LessIsMore.org: Santa Barbara County's Recycling Resource

Plastics #1 and #2 are the most common types of plastic containers and the most easily recyclable. 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.

#1 - PET or PETE

• Full Name: Polyethylene Terephthalate
• Large bottles or containers that once held a liquid (recyclable if clean)
• Salad dressing bottles and other food and drink containers (recyclable if clean)
• Glossy, rigid containers (usually clear or green) that sink in water, such as clamshell containers that hold fruits and vegetables (not currently recyclable)

#2 - HDPE

• Full Name: High Density Polyethylene
• Rigid containers that usually have a milky or solid color
• Milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, or any other large container that once held a liquid (recyclable if clean)
• Plastic bags (not recyclable at curbside - read about other options)

Do I need to remove the caps?

For plastic bottles thrown into your curbside recycling bin, no, you don't need to remove the caps. If you bring your plastic bottles to a CRV redemption center though, you'll need to remove the caps to ensure that no liquids remain inside.

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 Refund 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 Refund 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 (4)

  • *Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station — 4004 Foxen Canyon Road
  • Chumash Casino Resort — 3400 East Highway 246
  • El Rancho Market — 2886 Mission Drive (behind Market)
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center – Buellton — 97 Commerce Drive

• Lompoc Valley & VAFB (3)

  • City of Lompoc Recycling Drop-off Facility — 1585 North V St
  • 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 —