I was just wondering if the hard plastic milk crates that pint cartons of milk, iced tea and such come in, can be recycled?

– JUGS’ trying to figure it out

Plastic containers come in a large variety of shapes and sizes, so it can be confusing, JUGS. That’s another perfect question for Where Can I Wednesday.

Can plastic milk or ice tea cartons be recycled?

To make the answer simple, yes. These cartons are most commonly made from high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is plastics #2. These plastic cartons are currently recyclable in Philaelphia’s single-stream recycling.

Unsure of what else can and cannot be recycled in Philadelphia? Download our recycling guide for free here.

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Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher