Your inflatable pool float is not recyclable.

Your inflatable pool float is almost certainly not recyclable through your local curbside program, and finding a specialized recycler is a pain in the ass.

The problem is the material: most floats are made from PVC (vinyl). Technically, PVC can be recycled, but very few municipal recycling facilities accept it. It requires specialized processing, and the cost to collect, sort, and recycle it is higher than the material is worth. On top of that, floats have glued seams, air valves, and sometimes printed graphics — all of which complicate recycling.

So what do you do? The best option is reuse. Patch small holes with a vinyl repair kit. Pass it along to a neighbor. Use it as a pool toy for the dog. If it’s completely shredded, deflate it and toss it in the trash. You could also look for a PVC drop-off program — some cities have them, but they’re rare. Terracycle offers a Plastics Zero Waste Box that accepts PVC, but