what numbers are recyclable plastics

^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Plastics Recycling By the Numbers}

1. PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate) There’s a good chance you’ve held something made of this plastic type today. ...
2. HDPE (High density polyethylene) HDPE plastics are also extremely common. They’re those used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers and detergent bottles.
3. PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) PVC is a soft, flexible plastic, so it’s used for a huge array of household products. ...
4. LDPE (Low density polyethylene) A lot of plastic wrappings are made of LDPE plastic. ...
5. PP (Polypropylene) PP is used to make the food containers used for products like yogurt, sour cream and margarine. It’s also made into straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps.
6. PS (Polystyrene) Styrofoam products are made out of PS plastic, so it’s commonly used to make disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers and to-go food containers.

Full Answer

Which type of plastic cannot be recycled?

Unfortunately, not all plastics can be recycled. There are three types of plastic that cannot be recycled – PVC, PS and other. These plastics are usually found in containers for food like milk jugs and soda bottles. They’re also found in plastic bags we get from the grocery store or even our clothing!

How much percentage of plastic is currently recycled?

This will likely come as no surprise to longtime readers, but according to National Geographic, an astonishing 91 percent of plastic doesn’t actually get recycled. This means that only around 9 percent is being recycled.

Which plastics are easily recyclable?

You can recycle this plastic if your Local Authority mentions:

• Packing tape
• Plastic Straws
• Take away tubs
• Ketchup bottles
• Plastic picnic ware
• Plastic b ags or film that can’t be stretched- these are not recyclable

What plastics cannot be recycled?

rom a technical point of view, the only plastics that physically cannot be recycled are the plastics known as thermosets and the “cured” cross-linked relatives, paint, and tires*. Thermosets are plastics that can not be simply melted back into a reusable form: epoxy/amine hardener.

Which plastic codes Cannot be recycled?

Finally, plastics number 6 and 7 are never recycled....PET. The most widely recycled plastic in the world is PET. ... HDPE. HDPE is accepted at most recycling centers in the world, as it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. ... PVC. ... LDPE. ... PP. ... PS (POLYSTYRENE) and 7-OTHER.

Can all 7 types of plastic be recycled?

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.

What triangle numbers are recyclable?

Generally, most recyclers accept plastics #1 and #2. Plastics #3 to #6 are more difficult to recycle and some recycling centers do not process them. Plastic #7 is even more difficult to recycle and almost always excluded.

Is number 5 plastic recyclable?

Hard plastics (numbers 1 and 2) are consistently recyclable. In general, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), commonly used in plastic drink bottles, and PP (polypropylene) – used for bottle caps, margarine tubs, and meal trays – are recyclable in Singapore. If in doubt, 1 is for PET and 5 is for PP.

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.

What is HDPE in plastic?

This coding refers to high density polyethylene, or HDPE. This plastic forms milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, butter tubs, motor oil bottles, and some shopping bags. It’s a little tougher than PET, but nearly as common.

What is PVC used for?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is best known for its use in pipes, but that’s not the only product that relies on plastic no. 3. PVC also appears in cooking oil and shampoo bottles, medical tubing, wire jacketing, and window cleaner spray bottles.

What is the first number for plastic recycling?

Easily recycled ones. PETE or PET (#1) – the first of the plastic recycling numbers. It is abbreviated from Polyethylene Terephthalate, it is most commonly found in soda, water, and juice bottles. Additionally, it is also found in most food packaging. This type of plastic is often clear in colour. It is one of the most recyclable types ...

How many types of plastic are there?

First things first, there exist 7 types of plastics. If you memorise these 7 plastic numbers, you will not have too many problems ...

What is the second recycling number?

The second one of the recycling numbers is also known as commonly recycled plastic. You can usually find this type of plastic in milk jugs, household carpet cleaner and detergent containers, and also some plastic bags. Furthermore, they are considered a safe form of plastic.

Is clear plastic recyclable?

This type of plastic is often clear in colour. It is one of the most recyclable types of plastic and most recycling programmes accept them . They can either be reprocessed into recycled plastic bottles and packaging or turned into fibre for the creation of textile products such as fleece garments and carpets.

Can you recycle plastic?

Depending on your local council, you may or may not recycle such type of plastic. But more often than not, recyclers do not accept mixed plastics. Additionally, they also contain the dangerous chemical BPA, a known toxic, synthetic compound that compromises one’s fertility.

How much HDPE plastic is recycled?

However, since only about 30-35% of HDPE plastic utilized in America gets recycled annually , it’s knowing use as little as possible. to chop down, consider replacing your disposable produce bags with reusable alternatives. #3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

What does a 3 in plastic mean?

a 3 indicates that the bottle has been made up of PVC , a five means it’s been made from polypropylene, two materials that aren’t accepted by most public recycling centers.

What is the BPA in number 7 plastic?

Number 7 plastics are wont to make baby bottles, sippy cups, device bottles and car parts. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic food containers often marked on rock bottom with the letters “PC” by the recycling label #7.

What is compostable plastic made of?

A new generation of compostable plastics, made up of bio-based polymers like corn starch, is being developed to exchange polycarbonates. These also are included in category #7, which may be confusing to the buyer . These compostable plastics have the initials “PLA” on rock bottom near the recycling symbol.

What is LDPE in clothing?

LDPE is usually found in shrink wraps, cleaner garment bags, squeezable bottles, and therefore the sort of plastic bags wont to package bread. The plastic grocery bags utilized in most stores today are made using LDPE plastic. Some clothing and furniture also uses this sort of plastic.

How to cut down on LDPE?

To cut down on the quantity of LDPE that you simply consume, try replacing your plastic grocery bags with fabric alternatives and taking a cloth bag to your local bakery subsequent time you purchase a loaf of bread. you’ll also replace plastic sandwich bags with platinum silicone alternatives, which are heat safe.

Why is PVC considered a poison?

PVC is dubbed the “poison plastic” because it contains numerous toxins which it can leach throughout its entire life cycle. most products using PVC require virgin material for his or her construction; but 1% of PVC material is recycled. Products made using PVC plastic aren’t recyclable.

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 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 low density polyethylene?

Low density polyethylene is most found in squeezable bottles, shopping bags, clothing, carpet, frozen food, bread bags, and some food wraps. Curbside recycling programs haven’t been known to pick up this plastic, but more are starting to accept it. Plastic #4 rests among the recycling symbols considered to be safe.

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.

Can you still use plastic water bottles?

In the end, plastics will still be used, but you can certainly limit your use of the product. Instead of buying plastic water bottles or other plastic containers, choose glass or invest in a high quality water filtration system to obtain your water from. (This is best for your health anyway). Additional Sources:

What is the number on a bottle called?

Just because you see the iconic chasing arrows symbol on a bottle with a number inside of it does not mean the material you’re looking at is actually recyclable. Those little numbers, ranging from 1-7, are actually called resin codes. They are used to identify the type of plastic used for the product and just how recyclable or reusable the material is. In this post, we’ll explore some characteristics of each resin code/plastic and identify the key qualities, major uses and recyclability for each.

What is PP plastic?

PP is a tough, lightweight plastic with excellent heat-resistance qualities. It is microwaveable and freezable in many forms and serves as a barrier against moisture, grease and chemicals. These qualities make it an attractive use for things like cereal bags, keeping out moisture and sealing in freshness.

Is plastic water bottle recyclable?

It is known for having high clarity (able to see through it without cloudiness) and resistant to environmental stress cracks caused by cold or heat. Recyclable: Yes.

Is PVC pipe recyclable?

It is used for many purposes due to being relatively impervious to sunlight and weather. While some PVC products can be repurposed, they are not recyclable.

Is PLA compostable?

A new generation of compostable plastics, made from bio-based polymers like corn starch, (labeled PLA) are also included in this category, which can cause confusion for consumers. For this reason recycling and reuse standards don’t apply across the board here. Recyclable: No – although some are compostable.

Can you recycle PS foam?

Recyclable: No for the most part. Some communities are beginning programs to recycle PS in its foam form. Common Uses: Cups, lids, egg cartons, take-out containers, plates, bowls, cutlery, packaging foam, insulation and underlay sheeting.

Is LDPE plastic recyclable?

This is also a very common plastic for can liners. LDPE is considered substantially less toxic than other plastics, yet it is not commonly recycled. This is changing for the better as many communities today are setting up recycling programs to handle this material.

How much HDPE plastic is recycled?

However, since only about 30-35% of HDPE plastic used in America gets recycled each year, it’s wise to use as little as possible. To cut down, consider replacing your disposable produce bags with reusable alternatives.

What is the best plastic for cereal boxes?

Polypropylene plastic is tough and lightweight, and has excellent heat-resistance qualities. It serves as a barrier against moisture, grease and chemicals. When you try to open the thin plastic liner in a cereal box, it is polypropylene. This keeps your cereal dry and fresh.

What is HDPE plastic?

HDPE plastic is the stiff plastic used to make milk jugs, detergent and oil bottles, toys, and some plastic bags. HDPE is the most commonly recycled plastic and is considered one of the safest forms of plastic. It is a relatively simple and cost-effective process to recycle HDPE plastic for secondary use.

What is LDPE in clothing?

LDPE is often found in shrink wraps, dry cleaner garment bags, squeezable bottles, and the type of plastic bags used to package bread. The plastic grocery bags used in most stores today are made using LDPE plastic. Some clothing and furniture also uses this type of plastic.

How to reduce LDPE?

To cut down on the amount of LDPE that you consume, try replacing your plastic grocery bags with fabric alternatives and taking a cloth bag to your local bakery the next time you buy a loaf of bread. You can also replace plastic sandwich bags with platinum silicone alternatives, which are heat safe.

Is polypropylene recyclable?

Polypropylene is recyclable through some curbside recycling programs, but only about 3% of PP products are currently being recycled in the US. Recycled PP is used to make landscaping border stripping, battery cases, brooms, bins and trays. However, #5 plastic is today becoming more accepted by recyclers.

Can plastic be recycled?

There are numerous plastic-based products that cannot break down and cannot be recycled. Understanding the seven plastic codes will make it easier to choose plastics and to know which plastics to recycle. For example, water bottles that display a three or a five cannot be recycled in most jurisdictions in the US.