Why can’t prescription or vitamin bottles be recycled?
Prescription and vitamin bottles go through a different manufacturing process and, as a result, do not have the same melting temperature as other plastic bottles. (You’ll notice they are much, much harder than other narrow-necked bottles.) They have a different consistency at the same melting temperature (sometimes thinking of "soup" versus "pudding" is helpful), making them incompatible in a re-manufacturing process. It's the same reason plastic bottle tops can't be recycled, no matter their number.

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1. What is single stream recycling?
2. What can I put in my blue recycling cart ?
3. I am elderly or disabled and can not transport a large cart. Can I get a smaller cart?
4. What are the advantages to single stream?
5. How do I know what plastic is recyclable?
6. Are plastic bags recyclable at the MRF?
7. Should I wash my recycling before placing it in the bin?
8. Can I recycle Styrofoam?
9. Why can’t prescription or vitamin bottles be recycled?
10. Can I recycle a motor oil bottle with a No. 2 on the bottom?
11. Do I need to step on my plastic containers before recycling?
12. Are black, No. 1 microwaveable containers recyclable?
13. Why can't I recycle plant pots?