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Can You Recycle Deodorant Containers? How to Do It the Right Way

by Jennifer Suter

Can You Recycle Deodorant Containers? Eco-Friendly & Plastic-Free Options Explained

Yes, but it depends on the type of container and what your local recycling program accepts. Deodorant packaging can be confusing because many containers are made from mixed materials. Below is a realistic, step-by-step guide to recycling deodorant containers properly—along with a clear explanation of what “eco-friendly” and “biodegradable” actually mean in real-world disposal.

Quick Answer: Some deodorant containers can be recycled, but many require disassembly. Always empty and wash containers, separate materials when possible, and follow your local recycling rules. If curbside recycling won’t accept them, consider glass packaging, refill options, or specialty mail-in programs.
plastic and paperboard deodorant containers side by side on a white background with green leaves, showing recyclable and plastic-free deodorant packaging options
Island Deodorant packaging at a glance

1. Check the Plastic Code

Look for a recycling symbol on the container, usually on the bottom. The number inside the triangle indicates the type of plastic. Some parts may be recyclable while others are not—especially when multiple plastics are combined.

Because recycling rules vary by location, always check your local waste management guidelines.

2. Disassemble the Container When Possible

Many deodorant containers are made from several materials. Separating those parts can significantly improve recycling outcomes.

  • Remove labels or sleeves if required
  • Separate caps from the main container
  • Remove twist mechanisms or inner platforms when possible

If a container can’t be disassembled, it may be treated as mixed-material packaging, which some facilities reject.

Helpful tip: If only one part shows a recycling symbol, your facility may require the container to be fully separated before accepting any portion of it.

3. Wash and Dry Before Recycling

Residue can cause recyclable items to be discarded during sorting.

  • Scrape out remaining product
  • Wash with warm water and dish soap
  • Allow to dry completely

4. Use a Specialty Program If Local Recycling Won’t Take It

If your curbside program won’t accept deodorant packaging, a mail-in option like TerraCycle may be available depending on your area.

Mail-in programs can be useful when collecting multiple hard-to-recycle household items.

5. Glass Deodorant Containers & Refill Options

Glass is one of the most recyclable packaging materials available. When clean and free of non-glass components, it’s widely accepted by municipal recycling programs.

Glass deodorant jars are typically recyclable once empty and washed. Any plastic lids or liners should be removed and disposed or recycled according to local guidelines.

Refill systems can further reduce waste by allowing the same glass jar to be reused multiple times.

If you’d like to see our glass jar deodorant and refill options, you can find them here: Glass Jar Cream Deodorant & Refills.

6. Paperboard - Plastic-Free Packaging Options

Paperboard deodorant tubes reduce plastic use, but disposal depends on local composting or recycling infrastructure.

Reality check: If a paperboard tube has a liner or becomes heavily saturated with wax/oils, some recycling programs won’t accept it. Composting (where available) is often the more realistic option—but acceptance still varies by city and facility.
  • Home compost: Results vary based on moisture, airflow, and container materials
  • Municipal compost: Accepted in some green-bin programs
  • Trash: Still breaks down faster than conventional plastic in most cases

Our paperboard options can be found here: Eco-Friendly Deodorant Options.

7. Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Plastic

Some deodorant containers use post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, meaning the material comes from previously used plastic that has been collected and reprocessed.

  • Reduces demand for virgin plastic
  • Keeps existing plastic in circulation longer
  • Supports recycling markets

PCR plastic can be a practical option in humid bathrooms, gym bags, or travel situations where paperboard may not perform as well.

You can view our deodorants packaged in PCR plastic here: Deodorant in PCR Plastic Containers.

8. What “Eco-Friendly” and “Biodegradable” Actually Mean

Terms like eco-friendly deodorant containers and biodegradable packaging are not regulated and can be used in many different ways.

  • “Eco-friendly” may refer to recycled content, renewable materials, or reduced plastic use
  • “Biodegradable” depends heavily on environmental conditions, so you'll need to verify with the manufacturer exactly what it means for their product
  • Some materials only break down in industrial composting facilities
Bottom line: The most eco-friendly deodorant container is usually the one you can realistically recycle, reuse, or compost where you live.

9. Can You Recycle Roll-On Deodorant Containers?

Roll-on deodorant containers are especially challenging to recycle because they’re made from multiple tightly fitted materials.

Most roll-ons include:

  • A glass or plastic bottle
  • A plastic roller ball
  • A plastic housing snapped into the bottle

While a glass bottle may be recyclable in theory, the roller assembly is often difficult to remove. As a result, many facilities reject roll-ons entirely.

Why roll-ons are often rejected:
  • Roller assemblies are hard to separate
  • Small plastic parts can jam sorting equipment
  • Facilities often reject mixed-material items that arrive assembled

If you can fully remove the roller ball and housing, your local program may accept the glass bottle on its own—but this varies widely.

FAQs

Can you recycle deodorant containers with multiple types of plastic?

Sometimes. Disassembly improves the chances, but acceptance depends on local recycling rules.

Is deodorant recyclable?

The product itself isn’t recyclable, but parts of the container often are.

Are paperboard deodorant tubes recyclable?

Usually not in curbside recycling once they’ve been used. Even if paperboard is recyclable in general, a deodorant tube may be treated as food/grease-style contamination once it’s saturated with waxes and oils, or if it includes a liner. If your area offers composting, that’s often the more realistic disposal path—but rules still vary locally.

Are Island Deodorant containers recyclable?

In many areas, yes—once empty and clean—but acceptance depends on container type and local guidelines.

More Eco-Friendly Resources

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