Understanding recycling numbers encourages us to reduce, reuse and recycle even more. Take a closer look at your life (and those numbers) today and make a difference.
Recycling numbers:
HERE ARE THE PLASTIC CATEGORIES (snapshot):
**Please check with your local recycling centers to verify which numbers they accept.
#1 PETE
Polyethylene Terephthalate
Plastic soft drink, water, sports drink, beer, mouthwash, ketchup and salad dressing bottles. Peanut butter, pickle, jelly & jam jars.
#2 HDPE
High Density Polyethylene
Frosted milk, juice, cosmetics, shampoo, dish & laundry detergent bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs.
#3 VINYL or PVC
PVC, PVB, EVA
(Food grade containers, medical tubing, wire and cable insulation, film and sheet, construction products such as pipes, fittings, siding, floor tiles, carpet backing and window frames.
#4 LDPE
Low Density Polyethylene
Squeezable bottles such as honey and mustard bottles.
#5 PP
Polypropylene
Ketchup bottles, yogurt containers and margarine tubs, medicine bottles.
#6 PS
Polystyrene
GPPS, HIPS, EPS Foam
(Compact disc jackets, food service applications, grocery store meat trays, foam egg cartons, cups, plates & cutlery) STYROFOAM is not accepted in MOST recycling programs.
#7 OTHER
Polycarbonate, Acrylic, ABS, Mixed Plastics
Three and five gallon reusable water bottles, some citrus juice and ketchup bottles.
PLASTIC CATEGORIES (defined):
Plastic #1 - Polyethylene terephtalate, also known as PETE or PET
We often see this number on most disposable soda and water bottles. It’s usually clear and this plastic is considered generally safe. PET plastics are lightweight, inexpensive and easy to recycle. However, it was found to have a porous surface that allows bacteria to accumulate. Just a word of warning: Do NOT repeatedly reuse these bottles as makeshift containers due to risk of growing bacteria.
Most thermoplastics can be recycled, but it’s been said that PET recycling is more practical. Plastic carbonated soft drink and water bottles, for instance, are almost exclusively PET, which makes them easily identifiable in a recycle stream.
Plastic #2 – High density polyethylene, or HDPE
This is the high density version of Polyethylene (PE) plastic. It’s definitely harder, stronger and a little heavier than Low density polyethylene (LDPE), but less ductile. This type of plastic is considered safe and has a low risk of leaching.
It is usually opaque, and is also found in newer bullet proof vests, and various toys. Since it is safe, it is usually picked up by most recycling programs.
Plastic #3 - Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC
This is considered poison plastic so watch out. PVC may be a tough plastic, but you should not cook anywhere near it. It is not recyclable, and compared to other plastics, it is toxic in production, use and disposal.
PVC has been found to have phthalates — softening chemicals that can interfere with hormonal development! So many different additives are used to make PVC, such as chlorine. This is also one of the reasons why it is rarely accepted by recycling programs. When tossed in landfills, PVC poses significant long-term environmental threats as its chemical additives can leach into groundwater, contaminating both animal life and human life.
Plastic #4 – Low density polyethylene (LDPE)
This plastic is a thermoplastic made from oil. It’s cheap, and has good chemical resistance. LDPE is less hard, less stiff and less strong compared to HDPE, but it has better ductility. It’s also known for its excellent resistance to water, moisture and most organic solvents and chemicals, except those that contain aroma or chlorine. LDPE can be processed by all conventional methods. While it is considered safe, it’s not often accepted by curbside recycling programs because although it is recyclable, it is not biodegradable.
Plastic #5 – Polypropylene
Lightweight, with excellent resistance to stress and high resistant to cracking, Polypropylene is non-toxic and non-staining. It also resistant to organic solvents, degreasing agents and electrolytic attack. Because of its resistance to stress, it is often used for lids and caps which require a hinging mechanism.
Plastic #6 Polystyrene, or Styrofoam
Most of us know polystyrene in the form of Styrofoam used for disposable cups and packing peanuts. Interestingly, polystyrene is also used as a building material, with electrical appliances and in other household items.
While Polystyrene is one of the most widely used kinds of plastic, evidence suggests that this type of plastic leaches potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. It also takes a very long time to biodegrade, that’s why it’s a threat to the environment. Polystyrene foam, for example, can be found in plastic debris in the ocean, where it becomes toxic to marine life. Foamed polystyrene blows in the wind and floats on water, and is abundant in the outdoor environment. Also, because of its light weight and low scrap value, it’s also not easily recycled.
Plastic #7 – Any other plastic aside from #1-6, or those made of any combination of 1-6 or another, less commonly used plastic.
Varieties of plastic resins that don’t fit into the previous 6 categories are lumped into number 7. A few are even made from plants (polyactide) and are compostable. Polycarbonate is one such plastic included here. Studies have shown it can leach potential hormone disruptors. Another dreaded plastic belongs to #7 — BPA. It is therefore wise to dispose of any food or drink related product, especially for children, that contains BPA. The use of #7 plastic can be scary, since you don’t know what could be in it.
Defined content courtesy of http://www.greenblossoms.net
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