Egg Cartons (Plastic) Recycling Cart Cartons Are Plastic #1 Plastic egg cartons are made from Plastic #1 (PET). Find out how to dispose of Plastic #1. Ways to Reduce Choose Paper Instead Paper cartons, which biodegrade easily, are a more eco-friendly packaging choice than plastic. Plastic #1 can be recycled, but only for a limited number of times, and it does not biodegrade. Ways to Reuse Get Organized Use your empty egg cartons as organizers for garage items such as nuts, bolts and screws, or craft items such as buttons, threads, beads and pastels. Start Seedlings Poke holes in the bottom of each egg compartment so that they can drain, and use the container as a seed starter.