Plastic Free Salish Sea
It is better to assume that plastics may not be recycled when you purchase it until you have looked into this a bit first. Far less than 10% of all consumer packaging plastic has ever truly been recycled (more info see: Greenpeace Report Circular Claims Fall Flat). To reduce waste and ensure recycling happens, please consider following the two steps below:
1. Look and inquire for alternative (non-plastic) packaging when you make purchases.
2. If you cannot find an alternative at this time, please ensure it is in a bottle or jug AND that it is a #1 or #2 recycling code printed on the container. These #1 and #2 bottles/jugs can be recycled by your recycling services provider/waste station. However, plastics of other shapes such as caps, lids, clamshells, microwavable dishes, etc., even if #1 or 2 plastics, should be assumed to be trash after their use. They pose a contamination risk to our recycling system. If you cannot reuse them, please do not waste time and water to wash these items - just put them in the trash and next time ask your retailer for alternatives.
Check out these efforts at Plastic Free Salish Sea.