How to Determine What Plastics are Recyclable

Just because a product has a recycle symbol on it does not mean that it is recyclable. The following steps will help you determine which of your plastics are recyclable.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Look for the recycle symbol with letters and numbers on the bottom of the plastic item. Plastic numbers 1 through 7 are generally recyclable. The list in step 2 can help you determine which plastics to recycle.
2. No. 1 PET: Polyethylene terephthalate--Fizzy drink bottles and oven-ready meal trays.No. 2 HDPE: High-density polyethylene--Bottles for milk and washing-up liquids.No. 3 PVC: Polyvinyl chloride--Food trays, cling film, bottles for squash, mineral water and shampoo.No. 4 LDPE: Low density polyethylene--Carrier bags and bin liners.No. 5 PP: Polypropylene--Margarine tubs, microwaveable meal trays.No. 6 PS: Polystyrene--Yogurt pots, foam meat or fish trays, hamburger boxes and egg cartons, vending cups, plastic cutlery, protective packaging for electronic goods and toys.No. 7 Other: Any other plastics that do not fall into any of the above categories. An example is melamine, which is often used in plastic plates and cups.
3. Take your plastics numbers 1 through 7 to your local recycling center.

Tips & Warnings

• It is more efficient to reuse your plastic than to recycle.