Plastic #5 (Polypropylene) Curbside Trash Curbside Recycling Depending on the city you live in, please reference the requirement below: For El Cerrito, any plastics #5 may be placed in the curbside recycling program. For the other cities (that includes Richmond, San Pablo, Hercules, Pinole and unincorprated West Contra Costa County), you may place this type of material in your curbside trash. Avoid Heating Plastic Keep plastics containing food or drink out of the microwave, dishwasher and other hot places, like your car. The warmer plastic gets, the more it tends to break down, melt and release chemicals. Did You Know? What Items Are Made From Plastic #5? Plastic #5 is used to make items including yogurt cups and tubs, margarine tubs, syrup bottles, plastic bottle caps, straws, food storage containers, sunglasses, plastic furniture, and car parts such as bumpers and trim. What Plastic #5 Can Become Plastic #5 can be recycled into battery cables and cases, brooms, brushes, bicycle racks and ice scrapers.