Types of Plastics for Recycling
Not all plastic is created equal when it comes to recycling. To help consumers understand what they can recycle, The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) created a numerical coding system in 1988. Plastics are coded from 1 to 7 and each number represents a different recycling category. You can usually find the code displayed within a three-sided arrow symbol on the bottom or side of a plastic product. Recycling centers accept specific categories of items based on their codes.
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What the Codes Mean
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The numerical codes indicate the resin content contained within the plastic product. Most consumer plastics found in residential waste are made with resins 1 through 6. The code 7 represents products made with a resin other than 1-6 or a combination of resins.
Code # | Resin Type
Code 1 | PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
Code 2 | HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
Code 3 | V (Vinyl) or PVC
Code 4 | LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
Code 5 | PP (polypropylene)
Code 6 | PS (Polystyrene)
Code 7 | Miscellaneous
How the Codes Impact Consumer Recycling
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The code system gives consumers a blueprint for how and where items can be recycled. Most communities offer some form of recycling such as curbside pickup, drop-off bins at grocery stores and electronic waste collection centers. The most commonly recycled products are plastic bottles and bags, coded with the numbers 1 and 2. These items are accepted in nearly all curbside services as well as drop-off bins. Items coded 3-7 are not typically picked up curbside and may require extra effort to locate a recycling facility.
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Common Curbside Recyclables: Codes 1-2
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Nearly all plastics coded 1 or 2 are picked up through curbside recycling programs. Code 1 plastics are found in everyday food and beverage bottles and containers. Code 2 products include plastic bags, milk and juice jugs and non-food items such as household cleaner bottles, motor oil containers and shampoo bottles.
Exceptions to curbside pickup can include plastic bags, used plastic wrap, zip-top bags, prepackaged/frozen food wrappers and items made from thin plastic film such as produce bags and cereal box liners. Because these products are lightweight, they are difficult to sort and can get stuck in recycling equipment. If your curbside service doesn't accept lighter plastics, some grocery stores provide collection bins for them.
Recycling Options for Codes 4-6
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While plastics coded 4-6 are found in everyday items, not all curbside recycling providers will pick them up. Code 4 plastics include squeeze bottles, bread bags, frozen food containers and dry cleaning bags. Code 5 plastics include products such as yogurt and butter containers, medicine bottles, bottle caps and drinking straws. Products containing code 6 include disposable plates and cups, meat trays and compact disc containers. Community recycling centers are your best bet for these items if your curbside service doesn't collect them.
Styrofoam and Code 7 Miscellaneous
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Styrofoam "popcorn" and similar packaging materials are usually not accepted curbside because they are difficult to collect and can complicate the recycling process. Code 7 is a catch-all category for items such as three- and five-gallon water bottles, sunglasses, toothbrushes, DVDs and electronic product casings. Because they contain incompatible materials, most curbside and community services don't take them. You may have to do some digging to find a commercial recycling program or electronic waste center for these products.
Recycling Tips
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1. Check with your local waste management department to learn about the recycling programs in your area.
2. Prepare bottles and containers for recycling by a) removing caps and pumps, b) rinsing them out to avoid contamination and c) crushing them if possible to reduce space in the bin.
3. To find a recycling location in your area for items not collected curbside, try Earth911's recycling locator at http://earth911.com/.
4. To locate retailers who provide collection bins for plastic bags, visit http://PlasticBagRecycling.org.
5. For electronic waste and Code 7 plastics, some companies offer recycling services for a fee. For more information visit http://earth911.com.
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