How to Recycle Your Simple Green Bottles: A Guide to Greener Cleaning

At Simple Green, we believe that safer cleaning shouldn't stop at what's inside the bottle - it should extend to what happens after the bottle is empty. As a brand committed to protecting people, pets, and the planet, we're just as passionate about sustainability as we are about powerful, effective cleaning. That's why we encourage all our customers to recycle their Simple Green bottles. Here's how to do it, and why it matters.

Why Recycling Matters

Every plastic bottle recycled is one less bottle that winds up in a landfill or in the ocean. In fact, according to the EPA, recycling one ton of plastic can save up to 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space. Recycling also conserves energy and resources, reduces pollution, and cuts down on the demand for new plastic production, which is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of our mission to create a safer world, we design our packaging with recyclability in mind. Most Simple Green bottles are made from HDPE (#2) or PET (#1)—two of the most widely accepted plastics in curbside recycling programs across the U.S.

How to Recycle Your Simple Green Bottles

Here's a step-by-step guide to properly recycle or reuse your Simple Green containers.

Check the Plastic Type

Not sure what type of plastic your bottle is made from? Look for the recycling symbol (usually a triangle with a number inside) on the bottom or side of the container. Here's a quick breakdown:

#1 (PET) – Lightweight, clear plastic, often used for beverage bottles.

#2 (HDPE) – Sturdy, opaque plastic, commonly used for cleaning products.

These two types of plastic are recyclable almost everywhere, and they're what we use for all our Simple Green bottles.

Learn more about plastic symbols and types here

Reuse Before You Recycle

Before tossing that spray bottle in the trash, consider reusing it.

Dilution bottles: Save your trigger spray bottles to mix diluted solutions from our larger refill containers.

Backups: Keep a few trigger bottles on hand as backups in case a spray head breaks or needs replacing. You can swap out the broken trigger with your back up bottle.

Just make sure any bottle you plan to reuse is rinsed and labeled clearly for its new purpose.

Prep for Recycling

Here's how to be sure your bottle is ready for the blue recycling bin:

1. Empty it completely.
2. Triple rinse if the label recommends it (especially for disinfectants).
3. Remove the cap liner to find the recycling number. Some caps can be recycled, others can't. Check your local recycling guidelines.
4. Trigger spray heads are mixed materials and generally not recyclable. Toss them in the trash or keep one as a backup.

Can I Recycle Larger Containers?

Up to 140 fl oz: These are usually recyclable curbside. Check with your local city recycling service to be sure.

Over 140 fl oz (but under 55 gallons): Some areas will also accept these for recycling. Call your local municipal waste service to be sure.

55-gallon drums and 275-gallon totes: These can often be reused in industrial settings. When no longer in use, you can usually drop them off at your local waste disposal facility or arrange a pickup with a local recycler.

Every Bottle Counts

When you recycle, you're helping reduce waste, conserve resources, and support a more sustainable future. At Simple Green, we're proud to offer products that clean your world, without harsh chemicals. By taking just a few extra steps to recycle your bottles the right way, you become a part of our mission to protect the environment.

Thank you for being a Simple Green customer. Together, we're making a safer, greener world—one bottle at a time.