Baby Food Pouches
- DON’T put pouches or caps in curbside recycling
- DO consider dropping off or mailing in the caps to a dedicated recycling program (see below)
- DO consider if reusable pouches would work for your family
- DO consider other alternative channels for recycling the pouches (see below)
About These Items
Commonly available as portable, shelf-stable food options for young children, these pouches, while convenient, are unfortunately not recyclable at all through the city’s curbside recycling program. They also can not be dropped off at common bag drop-off locations. Their hard caps can be recycled through a mail-in program called Gimme 5 (see below). The pouches themselves can be sent in to TerraCycle for a fee.
Re-usable pouches are available, which may make sense if you make your own baby food or use the pouches primarily for foods like applesauce, which are available in larger containers like glass jars (which are relatively easily recycled.)
Drop-off or mail-in the caps.
Although the pouches aren’t recyclable locally, there are a couple of options for the caps:
Drop-off at Reimagined Recycling
Reimagined Recycling is a local program that collects rigid #2 and #5 plastics to be shredded and turned into raw materials to be made into new plastic items.
They run collections on select Sundays at 1225 Larimer Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Currently collection events are announced on their Instagram @reimaginedrecyling or on their facebook page. Please check these links for exact dates and times of collection events.
Items must be cleaned with all labels removed. Please remember to wear a mask and follow Reimagined Recycling on for updates and more exciting news to come!
Drop-off at Michael Brothers Hauling
Michael Brothers Hauling is collecting ALL #1 and #2 plastics (including clamshells, cups, etc) at their location at 901 Horning Rd. 15236. They also accept (and even pay for) scrap metal. Their drop-off is a drive through.
Mail to Preserve’s Gimme 5 program with other rigid #5 plastics.
Preserve runs a collection program called Gimme 5 that accepts #5 plastics, all plastic caps, prescription bottles, toothbrushes, and dip & dairy containers.
Please note that as of June 29, 2022, Preserver has still paused their Gimme 5 mail in program due to logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that their Preserve Toothbrush Takeback program IS running during this time.
You can mail in your #5 plastics to the Gimme 5 program. (To make this mail-in recycling program as environmentally-friendly as possible, Preserve encourages you to reuse a box and pack it densely, and if possible, ship by ground.)
Mail to:
Preserve Gimme 5
823 State Route 13
Cortland, NY 13045-6574
TerraCycle has a mail-in program for these pouches.
TerraCycle provides a Baby Food Zero Waste Program which take these pouches (and their lids.) Their programs typically involve purchasing a shipping box for your item, which you then fill and mail back (shipping included).
Some local organizations such as schools, churches or businesses participate in TerraCycle’s program by providing drop-off location for specific items. Considering asking your community organization to create a drop-off program with TerraCycle or another mail-in program.
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