Become a Part of the Recycling Solution
How2Recycle Labeling takes the confusion out of recycling your favorite P&G products so you can truly make an impact on our planet.
Everyone knows recycling is good for the planet, but knowing which items can be recycled can get confusing — there’s the question of what’s actually recyclable, and the guidelines are not the same everywhere.
That’s why P&G has launched How2Recycle labeling across many of our products, making it easier to recycle in a way that brings the most benefit to the planet.
How2Recycle is an industry-led standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions on each package. Use of the label is growing in popularity across foods, beverages and packaged goods.
The labels are or will soon be found on the packages for many P&G brands, including Tide, Pampers, Charmin, Herbal Essences, Oral-B and Tampax. Look for these labels to help eliminate the guesswork:
Together We Can Reduce Waste in the World
P&G has been actively supporting recycling of our packages for over 30 years and is committed to reducing plastic waste by making 100% of our packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030. But to truly reduce the amount of waste in our oceans and landfills, we all need to come together and be part of the solution. It’s simple: The more we properly recycle, the more recyclable material is available to be used again and again for new products and packaging.
“Circular economy” has become a popular way to talk about a system for eliminating waste and continuously recycling and re-using material. Plastic packages can have some of the highest recycling rates when each part of the circle is working well. You can make the biggest impact in the Make and Collect steps:
Make: Look for packages made from partial or 100% recycled material. Recycled plastic can be used to make many new products and packages.
Collect: Consult the How2Recycle label and collect the appropriate plastic packages, along with other recyclables, in your curbside bin, or drop them off at your local recycling center. Some types of plastic require that you check locally and follow guidelines for which types are or are not recycled in your area.
Recycle: The plastics you put in your recycling bin are picked up by your local service and then sorted by the type of material. By following local collection guidelines, you help streamline the sorting and recycling process.
Reclaim: Many companies buy the reclaimed plastics to create new products and packages, ensuring there is continuous demand for recycled material. For example, P&G has been buying recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) #2 plastic for over 30 years to make Tide bottles.
What You Can Recycle
The more you recycle correctly, the more impact you can make. The guide below reflects some of the most common recyclable items, but always refer to your local guidelines to determine what is and isn’t accepted in your area. Remember to put recyclables directly in the collection bin, not inside a plastic garbage bag.
WHAT TO RECYCLE
PAPER
Newspaper, cereal boxes, clean pizza boxes
GLASS
Bottles and jars (metal lids detached)
METAL CANS
Soup, beverage and aerosol cans (lids and tips removed)
PLASTIC
Bottles and jugs (top of container must be smaller than bottom)
CARTONS
Juice, soup and milk cartons (without caps and straws)
CARDBOARD
Broken down with packaging tape removed
What about Hard-to-Recycle Items?
Just because some items can’t go into your recycling bin doesn’t mean they can’t be recycled at all. Before throwing it away, try to find out where you can drop it off.
Batteries and light bulbs: Many big-box hardware stores have recycling bins for batteries and light bulbs where you can drop them off free of charge.
Plastic bags: Check your local grocery store for plastic bag recycling. Many have drop-off bins that take most plastic bags including dry cleaning bags, newspaper bags, bread bags and grocery bags.
Old appliances, TVs and electronics: Many communities host recycling events where residents can drop off these items. Your township or county can be a good resource for finding year-round recycling outlets near you.
By recycling correctly, you become an integral part of the recycling system and help build a more sustainable world for us all.
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