How to Identify BPA-Free Water Bottles for Recycling

While many types of plastic bottles can be easily recycled in local recycling centers, CNN reports that approximately 90 percent of these bottles are not actually being recycled. Instead, the bottles are finding their way into landfills. To cut this high percentage, it is important for consumers to recognize and recycle BPA-free water bottles. BPA-free bottles do not contain bisphenol-a, a type of substance used in the production of polycarbonate. According to a "New York Times" article, small amounts of BPA, whose possible health risks are under review, may be leaching from polycarbonate bottles and containers.

Instructions

1. Collect the empty water bottles that you have at your residence or business. Use disposable gloves if you are removing the bottles from a garbage can.

2. Carefully inspect the bottles until you find the small triangle (made of recycle-symbol arrows). A number will be in the middle of the triangle.

3. Sort the bottles based on the number that appears inside the recycling symbol. Most plastic water bottles will have a number 1 inside the recycling symbol. Items with a number 1 inside typically can be recycled at most recycling centers.

4. Place the items with a number 7 in the second box or basket. Number 7 materials may contain BPA and can often be difficult to recycle.

5. Take the BPA-free bottles to your neighborhood recycling center.

Tips & Warnings

• The number inside the recycling symbol is in reference to the particular type of resin that was used in the making of the plastic. The different resin numbers will indicate where you may recycle the products. The number of 7 is generally the designation of "Other" for plastics. The "Other" plastic designation is a broad catch-all section that can include varied objects. Many recycling centers will not accept these objects because the materials may contain BPA. In contrast, bottles with the number of 1 are often easily recycled at community recycling centers.

References

• CNN: All About -- Recycling Plastics
• "New York Times": A Hard Plastic Is Raising Hard Questions
• Rei.com: How to Choose a Water Bottle
• Earth 911: Plastic 101