Napa Tightens Recycling Rules Bottle Caps On Lids in Trash

Have you ever wondered what to do with plastic bottle caps after finishing your drink? Napa's updated recycling guidelines now provide a clear answer: rigid plastic caps can only be recycled when firmly reattached to their original bottles or containers.

This policy change aims to improve recycling efficiency and quality. Due to their small size, loose plastic caps—including beverage cup lids—frequently get lost during sorting processes, making them difficult to properly identify and process. These stray caps often end up in landfills, creating unnecessary waste and environmental strain.

To ensure your plastic waste gets processed correctly, Napa's environmental department recommends these simple steps:

• Reattach caps: Securely screw rigid plastic caps back onto empty bottles before recycling.
• Dispose other lids: Beverage cup lids and similar plastic covers should go directly in the trash.
• When in doubt: If you're uncertain whether a plastic lid qualifies as rigid plastic, dispose of it rather than risk contaminating the recycling stream.

The city encourages residents to adopt these practices, emphasizing that proper recycling habits can significantly reduce landfill waste while conserving resources. This small behavioral adjustment—taking a moment to replace bottle caps—contributes to larger environmental benefits for current and future generations.