recycle symbol numbers

^{Can your item be recycled?}

• Look for the recycling symbol: 3 green arrows arranged in a triangle.
• Check plastic recycling numbers: 1-2 is widely recycled while 3-6 varies by location.
• Speak to your local recycling centre if you’re unsure.
• Make sure any items containing food have been cleaned and separated.

What does the number inside the recycle symbol mean?

• Used on bottles and rigid containers in compliance with laws in 39 states (US).
• Identifies resin (type of plastic) content only.
• Must be as inconspicuous as possible so the consumer's purchasing decision is not influenced.
• Must not be modified in any way.
• No claims of recyclability or the word 'recyclable' near the code symbol.

More items...

What all the recycling symbols mean?

Recycling symbols & what they mean. Recycling symbols that appear on packaging are designed to inform but can often complicate the matter, meaning our waste has been ending up in the wrong place or even putting people off recycling altogether. According to WRAP up to 80% of potentially recyclable rubbish goes to landfills in the UK.

What does the number in the recycle sign mean?

What Does the Recycling Symbol Mean, Anyway?

1. Recyclable (Sometimes, Some Places)
2. Made From Recycled Materials
3. Plastic Resin Code, or Type of Plastic
4. The How2Recycle Label
5. Compostable (But Not in Your Backyard)

What does the 5 in the recycling symbol mean?

What does the 5 in the recycling symbol mean?

1. PETE – Polyethylene Terephthalate. The easiest of plastics to recycle.
2. HDPE – High density Polyethylene.
3. PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride.
4. LDPE Low-density Polyethylene.
5. PP – Polypropylene.
6. PS – Polystyrene.
7. Other.

What numbers are most recyclable?

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 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)

Is number 4 plastic safe?

Yes, 4 is among safe plastics numbers. Taking into account the low 4 plastic recycling facilities, you should reuse LDPE 4 plastic at least a few times before moving it to a garbage bin.

Can plastic 5 Be recycled UK?

5 – PP (Polypropylene) – Recyclable plastic (check Local Authority) PP can be recycled. However, you will need to check with your Local Authority to ensure it is recycled in your area.

What number plastics Cannot be recycled?

Finally, plastics number 6 and 7 are never recycled.

Can number 5 plastic be reused?

If you find as #2, #4, or #5 plastic, those are fairly safe to reuse. These contain low levels of polyethylene thermoplastic, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.

Is number 5 plastic microwave safe?

If they container has a #5 on it, it is made from polypropylene, PP, so it is generally considered microwave safe.

What plastics should you avoid?

Plastics You Should AvoidPlastic #1 - Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) ... Dangers of Type 1 Plastics. ... Plastic #2 - High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) ... Dangers of Type 2 Plastics. ... Plastic #3 - Vinyl or Polyvinyl Chloride (V or PVC) ... Dangers of Type 3 Plastics. ... Plastic #4 - Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)More items...

Is plastic bottle number 1 safe?

Number 1 Plastic: This plastic is used for water bottles and soda bottles and is generally safe. However, it's made with a porous surface that traps bacteria, so it's not a good idea to reuse these bottles once they are empty.

Can toothpaste tubes be recycled?

Good to know. Pump action toothpaste tubes are easier to recycle and can be placed in the recycling if your local authority also collects plastic pots, tubs and trays.

What is not recyclable?

You should not recycle packaging that contains dangerous products — or in other words, products that are ignitable, corrosive, or toxic. Examples include oil paint, motor oil, fuel, poisons, or medical waste. If these items are empty, and all you have left is the packaging, then throw the packaging in the trash.

Can you recycle shampoo bottles?

Recycling from the bathroom Most of us recycle shampoo and conditioner bottles, but don't forget to recycle items such as: Bathroom cleaners - rinse and replace the trigger spray. Bleach bottles - empty and replace the lid. Liquid soap bottles - empty, rinse and remove the pump dispenser (throw pump into the rubbish ...

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 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).

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.

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 number 1 plastic safe?

While Number 1 is considered safe, it is also best to avoid this plastic. Look for symbols 2, 4, and 5, as these plastics are considered to be safest. These are the plastics to look for in terms of human and animal consumption. In the end, plastics will still be used, but you can certainly limit your use of the product.

Is plastic 2 recyclable?

Plastic #2 is typically opaque and picked up by most curbside recycling programs. This plastic is one of the 3 plastics considered to be safe, and has a lower risk of leaching.

What does the 1 in the triangle mean on a plastic bottle?

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) A 1 inside the triangle indicates the plastic is polyethylene terephthalate, which is shortened to PET or PETE. This symbol is normally found on bottles for soft drinks and water; salad dressing, peanut butter, and vegetable oil containers; and mouthwash bottles.

What is the RIC on plastic?

The symbols—then collectively called the Resin Identification Code (RIC)—were developed in 1988 by the organization now known as ...

What plastics have a 7 inside the triangle?

Miscellaneous Plastics. Getty Images. Any plastic that does not fall under one of those six types has a 7 inside the triangle. These plastics include nylon and polycarbonate and are found in certain food containers, signs and displays, computers and electronic devices, DVDs, sunglasses, and bulletproof materials.

What does a 2 in a triangle mean?

A 2 inside the triangle indicates the plastic is high-density polyethylene, or HDPE. You can find HDPE in milk jugs, shampoo bottles, butter and yogurt tubs, motor oil bottles, shopping and trash bags, bags inside cereal boxes, and household cleaner and detergent bottles.

What is PP in a bottle?

Polypropylene (PP) Getty Images. A 5 inside the triangle indicates the plastic is polypropylene or PP. It is commonly found in medicine bottles, straws, bottle caps, ketchup bottles and syrup bottles, and some yogurt containers.

What is a 6 inside a triangle?

Polystyrene (PS) A 6 inside the triangle indicates the plastic is polystyrene (PS), which is also erroneously referred to as Styrofoam, the name of a Dow-trademarked brand of polystyrene insulation. You can find PS in disposable cups and plates, carry-out containers, egg cartons, and meat trays.

Is the RIC system still in place?

In the meantime, the RIC system is still in place and helpful for both consumers and those who want to run a plastics recycling operation, which generally deals with packaging used for consumer products. Each number represents a type of plastic, and different types of plastics are generally used in the same types of packaging.

Quick Guide to Recycling Plastics

America is drowning in trash. Americans put 27 million tons of plastic in landfills in 2018 alone. That's roughly 75% of the plastic Americans produced that year.

The Universal Recycling Symbol

The universal recycling symbol contains three twisting arrows. These arrows point to each other, forming a triangle with rounded corners.

The Meanings of Your Recycling Symbols

Recycling symbols are simple yet profound. The universal recycling symbol is the same almost everywhere. The numbers designate different kinds of plastics.

Plastic Recycling Symbols

We're told that over 90% of plastic is not recycled, which is a shocking statistic. It's no wonder plastic waste is such as huge global problem. So by disposing of our own plastic properly, at least we know we'll be doing our bit to avoid making it any worse.

What do the Numbers on Recycling Symbols mean?

The numbers tell you what type of plastic a product is made from. From this you can tell whether it can be recycled, and how to properly dispose of it.

What Numbers Cannot be Recycled?

It is technically possible to recycle all numbers, but only if the facility exists to do so. Sadly there are some such as #3 PVC, #5 Polypropylene and #6 Polystyrene are rarely recycled.

What is a recycling code?

Recycling codes are used to identify the material from which an item is made, to facilitate easier recycling or other reprocessing. The presence on an item of a recycling code, a chasing arrows logo, or a resin code, is not an automatic indicator that a material is recyclable; it is an explanation of what the item is made of.

How many recycling codes are there in China?

A number of countries have a more granular system of recycling codes. For example, China's polymer identification system has seven different classifications of plastic, five different symbols for post-consumer paths, and 140 identification codes. The lack of a code system in some countries has encouraged those who fabricate their own plastic ...

Something is recyclable only if there is a buyer for it

Many people don’t understand that recycling is a for-profit business. Yes, your community pays to have trash and recycling hauled away, but then the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF, or the place where they sort out those recyclables) is a business and needs to be able to sell those materials to a manufacturer who wants them.

Size and shape matters

Most recycling programs will take #1 and #2 plastic, but not ALL #1 and #2 plastic. Why? Because of the way recyclables are sorted at the MRF. Flat plastics, pill bottles and other small plastics will usually fall through the cracks of the screening process and cause headaches for the workers and extra expense spent cleaning that stuff out.

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 code for 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.

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 ...

Can you dispose of soda bottles in Massachusetts?

Recycling these containers isn’t just an option: it’s the law.

Can #7 plastic be recycled?

Any type of plastic that doesn’t fit into one of the first six categories falls under this heading. Products stamped with a 7 are often made out of multiple plastic types or out of other types of plastic that can’t easily be recycled. #7 products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.

Can PVC tubing be recycled?

Plastic tubing, kids’ toys, plastic trays and furniture are often made out of PVC. PVC products CANNOT be recycled.

Can you recycle styrofoam?

It’s not viable for some plastics recycling companies to take hard- to-process plastic products like Styrofoam. Bags made of type 4 plastic, like produce and grocery bags, also shouldn’t be put into recycling bins because they can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities.