Plastic #5 (Polypropylene) Alternative ways to recycle Garbage Bin 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. Alternative Ways to Recycle Preserve® Gimme 5 Program Send your plastic #5 containers to the Preserve® Gimme 5 Recycling Program, which accepts plastic #5 at various drop box locations as well as by mail. See a list of the products they accept here. Did You Know? What Plastic #5 Can Become Plastic #5 can be recycled into battery cables and cases, brooms, brushes, bicycle racks and ice scrapers.