What do the recycling numbers on plastic containers mean?
The recycling numbers range from 1 to 7 and stand for different types of plastic. “It’s not uncommon to see a recycling symbol on a plastic container and think it’s OK to toss it into the recycling bin,” says Sheryl Ryan, founder of Greenopedia.
What do the numbers inside a recycling triangle mean?
But what do the numbers inside the triangle mean? The recycling numbers range from 1 to 7 and stand for different types of plastic. “It’s not uncommon to see a recycling symbol on a plastic container and think it’s OK to toss it into the recycling bin,” says Sheryl Ryan, founder of Greenopedia.
What do the numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles mean?
We all know that the triangle symbol ( ♻) on the bottom of plastic bottles means to recycle. But what do the numbers inside the triangle mean? The recycling numbers range from 1 to 7 and stand for different types of plastic.
What are the different types of recycling symbols?
The Recycling Symbols Plastic #1 – PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Plastic #2 – HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) Plastic #3 – V or PVC (Vinyl) Plastic #4 – LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) Plastic #5 – PP (Polypropylene) Plastic #6 – PS (Polystyrene) Plastic #7 – Other, Miscellaneous
How do you read a recycling code?
How to know what plastics can be recycled Plastic Recycling Symbol #1: PET or PETE. ... Plastic Recycling Symbol #2: HDPE. ... Plastic Recycling Symbol #3: PVC or V. ... Plastic Recycling Symbol #4: LDPE. ... Plastic Recycling Symbols #5: PP. ... Plastic Recycling Symbol #6: PS. ... Plastic Recycling Symbol #7: Miscellaneous.
What the different recycling symbols and numbers mean?
Number 1 - PETE - Poly(ethylene terephthalate): Soda bottles, water bottles, cooking oil bottles, and medicine containers. Number 2 - HDPE - High-density Polyethylene: Containers for: laundry/dish detergent, milk, shampoo, conditioner, also various toys, and grocery bags. Number 3 - V - Poly(vinyl chloride):
What are #1 through #7 plastics?
To summarize, there are 7 types of plastic exist in our current modern days:1 – Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE or Polyester) ... 2 – High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) ... 3 – Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) ... 4 – Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) ... 5 – Polypropylene (PP) ... 6 – Polystyrene (PS) ... 7 – Other.
What does the recycle numbers mean?
The number is a resin identification code that tells you what kind of plastic that material is made of. Plastics that have #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics. Plastics #3 , #4, #5, #6 and #7 are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected in local recycling programs.
What plastic Cannot be recycled?
Examples of non-recyclable plastics include bioplastics, composite plastic, plastic-coated wrapping paper and polycarbonate. Well known non-recyclable plastics include cling film and blister packaging.
Should I take lids off plastic bottles before recycling or leave them on?
When recycling, we suggest you empty your bottles and put the caps back on the bottles. Note, however, your recycling center may ask that caps be off.
Does #7 plastic get recycled?
Vegetable-based plastics such as PLA are often labeled as plastic #7, but they are not recyclable.
Can plastic 5 be recycled?
5: PP (Polypropylene) It's also made into straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps. PP products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.
Can you recycle Styrofoam?
Styrofoam can be recycled, and there are many ways to recycle styrofoam. One way to recycle styrofoam is to use it to make new products. Styrofoam can be used to make new products such as pens, picture frames and egg cartons.
Which plastic numbers are safe?
To make a long story short: plastic recycling numbers 2, 4 and 5 are the safest. Whereas plastic numbers 1, 3, 6 and 7 must be avoided. But it does not indicate that you can fearlessly use safer plastic. All plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged.
Can number 1 plastic be reused?
Health advocates advise against reusing bottles made from plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE), including most disposable water, soda, and juice bottles. Such bottles may be safe for one-time use but reuse should be avoided.
What do the symbols on the bottom of plastic containers mean?
Most people know the little triangle symbol at the bottom of plastic bottles means 'recycle' but what they don't know is just because it has a triangle on the bottom, doesn't always mean it can be recycled. The numbers indicate the grade of plastic and can also tell you about the safety and uses of that item.
What do all the recycling symbols mean?
1 - PET, used for drinks bottles and some food packaging: Widely recycled. 2 - HDPE, used for cleaning product bottles, milk cartons, etc: Widely recycled. 3 - PVC, used for car parts, window fittings, etc: Not easily recyclable. 4 - LDPE, used for plastic bags and wrapping, etc: Recycle at specialist points.
Can plastic 5 be recycled?
5: PP (Polypropylene) It's also made into straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps. PP products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.
Is number 4 plastic safe?
To summarize, plastics in categories #2, #4 and #5 are generally considered safe. Be weary of putting them in the microwave, even if they are labeled “microwave-safe”. Plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 should be used with varying to extreme caution, especially around food or drink.
Can you recycle 5 plastic in California?
Plastic #5 can be recycled into battery cables and cases, brooms, brushes, bicycle racks and ice scrapers.
What are the rules for recycling plastic?
So what does all of that mean for you? A few things: 1 Types 1 and 2 plastics may be tossed into standard recycling bins. 2 Other plastic types may not be permitted in your bin, depending on your municipality’s guidelines. 3 Hard-to-recycle plastics – including Styrofoam, shrink wrap and manufacturing scrap – require specialized handling.
What is the resin code on a plastic?
A product made of plastic is often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The presence of a resin code doesn’t necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It’s the number inside the triangle that counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
What is plastic wrapping made of?
A lot of plastic wrappings are made of LDPE plastic. It’s also used to make grocery bags and the bags that hold newspapers, sliced bread loaves and fresh produce, among other things.
What is the most complicated material to recycle?
At Miller Recycling, plastic is one of the materials we receive and process. It’s also the most complicated material to recycle, in part because consumers don’t know what types can be disposed of and in which ways. A product made of plastic is often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made ...
Is plastic recycling confusing?
We know that plastics recycling can be confusing. We can provide guidance and solutions to all your plastics needs. As always, contact us with questions.
Does Miller recycle plastic?
Trust your plastics recycling questions to Miller Recycling. Our team can help your business establish an efficient and cost-effective system for recycling plastics, and we pay competitively for large quantities of plastics including hard-to-recycle varieties.
Can you dispose of soda bottles in Massachusetts?
Recycling these containers isn’t just an option: it’s the law.
What do the recycling numbers mean?
No one’s born knowing what recycling numbers mean. If you want to leave a more eco-friendly lifestyle, it takes a bit of effort to figure out the best recommendations for recycling at home. After reading through the basics, one of the most helpful things you can do is check in with your city—different locations will have waste management recycling rules.
How much plastic has never been recycled?
And although many plastics can be recycled, National Geographic reports that 91 percent of plastic has never been recycled. The universal recycling symbol features three arrows that form a triangle, but it’s the plastic’s number that makes a difference as to whether or not the item can head to your recycle bin.
How to recycle plastic bottles?
How to recycle plastic bottles: Keep America Beautiful recommends using curbside, school, work, or public space recycling bins. Also, some states have a deposit refund when you return containers to the store where you bought them.
What is the most common plastic for single use bottles?
Also known as polyethylene terephthalate, this is by far the most common plastic for single-use bottles (think: salad dressing bottles, water bottles, and more). Why? This plastic is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle. Most curbside recycling programs pick it up, so long as containers have been emptied and rinsed out.
How to recycle old cell phones?
How to recycle old cell phones: For old cell phones, check with your service provider, which might have a buy-back program in place. You can also visit AmericanCellPhoneDrive.org, which collects used phones to refurbish and sell them.
How to recycle a TV?
How to recycle TV: The same policy applies to TVs—you may need to wait for a citywide electronics collection to get rid of it. In the meantime, you can also look for donation opportunities, sell it online, or give it away to someone who can benefit.
What is PS in recycling?
PS (polystyrene) is also known as styrofoam. Since this material is roughly 98 percent air, most recycling programs don’t accept it in foam form, but items like egg cartons, disposable plates, and carry-out containers may be allowed in your bins—again, check with your local waste management office!
What is the recycling symbol on plastic?
Recyclable plastic usually comes with a little recycling symbol printed on the bottom and depending on the product, there might be a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 stamped in the center of the symbol. It’s easy to miss, but this tiny digit is actually pretty important, because it’s an ID.
Why do recycling plants use the number 1-7?
Recyclable plastics are labeled with numbers 1-7 to tell workers what kind of plastic it is, and how it should be processed. But it also helps recycling collectors determine what items they can accept — and which ones go in the trash.
Why are resin codes important?
These numbers are valuable consumer information, because they spell out the likelihood of your recycling ending up in a landfill. So brush up on your resin codes below, and adjust your recycling habits accordingly:
What is the recycling symbol on plastic?
Every plastic container or bottle has a recycling symbol. The symbol is a number, ranging from 1 to 7, within a triangle .
What is plastic #1 used for?
Picked up by most curbside recycling programs, plastic #1 is usually clear and used to make soda and water bottles. Some consider it safe, but this plastic is known to allow bacteria to accumulate. It’s found mostly in soda bottles, water bottles, beer bottles, salad dressing containers, mouthwash bottles, and peanut butter containers.
What is plastic 3?
Plastic #3 – V or PVC (Vinyl) Plastic #3 is used to make food wrap, plumbing pipes, and detergent bottles, and is seldom accepted by curbside recycling programs. These plastics used to, and still may, contain phthalates, which are linked to numerous health issues ranging from developmental problems to miscarriages.
What is a sandbox recycled into?
It is recycled into plastic lumber and other custom-made products.
What is the number 7 plastic?
Plastic #7 – Other, Miscellaneous. All of the plastic resins that don’t fit into the other categories are placed in the number 7 category. It’s a mix bag of plastics that includes polycarbonate, which contains the toxic bisphenol-A (BPA).
Is plastic #6 bad for the environment?
Plastic #6 – PS (Polystyrene) Polystyrene is Styrofoam, which is notorious for being difficult to recycle, and thus, bad for the environment. This kind of plastic also poses a health risk, leaching potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. Most recycling programs won’t accept it.
Is plastic #5 safe?
Increasingly becoming accepted by curbside recycle programs, plastic #5 is also one of the safer plastics to look for.
What is the recycling number?
Recycling numbers range from 1 to 7 and sometimes have certain letters written alongside them as well. These digits, also known as resin identification codes, depict the material used in the product and whether it is recyclable or not.
What is number 7 in recycling?
Plastic recycling number 7 includes items that contain bisphenol or a combination of any other industrial chemical from number 1 to 6. It can include anything from non-recyclable styrofoam and non-petroleum-based items to easily recyclable items such as water cooler bottles. Therefore, whether these plastics can be recycled or not entirely depends on the individual products.
Why do recyclers use redcycle?
They are a guide for the recyclers to check whether a certain item is easily recyclable or needs to be sent to a special recycling facility like REDcycle. It helps them separate the items based on the industrial chemical used in production to avoid issues like contamination and materials getting mixed up during recycling.
How can we contribute to a healthy and plastic-free environment?
But, come to think of it. If we, as consumers, decipher these recycling numbers and make sustainable choices based on them, we can contribute to a healthy and plastic-free environment. If we opt for recyclable products rather than those that may find their way into the ocean, we can reduce ocean pollution and help save precious aquatic creatures as well.
Why is styrofoam not recyclable?
These products are non-recyclable because they break up into further tiny pieces, and are hazardous to the environment. Also, styrofoam can be easily contaminated by food, thus polluting other recyclable material in the process.
What is a redcycle bin?
In case you’re wondering, REDcycle bins keep flexible plastics from ending into landfills and recycle them into new products.
Can you use single use plastic?
However, this is single-use plastic, and you should avoid using it whenever possible . Opt for reusable bottles or glass containers instead.
