Why Sedona Recycles Is No Longer Accepting #5 Plastics
For more than 30 years, Sedona Recycles has worked to keep valuable materials out of the landfill and in the recycling stream. As Northern Arizona’s only full-scale nonprofit recycling center, we take that responsibility seriously. Every change we make is carefully considered, and this latest change is no exception.
As of June 1, 2026, Sedona Recycles is no longer accepting Polypropylene (#5) plastics or large mixed rigid plastic items.
We know this news may be disappointing. It is disappointing for us, too.
As a recycling organization, our mission has always been to recycle as much material as possible. Unfortunately, the reality of today’s recycling industry has forced us to take a hard look at which materials can be recycled responsibly and which cannot.
Why Are #5 Plastics No Longer Accepted?
For nearly two years, the market for #5 plastics has effectively disappeared. During that time, we continued accepting, sorting, processing, and shipping these materials despite receiving no revenue for them.
More importantly, our vendor has confirmed that the #5 plastics collected at our facility are exported to Southeast Asia. While we know where they are sent, we cannot verify what happens to them once they arrive.
Are they recycled? Incinerated? Disposed of in a landfill?
The truth is that we don’t know.
As an organization committed to environmental stewardship and transparency, we reached a point where we could no longer justify collecting a material whose final destination and outcome could not be verified.
We believe responsible recycling means more than simply moving materials somewhere else. It means having confidence that those materials are actually being recycled in a way that aligns with our values.
What Plastics Are Accepted Now?
The answer is simple:
The only plastics accepted at Sedona Recycles are bottles and jugs labeled #1 or #2.
That’s it.
If your plastic item is not a bottle or jug with a #1 or #2 stamped on it, it should be placed in the trash.
Common Items That Are Not Accepted
Please place the following items in your household garbage:
- Yogurt tubs
- Cottage cheese containers
- Margarine tubs
- Sour cream containers
- Plastic takeout containers
- Clamshell containers
- Frozen food trays
- Plastic cutlery
- Straws
- Protein powder containers
- Plastic buckets
- Plant pots
- Laundry baskets
- Lawn furniture
- Plastic bags and film
In short, if it is not a #1 or #2 bottle or jug, please do not place it in our recycling bins.
What Happens If #5 Plastics End Up in the Recycling Bins?
Beginning June 1, any #5 plastics that arrive at our facility will be removed from the recycling stream and placed in the trash.
That means these items will ultimately be landfilled anyway.
The difference is that when they are placed in our bins first, they must be handled by our staff, sorted out of the recycling stream, and disposed of at additional cost to our organization.
We are asking our recycling community to help us avoid that unnecessary labor, expense, and waste by placing these items directly into your household garbage.
What Can Recyclers Do?
The most impactful thing any of us can do is reduce our use of single-use plastics whenever possible.
Recycling is important, but reduction has always been the most effective environmental strategy.
When practical, consider:
- Choosing reusable food storage containers
- Bringing reusable shopping bags
- Selecting products with less plastic packaging
- Purchasing durable items that can be reused rather than discarded
These choices help reduce waste before it ever enters the recycling system.
Thank You
We understand that changes like this can be frustrating, especially for people who are making a genuine effort to recycle correctly.
Please know that this decision was not made lightly.
Our goal is to maintain a recycling program that is transparent, responsible, and environmentally meaningful. By focusing on materials that have reliable domestic markets and verifiable end uses, we can continue providing the community with a recycling system that makes a real difference.
Thank you for helping us keep contamination out of the bins and for supporting Sedona Recycles. If you ever have questions about accepted materials, our staff is always happy to help.
As always, a full list of accepted materials can be found on our Accepted Materials page.