Plastics #1 and #2 are the most common types of plastic containers. They are also the most likely to have a California Redemption Value (CRV) associated with them. Check out our CRV page for more information.

What do the numbers mean?

Numbers identify what type of plastic it is, and they're important when the materials get recycled. Click the plastic type below to learn more about each type and what it's commonly used for.

• #1 - PET or PETE

  • Full Name: Polyethylene Terephthalate
  • Usually clear or green, glossy, rigid containers that sink in water
  • Clear and green soda bottles
  • Cooking oil bottles, peanut butter jars
  • Salad dressing bottles and other food and drink containers

• #2 - HDPE

  • Full Name: High Density Polyethylene
  • Usually milky or solid colors and rigid containers
  • Plastic bags that are #2 are now recyclable at home. Read how to properly recycle plastic bags.
  • Milk jugs and yogurt or margarine tubs
  • Detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, and other containers

Do I need to remove the caps?

Don't worry about it. Even though plastic containers often have plastic tops with different colors or of a different plastic type, they can be recycled together.

Where can I find more tips for recycling plastics #1 and #2?

Take a look at our Plastic Recycling page or the Recycling FAQ page for more information and tips.

How do I get the CRV?

The California Redemption Value is available for beverage containers. Some of the sites below are buyback centers, but not all of them. Check out our CRV Page for details, but if you see "California Redemption Value" on a location listed below, it should be a buyback center. Redeem away!

Where to go

• All of Santa Barbara County (2)

  • Craigslist
  • Junk Recyclers — 6520 Platt Avenue #650

• Carpinteria Area (1)

  • Tomra Pacific Inc./Albertsons#6355 — 1018 Casitas Pass Rd

• Santa Barbara Area (5)

  • *South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • MarBorg Industries — 119 North Quarantina Street
  • MarBorg Industries' Recycling / ABOP Center — 725 Cacique Street
  • Santa Barbara Iron and Metal Recyclers — 709 East Gutierrez Street
  • Tomra Pacific Inc./Albertsons#6352 — 3943 State St

• Goleta & UCSB Area (5)

  • *South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center — 20 David Love Place
  • Tomra Pacific Inc./Albertsons #6357 — 5801 Calle Real
  • Tomra Pacific Inc./Albertsons#6354 — 7127 Hollister Ave #27
  • Tomra Pacific. Inc./Isla Vista Market — 939 Embarcadero Del Mar

• Santa Ynez Valley (4)

  • *Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station — 4004 Foxen Canyon Road
  • El Rancho Market — 2886 Mission Drive
  • Tomra Pacific, Inc./Albertsons #6324 — 222 East Highway 246
  • Waste Management — 97 Commerce Drive

• Lompoc Valley & VAFB (4)

  • City of Lompoc Recycling Drop-off Facility — 1585 North "V" St
  • Drive-In Recycling — 1028 North "H" Street
  • Drive-In Recycling — 2126 1/2 North "H" Street
  • Ocean Avenue Recycling — 501 West Ocean Avenue

• Santa Maria Valley (9)

  • City of Santa Maria Landfill, aka City of Santa Maria Regional Landfill — 2065 E Main St
  • Larrabee Brothers Recycling Center — 815 South Blosser Road
  • Nexcycle/CVS Pharmacy — 4852 South Bradley Road
  • Nexcycle/Spencers Fresh Markets — 3580 Orcutt Road
  • Nexcycle/Vons #2300 — 1482 South Broadway
  • Nexcycle/Vons #301 — 817 East Main Street
  • Tomra Pacific Inc./Albertsons#6348 — 2320 S Broadway
  • Tomra Pacific. Inc./La Chiquita — 1635 North Broadway
  • Waste Management — 1850 West Betteravia Road

• Cuyama Valley (2)

  • *New Cuyama Transfer Station — 5073 Highway 166
  • *Ventucopa Transfer Station — Highway 33

• Outside Santa Barbara County (4)

  • California Materials Exchange (CALMAX)
  • Earth911.com - Information Only — 1375 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 140
  • RecycleMatch — 3375 Westpark Drive, Suite 321
  • Throwplace.com