Yes, Rubbermaid food containers are recyclable in many areas when marked #5 polypropylene and emptied, clean, and dry.
Here’s the straight take: a large share of everyday Rubbermaid tubs and bases are made from polypropylene (#5). Many curbside programs accept #5 “plastic tubs” when they’re empty, clean, and dry. Some premium-clear pieces like Brilliance plastic use a tough copolyester that often falls under #7 “other,” which many programs don’t take. Brilliance glass bases follow glass rules. Local acceptance still calls the shots, so the right move is to match each item to your area’s list before it goes in the bin.
Quick Material Snapshot By Product Line
This at-a-glance table shows common Rubbermaid lines, the usual material, and how curbside programs tend to treat them. Always check your city’s list before you set anything out.
| Line/Item | Main Material | Typical Curbside Status |
|---|---|---|
| EasyFindLids Bases | Polypropylene (#5) | Often accepted; check local list |
| EasyFindLids Lids | Polypropylene (#5) | Often accepted if clean |
| TakeAlongs Bases | Polypropylene (#5) | Often accepted; light, rinse well |
| Brilliance Plastic Bases | Copolyester (often #7) | Frequently not accepted |
| Brilliance Glass Bases | Glass | Accepted with glass containers |
| Brilliance/Other Lids | Polypropylene or similar | Sometimes accepted; confirm locally |
| Commercial Bins/Accessories | HDPE/PP | Not food containers; program-specific |
Are Rubbermaid Food Containers Recyclable? The Nuance
Many readers ask, “are rubbermaid food containers recyclable?” In many towns, the answer is yes for sturdy #5 tubs. City and county pages often list “plastic tubs” or “#5 containers” as acceptable if they’re clean and dry. Some regions also run bulky rigid plastic drop-offs for large PP items. Programs differ across the map, so a quick check of your local page beats guesswork and keeps contamination out of the stream.
Why #5 Polypropylene Often Gets In
Polypropylene tubs are rigid and sort well on modern lines. Material recovery facilities see PP tubs in steady volume, which helps downstream buyers turn those bales into new goods. Many core Rubbermaid lines—like EasyFindLids and TakeAlongs—use PP for the base, and plenty of lids are PP too. When the resin code “5” is visible and the item is clean and dry, acceptance odds go up in programs that list #5 tubs.
Where #7 “Other” Hits A Wall
Brilliance plastic uses a crystal-clear copolyester that resists stains and odors, but many municipal lists group that resin under #7 “other.” That catchall covers many different plastics, which makes bale quality tough to guarantee. Lots of curbside programs skip #7 items even if the plastic itself performs well in the kitchen. If your set includes Brilliance plastic bases, look up your local acceptance before you send them to the cart.
Recycling Rubbermaid Food Containers With Local Rules
Local rules decide the yes/no. The EPA’s recycling page makes two points that matter here: acceptance depends on the resin and your program, and any container with food residue can derail the process. A quick look at your hauler’s search tool or PDF list beats tossing unknowns into the cart.
Simple Prep That Boosts Acceptance
Recycling works when items arrive in sellable shape. Food residue ruins loads and can send an entire batch to landfill. A short rinse is all it takes to protect the stream and keep your cart productive.
Fast Rinse Routine
- Empty all scraps into trash or compost first.
- Rinse with cool water; scrape sticky spots with a spatula.
- Air-dry so paper and metal in the cart don’t get soggy.
- Nest bases together; stack lids together.
What “Check Locally” Means On A Label
Some items carry a “check locally” message. That signal means acceptance is inconsistent. Copolyesters and certain lid styles land in that gray zone. If your town lists “tubs only,” send flexible, thin parts to trash and keep the rigid #5 bases if they’re listed.
What The Brand And Programs Say
Rubbermaid’s product pages often call out materials by line. TakeAlongs and many EasyFindLids items reference polypropylene for the bases, and many lids are PP as well. Brilliance highlights a clear, stain-resistant copolyester for the plastic versions and tempered glass for the glass line. Cities and counties publish #5 guidance on their sites; many say “plastic #5 containers—OK if clean and dry.” Some communities also run bulky rigid plastic drop-offs for larger PP pieces like totes and buckets.
Rubbermaid previously sponsored a mail-in option for worn food containers through TerraCycle. That free brand-sponsored program ended on December 31, 2023. TerraCycle now points households to paid Zero Waste Boxes that accept kitchen plastics and mixed materials from any brand. If curbside doesn’t take a resin mix in your drawer, pooling a box with neighbors or an office can be a practical route. See the notice on the TerraCycle program page.
How To Tell What You Have
Flip the piece and read the triangle. Most classic food tubs and many lids show a “5.” Brilliance plastic may show a “7.” Glass bases recycle with bottles and jars; paper sleeves go with paper. If a part is unmarked, assume it’s not accepted at curbside unless your program lists it by name.
Labels, Colors, And Condition
Clear, rigid tubs with a visible “5” are a strong bet when #5 tubs appear on your list. Heavily stained, warped, or cracked pieces cause trouble on sorting lines. If a piece looks tired, give it one last round as non-food storage—hardware, craft parts, drawer dividers—then follow the end-of-life steps below.
Recycling Rubbermaid Food Containers With Local Limits
Now and then the answer is no. If your city bans #5 tubs, or asks for “bottles and jugs only,” keep PP tubs out of the cart. Some drop-off centers still take #5 tubs even when curbside does not. Others run seasonal events for bulky rigid plastics. A quick search on your town name plus “#5 plastic tubs” usually turns up the exact line you need.
Common Mistakes That Trigger Rejection
- Food residue: Greasy or saucy items can spoil good bales.
- Mixed parts left together: Separate plastic lids from glass bases; remove gaskets if listed as trash.
- Wrong resin in the cart: Tossing #7 where it’s not allowed adds to contamination.
- Wet items: Water weakens paper and reduces bale value.
Lids, Gaskets, And Clips
Many lids are PP and follow the same #5 rule as the base. Some lines use extra parts like vent flaps or seals. If your page lists “tubs and lids—OK,” you’re set once they’re clean and dry. If it lists “tubs only,” keep lids out. Silicone or foam gaskets usually belong in trash unless your hauler says otherwise.
Best End-Of-Life Options By Container Type
Use this simple matrix to route each piece to the right destination with minimal fuss. It’s built around how many programs write their lists today.
| Container Type | Do This | Why |
|---|---|---|
| PP #5 Bases | Rinse, dry; curbside where #5 tubs are listed | Commonly accepted; valuable rigid plastic |
| PP #5 Lids | Rinse; curbside only if your list includes lids | Lid rules vary by city |
| Brilliance Plastic | Check local list; if “no,” use a shared Zero Waste Box | #7 items face limited acceptance |
| Brilliance Glass | Rinse; recycle with bottles/jars | Glass is widely accepted |
| Stained Or Cracked PP | Repurpose once; then recycle if your list allows | Condition can affect sorting |
| Mixed Sets | Separate base and lid; recycle eligible parts | Single-resin sorting improves bales |
| Unmarked Plastic | Skip curbside; ask your hauler | Unknown items contaminate loads |
Step-By-Step: Check Your Local Rules In Two Minutes
- Search the web for your city or county name plus “recycling guide.”
- Open the official page from your hauler or local government.
- Look for “plastics,” “containers,” or a line that says “tubs.”
- Confirm #5 tubs and lids status; note any exceptions.
- Look for drop-off sites if curbside skips #5 or #7 items.
- Bookmark the page and check once a year for updates.
Proof Points In Plain English
The EPA’s recycling page states that acceptance depends on the plastic type and your local program, and that items with food debris cannot be recycled. That guidance is the baseline for whether a Rubbermaid tub can ride in your cart.
Rubbermaid product pages list materials by line. TakeAlongs and EasyFindLids often specify polypropylene for bases, while Brilliance plastic calls out a clear copolyester and the glass line uses tempered glass. City guides frequently list “plastic #5 containers—OK if clean and dry,” and many run drop-offs for bulky rigid plastics such as PP totes.
Rubbermaid’s brand-sponsored mail-in program with TerraCycle ended on December 31, 2023; TerraCycle now offers paid Zero Waste Boxes for kitchen plastics. See details on the TerraCycle program page.
Reuse Ideas That Stretch Value
Before you recycle, squeeze more life from each container. Small PP tubs make tidy homes for spice mixes, drawer odds-and-ends, craft beads, game parts, and workshop screws. Medium tubs corral snack packs, charging cables, and pet treats. Large ones hold freezer meal kits, pantry refills, or cleaning cloths. When a piece finally cracks or warps, move it along using the tables above.
Your Bottom Line
Are Rubbermaid food containers recyclable? Often, yes. PP #5 tubs and many PP lids go in the cart when your local page lists them and they’re clean and dry. Brilliance plastic sits in a gray zone under #7, so check acceptance first. Glass bases follow glass rules. If curbside won’t take a batch, reuse them one more round or pool a paid Zero Waste Box with neighbors or your office.