The more complex a recycling program is perceived to be, the greater the possibility of public confusion and consequent low participation. Many local government recovery programs rely on resin codes (e.g., #1, #2, #3) to tell its citizens what plastic materials are recyclable in its communities. However, most communities actually only recycle bottles, so they often experience high levels of contamination when residents try to recycle other plastics, such as yogurt tubs or plastic bags that have the same resin code, but that have less recyclability.

“All plastic bottle” programs simplify education and public understanding. Research by the American Plastics Council has shown, in most cases, that implementing an APB program will increase the number of PET and HDPE bottles, which have the most stable markets, collected by a community. In addition, if the markets are good, other materials (3-7s) can potentially be marketed for recycling. APB programs also reduce contamination by non-bottle plastic containers, which can increase costs and create processing inefficiencies. Furthermore, an APB policy ensures local government programs are complying with the new plastic bottle ban.

All Bottle Best Management Practices:

North Carolina:
	Watauga, N.C. - In order to make plastic recycling less confusing to residents, the Watauga County Solid Waste and Recycling Department converted to an “all plastic bottles” from an “all plastics #1 and #2” collection program, resulting in a 220 percent increase in plastic tonnage.  Orange County, N.C.- Orange County Solid Waste Management Department converted from a #1 and #2 plastic bottle collection program to an “all plastic bottles” collection program in 1999. The switch to all plastic bottles stemmed from both the community’s desire to switch as well as changes in the market that made it profitable to do so.
Nationwide:
	Greenville County, S.C. - This county offers curbside recycling for seven communities, comprising 50 percent of the county population, as well as seven staffed and 16 unstaffed recycling drop-off sites. It also has a brochure (PDF) about its all plastic bottle program. Windham County, Vt. - Windham offers "plastic bottles with a neck (all #s)" recycling. It offers curbside recycling in some communities, as well as drop-off sites - all of which are listed on its Web site. Dodge County, Minn. - This unique recycling program states "The following materials cannot be thrown in with the trash:…..[including] narrow neck plastic bottles." Check out the entire list, along with more details about its mostly-free curbside and drop-off recycling depots. Town of Amherst, N.Y. - Amherst accepts all "small mouth with threaded cap only" plastic bottles #1-7. You can see its brochure (PDF) for more details. Grand Prairie, Tex. - This city's recycling page has a wealth of useful information for  its community - including everything from information about curbside recycling at home, to setting up recycling at your business.  Its curbside program states "Any plastic bottle may be recycled." It also has a brochure that details what can be recycled in each room of your home!