Hard Plastic Clamshell Packaging

Trash Container

Non-food or colored packaging clamshells are trash.  Only clear, #1 plastic food-grade clamshells are recyclable.  

Clamshells that are not accepted for recycling and are trash: 
  • Colors (especially black):  Colors have limited commodity value given the color cannot be removed.
  • Compostable clamshells: NEVER place bioplastics, even those marked as PLA (polyactic acid), in the recycling or green cart. This is a trash item in Burbank due to the challenges they currently pose at recycling and in composting facilities, they don’t break down fast enough. Find out more about bioplastics.
  • Non #1 PET:  Such as electronic trays, or #6 PS (a plastic form of polystyrene) are trash, no matter what color.

Do Not Recycle

Even though hard plastic clamshells are typically made from plastic #1, they are difficult to recycle because they are made through a different process. When combined, they contaminate the recycling and reduce its quality. Be sure to toss them in the garbage.

Ways to Reduce

Avoid Purchasing Non-Recyclables

Hard clamshell plastic cannot be recycled, so try to buy from brands that avoid this type of packaging.

Reusable Packaging For Businesses

Check out Upstream’s catalog of reusable packaging and unpackaging innovators that provide ways for consumers to obtain products, mostly food and beverages, in returnable, reusable, or refillable packaging – or they deliver products to consumers unpackaged altogether.

Did You Know?

There’s a Name for Your Packaging-Induced Frustration

You know that aggravated and annoyed feeling you get from trying to open clamshell packaging? This feeling is called “wrap rage“, and it comes up again and again for people injured by this packaging. Each year, about 6,000 people visit the emergency room with injuries and puncture wounds caused by hard plastic clamshells.

Retailers are Trying to Do Away With Clamshells

Good news: many retailers are working on eco-friendly and pain-free solutions to plastic clamshell packaging. Home Depot has begun packaging its Husky tools in paperboard, while Target has eliminated plastic packaging from some lightbulbs and socks. Amazon even kicked off a “frustration-free packaging” initiative in 2008 that was aimed at developing more eco-friendly practices.