Currently, there are no markets for rigid containers made from #3 - #7 plastics; however, this could change in the near future. We are always on the look-out for markets that are accepting this material and recycling it in an environmentally responsible way. When that happens we will change this list.

• #3 - PVC (NOT RECYCLABLE)

  • Full Name: Polyvinyl Chloride
  • Semi-rigid, glossy, sinks in water
  • Examples: water bottles and salad dressing bottles
  • Plastic pipes are NOT recyclable in your blue bin. Plastic pipes are an example of Plastic trash.

• #4 - LDPE (NOT RECYCLABLE)

  • Full Name: Low Density Polyethylene
  • Flexible, not crinkly
  • Examples: squeezable bottles such as honey or mustard containers
  • Exceptions: Many plastic bags are #4. They are not recyclable in your blue bin. Read how to properly recycle plastic bags.

• #5 - PP (Rigid containers sized one gallon or larger are currently recyclable)

  • Full Name: Polypropylene
  • Semi-rigid, low gloss, usually solid white or colored
  • Examples: yogurt containers, ketchup bottles, drinking straws, and other containers
  • Exceptions: Wet suits are often made out of "Poly-pro", but they are not recyclable in your blue bin. Read how to reuse wetsuits.

• #6 - PS (NOT RECYCLABLE)

  • Full Name: Polystyrene
  • Often brittle and glossy
  • Examples: plastic cups and plates, CD cases, and empty medicine bottles
  • Polystyrene foam (also known as the trademarked Styrofoam) is not recyclable in your blue bin. This is true even if it has #6 and the recycling symbol on it. Read how to reuse Styrofoam.

• #7 - Other (NOT RECYCLABLE)

  • These plastics are often specially made and contain many types of individual plastics.
  • Examples: Tupperware, reusable drinking bottles, and 3- and 5-gallon water containers

What about hard plastic without a number?

Most of these would be classified as #7, so they are also not recyclable.

What about plastic bags?

Plastic bags, are not recyclable in your blue bin. Please click here for more information about recycling plastic bags.

What about compostable or biodegradable plastic?

Compostable plastic is not recyclable. It is designed to be composted at commercial composting facilities. For most areas in the county, compostable plastic is considered trash; however, if you compost at home and have a hot pile, you can try discarding the compostable plastic there.

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

• Santa Barbara Area (3)

  • *South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • MarBorg Industries — 119 North Quarantina Street
  • Santa Barbara Iron and Metal Recyclers — 709 East Gutierrez Street

• Goleta & UCSB Area (2)

  • *South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • Albertsons — 7127 Hollister Avenue

• Santa Ynez Valley (3)

  • *Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station — 4004 Foxen Canyon Road
  • El Rancho Market — 2886 Mission Drive (behind Market)
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center – Buellton — 97 Commerce Drive

• Lompoc Valley & VAFB (2)

  • Drive-In Recycling — 2126 North H Street
  • Vandenberg Air Force Base Exchange — Building 10400 Community Loop

• Santa Maria Valley (3)

  • Bedford Enterprises, Inc. — 1940 West Betteravia Road
  • City of Santa Maria Landfill, aka City of Santa Maria Regional Landfill — 2065 East Main Street
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center — 1850 West Betteravia Road

• Cuyama Valley (2)

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

• Outside Santa Barbara County (2)

  • Earth911.com – Information Only — 3481 Plano Parkway
  • Waste Management Incorporated, Think Green from Home —