Animal Recovery Collars and Cones Put in Garbage Cart Most Cones Go in the Garbage If your cone is made from fabric, mixed materials, or an unlabeled plastic type, toss it in the trash. If your cone is labeled, look up plastic by the number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 for disposal instructions. Ways to Reduce Make Your Own Cone Instead of buying a brand new cone, you can make your own using whatever you have on hand, from cardboard to a spare towel, an old bucket, plastic tub or nursery container, or even a pool noodle will do. Find directions at k9ofmine.com. Borrow or Buy Gently Used Most cones are barely used by an animal before the owner is ready to toss it. Instead of buying a brand new cone, consider borrowing or buying a gently-used cone. Ways to Reuse Donate Unwanted Cones If you have a cone that you no longer need, consider donating it to a nearby pet shelter or selling it to someone who needs it. Keep Cones for Future Use If your pet ends up with a cone from a vet visit, consider saving it for future use. Most plastic cones can be disassembled and stored flat.