Preparing containers for recycling does not require significant time or effort, and actually saves money by making efficient use of expensive product materials.

• Rinse containers until no residue remains. Best to do when mixing and loading material.
• Drain so that they dry inside and out, and leave no apparent odor.

• Remove slip-on labels and label booklets. Glued on labels may remain on container.
• Remove hard plastic lids and discard.
• Remove most of the foil seal. A small amount is acceptable.
• Remove lids and metal bails from five gallon buckets. Lids from buckets are accepted if metal ring and rubber gasket are removed. Five gallon containers and smaller are accepted whole.
• Do not put plastic lids back on empty containers. This inhibits our ability to perform required container inspections.
• Plastic drums are required to be rinsed so they are decontaminated as well. Remove bungs (lids) and store upside down so they will drain out completely. Once this is accomplished, the drums can be accepted whole for recycling, they do not need to be cut into pieces as was required a few years ago.

Acceptable

NOT Acceptable

Thread and lip are clean

Dried formulation on thread and lip

Stained but acceptable

Stained and unacceptable

Inside of container is dry

Liquid is present inside container

Inside of bottom is rinsed clean

Bottom is caked with formulation