Want to Know Where to Recycle Your Bottle Caps?

by 01/07/09 102 Comments

Keep saving your lids for the next time you need to buy some more shampoo or lotion at Aveda. The company accepts all polypropylene (plastic #5) lids for recycling at its stores, which you can quickly search for using Earth911.com.

Did you know that bottle caps are generally a different type of plastic than the bottles themselves? Put down your water bottle for a second and flip it over. On the bottom, you’ll probably see a triangle with chasing arrows and a “1″ on the inside. That means that the bottle is polyethylene, a plastic generally accepted for recycling in most curbside and drop-off programs. But have you checked out the lid yet?

More than likely, the lid doesn’t have a number on it. Or, if it does, it’s a different number than the bottle itself. The problem with this is that, sometimes, your recycler may not accept this different plastic, and the lids end up getting sent to landfills in the recycling process.

You can determine if you have the right kind of plastic by checking to see if the lid is:

  • Bottle caps usually require a separate recycling process from the bottles themselves. Aveda recycles plastic#5 caps at its stores.

    Bottle caps usually require a separate recycling process from the bottles themselves. Aveda recycles plastic#5 caps at its stores.

    A twist top, or a cap with a threaded neck (think: shampoo, water, soda, milk)

  • A flip-top cap from a tube or food product bottle (think: ketchup, mayonnaise)
  • A laundry detergent or peanut butter lid
  • Rigid and resistant to tears (think: can you bend or break the lid with your hands?)

The program doesn’t accept lids like yogurt lids, pharmaceutical lids, tub lids (like margarine or cottage cheese) and non-screw top lids.

Once collected, the caps are recycled and turned into new packaging for Aveda products, like hair color and shampoo.

Just think: by the simple act of saving your bottle caps and jar lids for your next trip to the mall, you’ll also end up saving valuable plastic from getting trashed and possibly prevent a marine animal from attempting to eat these colorful caps.

(Don’t have an Aveda near you? Whole Foods is another national retailer that is now collecting plastic #5 products.)

Jennifer Berry

Jennifer Berry

Jennifer Berry is the Social Media Editor and Sr. PR Director for Earth911.com. You can follow her on Twitter @jenn_berry.


  1. Marisol B. Stgo

    posted on June 26th, 2011 at 11:50 pm

    Ok, just found out that the whole recycle bottle tips for chemo is a hoax, buti have also found out that you can turned them in at Whole Food Stores... Aveda reuses plastic#5 (bottle caps, twist off ones) great news.

  2. Maria Rodriguez

    posted on June 27th, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    It's good to know more thing about recycling... such as bottle caps, twist off ones....wooow.

  3. Jim Farrell

    posted on July 4th, 2011 at 12:39 pm

    Send the caps to Aveda, e-mail capcollection@aveda.com to recieve 20 postage paid mailing labels. Call UPS for pick-up. Aveda prefers to recieve boxes measuring 17"l x 15"w x 12"d. Happy Recycling

  4. Lauren Stone

    posted on October 20th, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    Avid participator....got friends and family saving caps for me heading to Aveda! Excellent idea Aveda.

  5. Tiffany Thuy Ha

    posted on December 7th, 2011 at 5:27 am

    all caps or only Aveda's products?

  6. Myrlene Augustin-Cox

    posted on July 15th, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    People have been given me bottle caps as well as any types of caps because I was told it was going to cancer survivors- Of course, I found out it was a hoax- I know that it was hard effort for people to collect them-I have a ton and I wonder what I can do with the other types of lids that I can not recycle- Maybe some artist needs it. I appreciate at least knowing that Aveda will be able to take of most of them.

  7. Patty Bongiovanni

    posted on July 29th, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    The best thing to do with caps is to just put them back on the bottle after you empty it. Check this out... http://plasticsrecycling.org/news/news-archives/8-news-archives/8-plastic-recyclers-support-replacing-caps-on-bottles-prior-to-recycling-

  8. Sharon Mitchell Coleman

    posted on October 19th, 2011 at 1:47 am

    i scan the site, have you used it?

  9. Krista Miller

    posted on November 17th, 2011 at 11:18 pm

    Hey, earthlings! Did you know you can recycle your lids too? Yes, you'll have to separate them from your city's recycling, but they don't take much space, and you can bring them to an Aveda store or Whole Foods for recycling. Or, you can give them to me and I'll take them in! Love your Mother Earth! <3

  10. Jessica Reeves

    posted on December 6th, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    Cool! I always wondered what to do with the dumb tops!

  11. Susan Roffer Weintraub

    posted on January 14th, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    thank goodness someone is collecting these bottle tops, but the word needs to get out. I clean the beach in south florida and the item I find the most is bottle caps. I can collect 60-100 caps a day on a 4 mile walk. Please recycle these caps in the proper way!

  12. Joseph Cofield

    posted on January 16th, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    Recycling plastic caps is a great way help reduce the litter on our streets and to improve the recycle program. We started the recycle program as another one of our outreach prostate cancer programs. It is very easy to do collecting the little plastic caps.

  13. Claribel Tapia

    posted on January 17th, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    help find a place to give bottle caps towards cancer treaments I'm doing a project with cicero community please help me thanks.

  14. Nicole Hicks

    posted on January 31st, 2012 at 3:52 am

    if it's for real i'll send you mine i had a coworker last year collecting them but i just looked it up. message.snopes.com › Urban Legends › Business

  15. Joan Prout Steinhoff

    posted on January 26th, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    I recycle them! All my employees are doing it too!

  16. Janice M Ellis

    posted on January 27th, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    I have several boxes of caps. Is there anyone in the Danbury, CT area interested in taking them?

  17. Tatiana Arends V

    posted on March 13th, 2012 at 4:29 am

    are the metal crowns? ie like beer bottle caps

  18. Marianthe Manganello

    posted on February 25th, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    Hi Jennifer I just called the Whole Foods store in Union?/Millburn area in New Jersey and they told me that they do not accept plastic bottle caps for recycling.

  19. Marianthe Manganello

    posted on February 25th, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    What a shame. Matina and I have been collecting plastic bottle caps for a year now for a Caps for Cancer program we found out about only to find out it was a hoax today. Now I'm looking for somewhere to recycle all these caps. Accordinng to this article Aveda accepts them and Whole Foods. I called Whole Foods in Union and they said they don't accept them for recycling. Hopefully Aveda will.

  20. Tara Murphy

    posted on February 25th, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    keep them, I may know of where you can donate.. Ill let you know.

  21. Marianthe Manganello

    posted on February 25th, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    Thanks otherwise I will send them to Aveda. Do we have any Aveda stores by us anywhere?

  22. Kathy Morgan

    posted on February 29th, 2012 at 5:03 am

    I am going out of th=own in the am but will check with my kids sch on Monday..they recycle caps. I will find out where they go.

  23. Tara Murphy

    posted on February 29th, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    awesome Kathy!! Pleae let me know as well. I have some too! I can give to you at the Morristown Lunch if you want.. or I can drop off!

  24. Amy Bailey-Lemieux

    posted on March 25th, 2012 at 5:02 am

    I am hosting a Homeschool Cap day Art day... making murals guessing games and winning prizes then donating.. its all a part of Earth Day Earth Month Earth Life.. thank you for the info.

  25. Judi Stone

    posted on March 26th, 2012 at 1:23 am

    Our local American Legion collects bottle caps for recycling, coupons to send to military families, and collects other items for other benefits (like training seeing-eye dogs, etc.). Check with your local American Legion to see what programs they are involved in and maybe you can help make a difference.

  26. Julie Core

    posted on April 17th, 2012 at 10:23 pm

    Please send all your saved bottle caps to our non profit! www.CoreTheTeacherStore.org. We use them for game pieces, manipulatives, and kits. We LOVE the clear thin water bottle caps. We also need red and green caps. email me if you have questions. julie.coreinc@yahoo.com

  27. Creazioni Bijoux - Craft and Fun

    posted on April 20th, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    a simple and fast way to make small containers with caps on the bottles: http://www.craftandfun.com/2011/11/riciclo-creativo-tappi-in-pet.html

  28. Adriana Jimenez

    posted on April 25th, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    There's also Caps Can Do in Columbus, OH. http://www.capscando.org/html/plastic_cap_recycling.html

  29. Alfred Ballester

    posted on May 4th, 2012 at 10:49 am

    In Gibraltar we have a campaign collecting plastic caps too - http://www.gibbook.com/events/profile/71 Hopefully this will help us help others for a change!
As of June 17th 2011 we have upgraded our comment system to use Facebook comments. The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.

73 Archived Comments

  1. Jenae Finney

    posted on January 16th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    Who do I send my bottle caps to then? to Aveda?

  2. Jeffrey

    posted on January 27th, 2009 at 10:50 am

    Ya, goo question Jenae, were would we send our bottle caps? I live in a very rural area. No malls, (thank God and Goddess, or whoever you worship), this would be the best alternative vs. trashing it, and killing a marine animal’s life.

  3. Why can - Q&A WIKI

    posted on February 3rd, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    [...] misspelling and bottle caps you should get it. ANSWER: The website for recycling the lids is: http://earth911.com/blog/2009/... Report Abuse ANSWER: They are made from a different, more rigid, type of plastic than the [...]

  4. Elisa

    posted on February 4th, 2009 at 11:41 am

    THANKS for the questions!

    Jennifer: What do you mean when you say: “…saving your bottle caps and jar lids for your next trip to the mall.” ? What do you mean??? Am I supposed to visit the shoe store, the book store, the sunglass hut….WHO or WHERE should I take the caps??? Someone else (not as dedicated to re-cycling) might read this and become VERY discouraged. People want to know specifics. They don’t have the time to read a ‘fun’ article titled “Want To Know Where To Recycle Your Bottlecaps?” that is inspiring but UN-informative! If they are at the site and have begun to read an article they are already inspired. They simply need specifics on WHERE to recycle or a phone number, at least!

    In my experience, which is considerable, I have not found anyone at a mall telling me where to re-cycle bottlecaps. I certainly have not found anyone at the mall collecting recyclables!

  5. Dawn

    posted on February 4th, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    Our school was told to collect bottle caps for a student who has cancer. It is supposed to help pay for chemo. But no one knows what to do with the large quantity we have collected. The source of the request has disappeared. Can you tell me where I can take these to be recycled? Anything would help – they are piling up fast because we all care about the student with cancer . . . I am located near Charlotte in NC.

    Thank you!
    Dawn

  6. eric wood

    posted on March 14th, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    I need to start checking my caps out.

    For those of you who are confused as to where you are supposed to recycle the #5 plastics in the caps, scroll to the top of the page, enter #5 plastic in the box for what you want to recycle and enter your location in the box for where, then click “search” All your options will be shown.

    http://www.goinggreenaccidently.blogspot.com

  7. Andrea Saddi

    posted on March 27th, 2009 at 10:58 am

    People think that recycling is not that important. but it really does something to help us survive in this world. What recycling does is it actually helps to make energy, or protects the envorinment. People don’t know this but actually it is the common habit of a daily life.

  8. Renee Hicks

    posted on April 1st, 2009 at 5:02 am

    There is no such promotion that will turn caps into help paying for chemotherapy. This was a hoax on the internet for a long time. It was perpetuated by a story talking about caps for cancer, but upon further research, nothing came of it. As a cancer survivor of almost 2 years, I have looked into this and there is no such thing as saving caps for chemo. If there was, why wouldn’t everybody be doing it?
    Aveda.com does have instructions about saving caps and sending the caps to them for use in shampoo bottles, etc. Check out their website for the info.

  9. Brooke Wickham

    posted on April 1st, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    I tried several times to recycle plastic caps at Aveda stores, but there are no Aveda salons in Thurston or Pierce Counties in Washington state that participate in the recycling program. Aveda has a nice web page about recycling bottle caps, but since each salon can choose to participate or not, the recycling program is not really an option. The Aveda salons in my area in Olympia, Washington had not even heard about the cap recycling program. I sent several emails to Aveda to try to find a place to recycle the caps, but never heard back from them. It appears that the Aveda recycling program is just smoke and mirrors and sounds nice, but is not really functioning as a true recycling program, but as a public relations gimmick.

  10. Brooke Wickham

    posted on April 1st, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    In case you cannot find an Aveda salon to bring your plastic caps to, if you live in the Western United States, you can send plastic caps to:

    Distribution Center
    Aveda Cap Program
    Attention: Cesar Soto
    475 West Apra Street
    Rancho Dominguez CA 90220

    I called the Aveda Corporate Headquarters after many unsuccessful email requests for help with finding a location near where I live for Aveda’s recycled cap program, and they kindly gave me the above address.

  11. rita

    posted on April 13th, 2009 at 6:46 am

    thanx for the bottle cap info, however, was disappointed to read someone said the aveda’s she tried did not accept them. i will call the two i know of to inquire. rita m.

  12. elaine

    posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 6:40 am

    I own an AVEDA salon in South Tampa, Florida. You can bring your bottle caps to us and we will distribute them to AVEDA for you. Visit us on Facebook for more information.

  13. Courtney

    posted on May 6th, 2009 at 8:17 am

    To Eric above- no, typing in their search does not work. It shows the places that accept #5 plastics, which is very different from the CAPS. All the search results for my area don’t actually accept lids, but there is no way for this search engine to tell you that, I just know from checking their websites. And I tried typing in things with “cap” “lid” etc, but they don’t list that here.

  14. Amanda

    posted on May 18th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    Thanks for telling me where to send the caps! I am passonate about helping the enviroment!!!!!

  15. Amanda

    posted on May 19th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    Check out my website

    http://savetheenviroment.groups.homepagenow.com

  16. Menna

    posted on June 16th, 2009 at 2:57 am

    I always need to own a company that reciles in Ethiopia .But I can’t do it because of financial problems . Here where I live there are many throun waste materials that can be recicled ? Is there any one up there that can help me .

  17. Elizabeth

    posted on June 26th, 2009 at 9:02 pm

    Does anyone know where I can recycle baby food lids?

  18. T

    posted on July 2nd, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    Does anyone know where I can find some data on the damage metal beer caps do when thrown into the ocean or lakes? I know fish and other marine life might eat them but i’m looking for some scientific data or studies that have been done?

  19. Emily

    posted on July 11th, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    Dawn:
    go here: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_6_1x_Bottle_Caps_for_Chemo.asp
    it’s a sad truth, i collected bottle caps for my gym and now I don’t know where they go! Perhaps you could give your collection to the art classes at your school and they could use them in a project or sculpture of some kind.

  20. Rhonda

    posted on July 24th, 2009 at 6:24 am

    You can use the plastic caps for drainage fill in plant containers. You can also check out this site for more suggestions: http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/20070709/how-can-i-reuse-or-recycle-bottle-caps.

  21. Donna

    posted on September 6th, 2009 at 4:59 am

    My school is interested in collecting bottle caps, but a Middle School would like to do it for a reason, like get supplies for the school, etc. Is there anyone that sponsors recycling programs for schools?

  22. jodie

    posted on October 18th, 2009 at 10:42 am

    Hi, my family just got word about the caps for cancer and have started collecting caps, however after research, the cancer society has released a statement that this is a HOAX. please check into this i would hate to crush the dreams of a cancer patient so please research this.

  23. JT

    posted on October 27th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

    I’m in San Diego, CA – are there any real simple answers instead of going from website to website on recycling plastic water bottles?
    So far I learned “no caps”.
    Do I have to take the wrappers off the bottles?
    Do I need to separate the clear from the colored? I would think so.
    Would I receive the 5 cents per bottle or do I get paid by weight?
    How much do I need to have for the recycler to take them?
    I want to start recycling even tho I really don’t have the room where I live.

  24. Aaron

    posted on November 1st, 2009 at 10:57 am

    Someone should make a sheet we can print off an hang by a box to collect these. Something with pictures of acceptable items, maybe a list, maybe the symbols that have a 5 in them so we know the difference, maybe a list of items that cannot go in there, and maybe the reason why we are seperating the caps from the bottles…………….

    I might work on that, but don’t know how to share it with others.

  25. keith opalinski

    posted on November 2nd, 2009 at 12:05 am

    im looking to do artwork with bottle caps, so if anyone would like to donate them to me i would be more then greatful

  26. Brooke B

    posted on November 5th, 2009 at 5:13 pm

    So are the plastic caps on 20 oz soda bottles # 5′s? People at work collect them for the “reward points”, & after they are done throw about 20 away at once. I would love to be able to start a collection bin at work & drop them off at Whole Foods myself as it is closer to me than an Aveda salon. So, just to clarify, are Coke caps #5?

  27. Stephanie

    posted on November 8th, 2009 at 8:18 pm

    As the art teacher in an elementary school we are huge into recycling. I am in the midst of an art unit on reuse, recycle, reinvent…and would love any bottlecaps you would like to send our way. I’m also looking for lids (from containers) in any color or size. Please contact me if interested. Thanks!

  28. Rosemary Daniell

    posted on November 18th, 2009 at 4:29 am

    Help-Please help! I have been collecting bottle tops for some years.When our local collection point here in Teignmouth, S Devon UK stopped I took them to our friends [linked to Secours Catholic]in Casteljaloux France where they went ‘to help provide wheelchairs for handicapped children’. Now they too no longer use them. I regularly receive carrier bags full from our church members. Do I now have to tell them to throw them in their bins. Surely that too cannot be a HOAX like ‘caps for cancer’ Sometimes it is so difficult to do the right thing. Good luck to you all.Rosemary

  29. Rachel

    posted on December 8th, 2009 at 6:35 am

    I just contacted Aveda and confirmed the address. If you call this number you can verify yourself as well.

    1-877-Aveda09 (found this number here – http://aveda.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.asp)

    ACA Waste Services
    40 Eads Street
    West Babylon, NY 11704

  30. tyhhgfhjhfghjgjfhj

    posted on December 11th, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    where do i send my caps????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

  31. Karen

    posted on December 17th, 2009 at 11:04 am

    Read everyone of these postings! It’s really sad in this day and age with so many concerned people that our government hasn’t come up with some way to keep these out of our landfills. I’ve also been saving mine for years and refuse to give up. Someday, someone will take the time and invest the $$ to make it profitable. Maybe the answer is to go to the source. The manufacturers to come up with something biodegradible. Just a thought. Until then I’m hanging onto mine till there’s a true solution. I’m proud of you all. Keep up the effort. If we keep this dilemma alive in voice and writting maybe someday.

  32. Michelle

    posted on January 6th, 2010 at 6:08 pm

    Aveda will send you pre-paid mailing labels to send them the bottle caps. AT NO COST TO YOU. I just enrolled our elementary school in their program and we now 400 students collecting caps. We are promoting this to our parents and — the class that collects the most will get an ice cream party at the end of the year. Just think of all the plastic that won’t end up in a landfill. AND we’re teaching our children (our future!) to recycle.

  33. Jake

    posted on January 12th, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    What are soda bottle caps generally made out of? I was really happy when I found out that the local recycling program expanded to accept plastic numbers 1-7, but they still ask us to remove and throw away the lids.

  34. Tami

    posted on February 3rd, 2010 at 11:20 am

    Stephanie, I have been collecting the caps because I had heard about the Caps for chemo. I was extremely disappointed to find out this was a hoax. I would love to donate them to your art class if you are still interested. I will ship them UPS if you give me the address.
    Thank you,

  35. julia schloss

    posted on February 27th, 2010 at 8:51 am

    I use the bottle caps for mosaics, as feet for my DreamBoxes and BedSideLUVBoxes , and for noise makers in side butter tubs when I teach Salvage Art to toddlers.

  36. Dee

    posted on March 3rd, 2010 at 1:28 pm

    Open the website http://www.aveda.com, at the very top click on Find Location, type in your zip code and make a call to the first one that comes up. Ask if they participate. If not, keep calling until you find a local salon.

    OR – you can read the Aveda page (search cap recycling program on their website) and you can find out what they accept and how to get it to them or contact them.

    READ people.

    This is an excellent program to help reduce our waste.

  37. Kerri Brophy

    posted on March 21st, 2010 at 7:03 am

    I just wanted to let everyone know that there is now a program out there that let you recycle your caps for children with sever injury and illness and animals that are homeless and abused. Caps for Care was started in December 2009 by me to bring this hoax to a reality. From the money raised I only keep enough to keep the company running, the rest is donated to organizations that help children with sever injuries and illnesses and the Human Society to help the animals. Please visit my web site http://www.capsforcare.com If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I am based in Florida but accept the caps from all over.

  38. Colleen

    posted on March 25th, 2010 at 5:10 pm

    I just came upon this site. I am also collecting caps for my elementary school. We are making a mural for our hallway out of these caps as a way to help the environment (preventing the caps from going in the trash). If anyone still has their collections and would like to donate it would be great. Just let me know.

  39. Elizabeth Mwangi

    posted on March 30th, 2010 at 11:28 am

    Greetings.
    I am currently in south sudan supporting one of the development agency programs. I am looking for an organization willing to collect the PET that generously litters the whole place including plastic bags.
    I am more interested in partnering with an organization that will support my efforts to work with the schools to trade in the PET for books and other stationery as well as some food items for the carbage they collect. In this place its all over. All i need is an incentive to make people collect.

    I am giving a presentation in a university college on the benefits of recycle but would be interested to know what agencies or organizations are willing to support the South Sudan people collect adn recycle the plastics and hopefully have construction and other materials too.

    please advice

    Liz
    +254 733 787499

  40. ReCap Company

    posted on April 5th, 2010 at 11:09 am

    We will take your plastic bottle caps! Check out ReCap Co. where we will re purpose caps for doormats. We will provide shipping, if necessary, we will also provide collection bins, if needed. We provide organic cotton tees, (in lieu of shipping), for a minimum donation. We are excited to get schools, businesses, and other organizations involved for collecting. Feel free to contact us with any questions about getting involved.

    Thank you,
    ReCap Company

  41. Cush

    posted on April 14th, 2010 at 11:10 am

    Great news! The ReCap Company… that’s one, or you can send your #5 plastics (yogurt tubs, lids, etc.) to “Preserve” in upstate New York. Whole Foods does NOT have #5 recycling at every location. We do have to mail it back though.

    *** IMPORTANT: 5.5 quadrillion plastic pellets are used each year in the production of plastics…

    Please recycle your lids!!! All plastics, everything.

    Tim
    (310) 642-7529

  42. ReCap Company

    posted on April 26th, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    ReCap Company still wants your plastic bottle tops!! You may donate any number of caps and earn a free organic tee. We can also assist with shipping if necessary! So far, we have brought in over 500,000 plastic caps!!! We would like all of our participants for their interest and support in our quest for caps!! Keep up the good work!!!

    Thank you!!!
    ReCap Company

  43. Kathy

    posted on April 28th, 2010 at 11:41 am

    Thanks so much , I had read about the plastic bottle lids awhile back in one of my magazines. My husband Fred and I have been collecting the lids and I was hoping to find a craft that I can use these caps for something useful…possible a mat for the door? or stand for a planter? any ideas welcome.

    Peace and Be Green

    Kathy
    OKC, Oklahoma

  44. judith

    posted on May 29th, 2010 at 1:07 pm

    i have like 3 or 4 bags of bottle caps i dont know what to do with them please give a idea!

  45. marilyn

    posted on June 19th, 2010 at 4:02 am

    hello, i save tops too, they are so pretty and colorful, i save all kinds of tops, i was wanting to know are they some places that will exspect all i have, they are many different kinds, Not only bottles tops, I want to be a help with all my tops. Thanks

  46. Nikki

    posted on June 27th, 2010 at 2:06 pm

    I need to know where to take beer bottle caps. I have a huge amount and want to recycle them for the cancer walk I am doing. :) Let me know,.

  47. Todd Weaver

    posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    I want to craft with used bottle caps but I can’t find a bulk supply.I’d rather buy used so that the products I craft will be recycled. How do I get my handson a bucket-ful of colorful plastic? If you are curious about what you can make with bottle caps there are many websites devoted to the task – I was supprised to find that no one had listed a bulk supplier for commercial productin of recycled bottle cap products.

    Any input would be very much appreciated.

    Todd Weaver

  48. Todd Weaver

    posted on July 3rd, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    Also, anyone on this list is welcome to contact me about your plastic bottle caps.. I will gladly pay you for amounst as little as 25 caps or as much as you have and pay the shipping. Let’s talk!

    handcrafted@live.com

    Todd Weaver

  49. katie

    posted on July 6th, 2010 at 10:15 pm

    The metal tabs on can drinks can be given to the Ronald McDonald house, they collect them.

  50. Ivan Stafford

    posted on August 21st, 2010 at 12:07 pm

    Your article refers to #1 plastic as “polyethylene”. But most bottles labeled #1 are “PETE” or PETG”–polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene terephthalate glycol. Aren’t the polyethylenes are #2 (HD) and #4 (LD)? What am I missing here?

  51. Bobby

    posted on September 17th, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    What a farce recycling is………….i have all kinds ……….and no where to go……..The oil companies have a strangle hold on recycling your P.E T E. 2 thru 9……including the caps……..this country is full of liars and thieves………your city or county recycling program are stealing you money and not letting us have a fair shake at recycling…….it is all fixed up for them to score on your waste…….what a sham!!!…..we should demand a change ASAP

  52. Al

    posted on September 22nd, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    Im diabetic and twice a day(some other people more) use those small test strips that come in those plastic containers. I go thru so many of these plastic containers per week i was wondering where these and pill, vitamin bottles can go to be recycled and if they can be recycled.

    thanks

  53. produce guy

    posted on September 29th, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    Here in Austin,Tx. we have single stream recycling and put all plastics up to #7 in are big 90 gallon bin,along with paper ,cardboard,metals and foil.

  54. brenda lee

    posted on October 5th, 2010 at 5:38 am

    here in Gainesville, Fl…i am collecting plastic twist caps for a friend, his family has a very close family friend who needs 800 bottle twist tops for chemo help. we have collected about 500 tops in 4 weeks…

  55. Carol Ann Frees

    posted on October 8th, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    I have a whole lot of plastic bottle caps we were saving for a boy to receive chemo treaments and now he has passed away. Anyone want them?

  56. tlozier

    posted on October 20th, 2010 at 9:03 am

    Just went to the Aveda.com, clicked on locations, call one of the store in our area and they directed me to a drop off store. So if you live in the NJ area go to the Garden State Plaza Mall and drop off your caps at the Aveda store there. Hope that helps people in the area who want to have a safer environment.

  57. teresa

    posted on October 28th, 2010 at 10:53 am

    where do you take plastic to be recycled and get paid for it?

  58. Pete

    posted on November 3rd, 2010 at 4:03 am

    What about the plastic ring that strips off the bottle top when you open it? Can they stay on the plastic bottles, or do you have to strip them off?

  59. John

    posted on November 14th, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    The ReCap Co. accepts botle caps, http://www.recapcompany.com

    Up until a little while ago, they were giving away t-shirts for caps

  60. Jen

    posted on December 3rd, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    My husband’s company was participating in the Aveda program by mailing them in. However, they were just notified that due to an overwhelming response by recyclers everywhere Aveda has been swamped with plastic caps and has discontinued accepting any further plastic cap donations.

  61. Teens Leveraging Change

    posted on December 5th, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    The plastic ring that strips off the bottle top can be used to make christmas ornaments. (My grandma did this many years ago – way before recycling was cool.) She crocheted around the ring. (Wish I could include a picture on the site – I still have them). Does anyone have a pattern for these?

  62. Teens Leveraging Change

    posted on December 5th, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    Reply to Al’s Sept 22nd post: In my community, the local vet will accept plastic pill bottles. They reuse them to send medications home for people’s pets. Just take the current label off. They even give you a dollar off your pet’s medication if you bring in your own pill bottle. Ask your local veterinarian, maybe they would like them.

  63. Teens Leveraging Change

    posted on December 5th, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    For those of you looking to recycle plastic caps with Aveda – below is the e-mail response I received when I inquired in April 2010 on where to send the caps:
    ==============================================================

    Thank you for your interest in the “Recycle Caps with Aveda” Program.

    You may bring your caps to any participating Aveda Experience Center
    (store) or send them in by mail to:

    ACA Waste Services
    40 Eads Street
    West Babylon, NY 11704

    Caps included in this collection are any plastic “twist on” caps. Some
    examples are; water bottles, soda bottles, laundry detergent bottles,
    ketchup bottles, and shampoo/ conditioner bottles. Caps that are NOT
    included are any metal caps and any “snap fit” plastic caps. Some
    examples of snap fit caps are; margarine and cottage cheese caps.

    Thank you for your help with the “Recycle Caps with Aveda” Program.

    Have a great day!

    Kendra Fleischer
    Aveda Cap Collection Program
    capcollection@aveda.com
    1.877.AVEDA09

  64. Teens Leveraging Change

    posted on December 5th, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    Since the discussion is regarding recycling plastic, please consider recycling your used gift cards (after spending them this holiday season). Typically, the retailer retains your used gift card, and they get thrown away. Most gift cards are made of PVC, a known toxic type of plastic that does not biodegrade in landfills. After spenging your gift card, ask the retailer to give it back to you, so you can recycle it. Earthworks (www.earthworkssystem.com) will take your old cards and recycle then. Collect a big batch and sending them to:
    Earthworks c/o Halprin Ind.
    25840 Miles Rd.
    Bedford, Oh 44146

  65. Meg Choyce

    posted on December 29th, 2010 at 10:00 am

    We have businesses in both Lancaster, PA and Virginia Beach, VA and have garbage bags full of caps to donate. Due to the quantity, we cannot mail them anywhere. Is there a drop-off point anywhere in either of these areas? Please advise. Thank you!!

  66. lee

    posted on January 6th, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    making an extra trip to recycle lids will waste more energy than throwing them away unless you save a ton of them first. most standard recyclers can handle the slight number mismatch.

  67. Tiffany Allen

    posted on January 9th, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    IF anyone has bottle caps to recycle please bring them to the Aveda store at South park Mall. We accept all hard plastic caps that twist. Flip tops also acceptted.

    AS A SPECIAL THANK YOU for taking part in helping the earth we will treat you to a moment of wellness ( neck and shoulder massage) and a FREE gift!

    Please contact us with any questions

    704-362-3023
    southpark.charlotte@aveda.com

    THANKS! and happy recycling!

  68. AnneMarie

    posted on January 13th, 2011 at 8:33 am

    I save all the amber-colored prescription bottles (remove labels) & save seeds in them, and one’s I’ve plucked at end of season for next year in the garden. Am wondering if a community garden could use my extras. I never tried it, but heard that little dishes with beer can rid garden of slugs, and caps seem a good way to do this.
    Soda flip tops can be used nicely for camp kids making necklaces.
    fyi:There is a website called DoSomething.com and it might help class or club start a green project.

    AnneMarie, Croton-on-Hudson, NY

  69. Dianne Shaw

    posted on February 10th, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    I collect soda and beer bottle caps-used and unused-cork and plastic lined. Please contact me if you have caps that you would like to sell. Thank You. Dianne

  70. marianna

    posted on February 24th, 2011 at 7:25 am

    is anyone still saving the bottle caps for the chemo-treatment? i live in nj and i have over a 100 caps who can i send it to?

  71. Pat Strader

    posted on February 24th, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    What is a URL?
    I used some bottle caps in the bottoms of my flower pots instead of rock, to provide drainage.

  72. dawn

    posted on March 7th, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    What to do with metal bottle caps?

  73. Paul

    posted on March 10th, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    My understanding is that the response to Aveda cap recycling has been so good that they have had to stop allowing drop-offs in their stores and now only collect through schools signed up to their cap recycling program. No more schools are being accepted as Aveda can only recycle plastic caps for the amount they need to make new caps for their products.

    You can collected your plastic caps in a box and once full mail it to Caps and Cups for recycling. They take any bottle caps no matter which plastic for their recycling program.
    http://www.capsncups.com

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