How to Recycle 1 Kilo of Plastic

Contact a nearby recycling center to ask what types of plastics can be recycled. Check the yellow pages or an online recycling-center directory. Ask what types of plastic they accept and if they offer any sort of payment in return for the recycled goods.

Look for the recycling code on the bottom of the plastic items. A number 1 through 7 should be clearly printed in the center of the triangular recycling logo. If you cannot find the code, contact the recycling center for assistance.

Sort the plastic items into separate containers, based on the recycling codes. For example, items with the number 2 must be separated from those with the number 1. Large 55-gallon garbage bins -- available at home improvement stores -- work well for bulk recycling as they can hold large amounts of plastic and be used over and over, but are still small enough to fit in many vehicles. For thin, pliable items, such as plastic shopping bags, large plastic garbage bags work as a suitable holding vessel.

Bring the containers to the recycling center. Depending on the recycling center, an employee may take the plastic items from you, or you may simply have to dump the plastic in marked recycling bins.