Sage Learning Center: Recycle Your Plastic

Sage Learning Center

There are several types of plastic. Not all of them can be tossed into your recycling bin. A chasing arrows symbol means a plastic container is recyclable. But the arrows are meaningless because every plastic container is marked with the chasing arrows symbol. The only real valuable information in the symbol is the number inside the arrows, which indicates the general class of resin used to make the container. But what do the numbers mean? Here's a primer. Check with your community to see what plastics you can toss into your curbiside bin.

For a more complete story all about plastics, please be sure to see our digital magazine article,
The GreenSage Guide to Safer Living with Plastics

RECYCLE YOUR PLASTIC

	Plastic No. 1: Polyethylene terephthalate, also called PET or PETE. It is commonly used in 2-liter soda bottles and cooking oil bottles and in making peanut butter jars. This type of plastic is accepted by most curbside recycling programs.
	Plastic No. 2: High-density polyethylene, or HDPE. Used to make detergent bottles, milk jugs, grocery bags and yogurt cups, it is accepted by many recyclers. Bags can be taken to most large grocery stores for recycling.
	Plastic No. 3: Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC or V. It is regularly used in plastic pipes, some outdoor furniture, shrink-wrap and liquid detergent containers. It is not easily recyclable.
	Plastic No. 4: Low-density polyethylene, or LDPE. It is used in food containers, dry-cleaning bags and trash can liners. Many recycling programs accept this type of plastic.
	Plastic No. 5: Polypropylene, or PP. Used in ketchup bottles, drinking straws and some food containers, it is not readily recyclable.
	Plastic No. 6: Polystyrene, or PS. It is used in packaging pellets, Styrofoam peanuts, plastic utensils, some to-go food containers and egg cartons. While some packaging companies will accept packing peanuts for reuse, other items are not often accepted at recycling centers.
	Plastic No. 7: This category covers all other types of plastics, mostly polycarbonates which have been shown to leach a harmful chemical called Bisphenol-A. However, containers that fall into this category can be made from several types of plastic polymers -- including some that may be biodegradable. Most recycling programs do not accept No. 7 plastics.