What is the best practice for recycling kitchen plastics?

• A. Use plastics labeled for recycling; rinse before recycling; avoid heating plastics not labeled for heating
• B. Use any plastic container regardless of label
• C. Reuse plastic bags as trash liners only
• D. Freeze plastics to kill bacteria

Answer: (B)

When recycling kitchen plastics, the key is to use items that are actually accepted by your local recycling program and to prepare them so they can be recycled efficiently. Plastics come with labels that indicate whether they’re recyclable in your area, and following those labels helps prevent contamination of the recycling stream. After use, rinse containers to remove food residue so they don’t clog or degrade the recycling process. It’s also important not to heat plastics that aren’t labeled for heating or high-heat use, because heating can release harmful chemicals or warp the plastic, making it unrecyclable. In short, choose recyclable-labeled plastics, keep them clean, and avoid heating them unless the label says it’s safe.