Take-out Food Containers

Unfortunately, not all take-out food containers are accepted for residential recycling in Franklin County. Specifically, the plastic black and white take-out containers and Styrofoam containers are not accepted. As a result, these items should NOT be put into your residential recycling bin or drop-off container but should be disposed of with your residential trash.

WHY CAN’T THIS BE RECYCLED?

The types of plastics used in these containers are not accepted at the recycling facility that processes residential recyclables in Franklin County. Due to the different types of plastics used, and the variability in sizes and shapes of these materials, they are difficult to separate at the recycling facility and strong end markets don’t exist even if they are successfully separated.

QUICK TIPS

More people are bringing their own “take-home” containers to restaurants in case they have leftovers at the end of the meal. While not yet as common as people bringing their own reusable bags to grocery stores, there are growing efforts among Franklin County residents to reduce the amount of unrecyclable plastic that they generate. The next time you’re heading out to a restaurant, give it a try!

pro TIPS

A specialized recycling program for those harder-to-recycle plastics is now available to Franklin County residents who have access to curbside recycling or frequent a SWACO recycling drop-off location. Through a new partnership with Hefty and Rumpke, some plastics such as chip bags, granola bar wrappers, plastic film, plastic cutlery, and Styrofoam are now accepted in the Hefty ReNew bag. For a full list of the items that can be recycled in the ReNew program and a list of retailers who sell the Hefty ReNew Bags, click here.