastic correctly is also an important part of keeping valuable materials out of the landfill.
If you’ve ever wondered which plastics belong in your recycling bin, the answer is simpler than you might think.
How Do You Recycle Plastic in Franklin County?
When recycling plastic in Franklin County, shape is your best guide.
Accepted plastic containers are typically shaped like:
- Bottles
- Tubs
- Jugs
- Cups
- Clamshell containers
Common examples include:
- Plastic cups
- Plastic clamshell containers, such as those used for berries or salad greens
- Laundry detergent bottles
- Milk jugs
- Yogurt containers
- Water bottles
- Butter and sour cream tubs
- 2-liter soda bottles
- Shampoo and conditioner bottles
If it’s shaped like a bottle, tub, jug, cup or clamshell container, it belongs in your recycling bin.
Before recycling, make sure containers are empty and dry. A quick rinse is all that’s needed—no scrubbing required. Labels and plastic lids can stay on.
What Plastic Items Cannot Be Recycled Curbside?
Not all plastic items belong in your recycling bin.
The following items are not accepted in Franklin County’s curbside recycling program:
- Plastic bags
- Plastic film wrap
- Straws
- Flexible packaging, such as chip bags and snack wrappers
These materials can become tangled in recycling equipment and interfere with the sorting process. Check out RecycleRight.org for special programs for recycling these types of plastic.
Why Reducing Plastic Matters
Every piece of plastic starts as oil, a nonrenewable resource that takes millions of years to form. Producing new plastic requires extracting and processing fossil fuels, which can contribute to habitat disruption, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Recycling plastic helps conserve resources and reduces the demand for new materials. However, the most effective way to reduce plastic waste is to use less plastic in the first place.
Easy Plastic-Free Swaps to Try
Many communities now have refill stores where customers can bring their own containers to refill products such as:
- Laundry detergent
- Dish soap
- Hand soap
- Shampoo
- Household cleaners
Refilling products helps eliminate the need for new plastic containers and reduces packaging waste.
Choose Alternative Packaging
When shopping, consider products packaged in:
- Glass
- Cardboard
- Paper
Choosing alternatives to plastic packaging can help reduce waste before it is created.
Bring Reusables
Keep reusable items on hand to avoid single-use plastics, including:
- Shopping bags
- Water bottles
- Travel mugs
- Food storage containers
Small changes may seem insignificant, but they can add up over time.
Recycle Right This Plastic Free July
This Plastic Free July, challenge yourself to do recycle what you can.
By understanding Franklin County’s recycling guidelines and making thoughtful purchasing decisions, you can help conserve resources, reduce waste and support a more sustainable future.
Want to learn more about what can and cannot be recycled in Franklin County? Visit RecycleRight.org for local recycling guidance, recycling search tools and additional resources.