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