KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Plastics recycling in the Kansas City metro area has recently expanded to include items marked numbers 3-7.

While residents might see this as an improvement, confusion still exists about what types of plastics are now acceptable in local recycling programs.

The expansion includes most food and beverage containers and excludes most other types of plastics. The numbers 1-7 are the resin codes that appear in the chasing arrow symbol typically located on the bottom of a container. Previously, only plastic bottles numbers 1 and 2 were accepted.

This increase in recyclable plastics applies to all curbside programs, drop-off recycling centers and commercial recycling services offered by AbitibiBowater, Inc., Deffenbaugh Recycling and Town & Country Disposal.

Contact your recycling service to find out if it is accepting these additional types of plastics, or visit RecycleSpot.org to search by material.

Following is a detailed list of what is and is not accepted in the expanded plastics recycling program:
Acceptable (plastics #1-7):

#1 Bottles (soft drink, water, etc.), jars (peanut butter, mayonnaise, etc.), microwave food trays and food cartons (fruit, vegetable and takeout containers, etc.)

#2 Bottles (milk, detergent, etc.) and tubs (yogurt, margarine, etc.)

#3 Blister packs and clamshell packaging used to protect toys, electronics, personal care products and household goods, etc.

#4 Bottles (honey, mustard, etc.) and lids and caps

#5 Bottles (catsup, syrup, etc.), tubs (yogurt, margarine, etc.), lids and caps, microwave food trays, and takeout, food storage and deli containers

#6 Rigid polystyrene containers (non-foamed)

#7 Other bottles (citrus juice, catsup, etc.)

Not Acceptable

Any plastic item that does not have #1-7 printed on it

Styrofoam™, white or colored (takeout cartons, packing peanuts, egg cartons, plates, cups, bowls, blocks, sheets, etc.)

Plastic bags (grocery, dry cleaning, potato chip, food storage bags, etc.)

Disposable plates, cups, bowls, forks, knives, and spoons

Medical materials (prescription bottles, tubing, etc.)

Hazardous substance containers (automotive fluids, lawn and garden products, paint containers, etc.)

Building materials (PVC pipe, light fixtures, vinyl siding, etc.)

Sheet material (stretch wrap, cellophane, six-pack rings, bubble wrap, shower curtains, drop cloths, etc.)

Toys and outdoor play sets (jungle gyms, riding toys, etc.)

Plastic planting pots

Visit RecycleSpot.org or call (816) 474-TEAM (8326) to find locations that recycle plastics.

Information is available about local businesses and organizations that accept some of the plastic items not accepted in curbside services: 'B7 'B7Some plastic building materials are accepted for reuse at Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations. 'B7 Plastic shopping bags are accepted at a number of grocery and retail stores. 'B7 White Styrofoam™ blocks and peanuts are accepted at ACH Foam Technologies in Kansas City, Kan. (913) 321-4114. All items must be clean and placed in bags. 'B7 Toys and outdoor play sets in good condition are accepted at thrift stores. 'B7 Plastic planting pots are accepted at select area nurseries