Which Types of Plastic Are Most Easily Recycled?
Recycling allows plastics to be reused and conserves not only virgin materials, but also the environment in which those materials are found. If trash in your area is incinerated for energy, poisonous gases can be released as plastic burns, so recycling that plastic saves the air you breathe. With states looking for more ways to stretch existing landfill space, reduce greenhouse gases, and bring in increased revenues, you can be sure more plastic will be allowed into the recycling bin. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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Plastic containers are designated by the numbers 1 to 7 and are organized by type of resin used to make the container.
Identification
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The easiest plastic to recycle is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and is designated with a number 1. High-density polyethylene ranks number two, and is designated with a number 2.
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Function
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Plastic containers in the number 1 family include soda bottles, while number 2 includes laundry detergent bottles, milk jugs and hard plastic furniture such as folding tables.
Considerations
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As more states adopt recycling targets, more plastic types will have to be accepted. Some states are already mandating that jurisdictions take yogurt and similar containers which are typically polypropylene (also known as #5) but sometimes can be polystyrene (also known as #6). Some states are even taking expanded polystyrene (EPS), which is typically used in computer packaging for its rigid construction but can also be used for egg and meat containers.
Misconceptions
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By recycling plastics, less oil (the main ingredient in plastic) is used. It is important to note, however, that the recycling symbol (called a mobius) on the bottom of plastic containers does not actually mean the containers are recyclable. Rather, you should look at the number inside the mobius and see if your jurisdiction is taking plastic in that type.
Fun Fact
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In 2006, 2,220,000,000 pounds of plastic bottles were recycled, according to the American Plastics Council.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Courtesy of ImmortalGoddezz on Wikimedia Commons
