Tape & Tape Dispensers Trash Broken tape dispensers and any type of used tape including masking, duct, packing, etc., should be placed in the trash. Consider DonationIf the item is still usable, please donate. Visit Athens’ Material Reuse page for ideas. Recycle Paperboard Packaging The paperboard packaging from tape dispensers and refill tape rolls can be recycled. Ways to Reduce Buy a Reusable Tape Dispenser Skip the disposable tape dispensers and purchase a reusable dispenser that uses tape refill rolls. That way you’ll create less waste with every roll of tape. Did You Know? Why Plastic Tape Dispensers Are So Hard to Recycle Currently, plastic tape dispensers like that ones that come with Scotch tape aren’t recyclable, even though the plastic they’re made of is. This is because recycling facilities aren’t equipped to sort out the tape dispensers due to the small volume and small size of the dispensers.