Maya Ellison
Plastic recycling is a complex process. The number imprinted inside the recycling symbol on plastic materials indicates the type of plastic the material is made from and its resin identification code. Plastics with numbers 1 and 2 are the most commonly recycled plastics and can be tossed into standard recycling bins. However, other types of plastic may not be permitted in your bin, and some plastics are very difficult to recycle. Understanding the differences between the types of plastic and the recycling symbols will help you recycle more effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of standard classifications for plastics | 7 |
| Purpose of the number inside the triangle | To identify the type of plastic used for the product |
| Plastic with #1 and #2 are | PETE and HDPE, the most commonly recycled plastics |
| Plastic with #3 is | Made from polyvinyl chloride, not accepted by most public recycling centers |
| Plastic with #5 is | Made from polypropylene, not accepted by most public recycling centers |
| Plastic with #7 is | Made from multiple plastic types or from other types of plastic that can't be easily recycled |
| Plastic with #7 is also | Used to make baby bottles, sippy cups, water cooler bottles, and car parts |
| Plastic with #7 is also | Polycarbonate plastic food containers often marketed as 'non-leaching' |
| LDPE plastic is | Reusable and safe to repurpose |
| Polypropylene plastic is | Recyclable, although many recyclers still don’t accept it |
| Polystyrene products are | Not generally recyclable and account for about 35% of US landfill material |
| Polystyrene may | Leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food products |
| Pyrolysis | A process to recycle any organic material |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling symbols are not indicative of recyclability
Plastic recycling is a complex process. The recycling symbols on plastic products do not necessarily indicate that a product is recyclable or recycled. The number enclosed within the recycling symbol on plastic items is a resin identification code that tells you what kind of plastic the material is made of. Plastics with the number 1 (PETE) or 2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics. These plastics may be tossed into standard recycling bins. However, this depends on your municipality's guidelines.
Plastics with the numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are generally harder to recycle and are not as widely collected in local recycling programs. These plastics may require specialised handling or recycling at specialist points. For example, plastic bags should not be put into recycling bins because they can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities.
While recycling symbols can give you insight into where and how to recycle an item, it is important to research and understand your local council and town's legislation and rules for recycling. Accepted materials in recycling programs vary from city to city. Some plastics may be recycled at specialist points, such as large supermarkets, or via retailers and recycling centres.
Therefore, it is crucial to understand the specific recycling symbols designated for each type of plastic to segregate them effectively based on their processing criteria. Different plastics have varying processing needs, such as different melting temperatures, and are ultimately recycled into different products.
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Plastic numbered 1 and 2 are the most commonly recycled
Plastic items are usually stamped with a number, which is a resin identification code that tells you what kind of plastic the material is made of. This number is usually found inside a small triangle made of arrows. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It is the number inside the triangle that indicates whether the plastic can be recycled or not.
Plastics numbered 1 and 2 are the most commonly recycled. Number 1 plastic, also known as PET or PETE, is often used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. It is also used for cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and other food containers. Number 2 plastic, or HDPE, is another very common type of plastic that is safe and fully recyclable. It is used to make milk jugs, detergent containers, and oil bottles. Both types 1 and 2 plastics may be tossed into standard recycling bins and are accepted by most recyclers.
Plastics numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are generally tougher to recycle and are not always collected by local recycling programs. Type 4 plastic, for example, is used for produce and grocery bags, which cannot be put into recycling bins because they can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities. Plastic numbered 7 is the most challenging to recycle and is almost always excluded. These plastics are often made from multiple types of plastic that cannot be easily recycled.
It is important to note that the accepted materials in recycling programs can vary from city to city, so it is always good to check with your local municipality to confirm that a plastic material can be recycled in your community.
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Plastic numbered 7 is not recyclable or reusable
Plastic recycling is a complex process. The number imprinted inside the recycling symbol on plastic materials indicates the type of plastic the material is made from. This number is a resin identification code.
Plastics numbered 7 are often made from multiple types of plastics or other types of plastic that are difficult to recycle. They are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected in local recycling programs. Polycarbonate is a #7 plastic—a clear, hard plastic that has been shown to include bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disruptor. Other substitutes, such as BPS and BPF, may also disrupt endocrine function.
Products stamped with a 7 are not easily recyclable. They are not accepted in all local recycling programs, so it is important to check with your local municipality to confirm if this type of plastic can be recycled in your community.
Some plastic products that are numbered 7 include electronic equipment, glasses frames, and plastic brick toys.
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Polypropylene is recyclable but not widely accepted
Plastic recycling is a complex process. The numbers imprinted inside the recycling symbol on plastic materials indicate the type of plastic the material is made from. Plastics with the numbers 1 (PETE) and 2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled types and can be tossed into standard recycling bins.
Polypropylene (PP) is a type of plastic that is recyclable but not widely accepted. Only about 1% of PP is recycled. PP is used to make products like plastic bags, yogurt containers, medicine bottles, and straws. It is also used to make woven fabric rolls, which are then used to create sacks for sandbags, bulk coffee, rice, and other dry goods.
The process of recycling PP is important for protecting the environment. When PP is dumped in landfills, it can take around 20-30 years to decompose, and it can release hazardous fumes and chemicals. To recycle PP, the material must be collected, sorted, shredded, separated by color, and then compounded. However, most residential recycling receptacles and local recycling centers are not equipped to recycle PP, which means that individuals or companies must seek out specialist companies that handle PP recycling.
Some companies, such as Miller Recycling, can provide guidance and solutions for recycling plastics like PP.
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Polystyrene is not generally recyclable
Polystyrene is a plastic made from petroleum. Technically, it is recyclable, but it is not generally recycled because it is less cost-effective to do so. Polystyrene is 95% air, which makes it lightweight and bulky. This means that the collection and transportation of polystyrene for recycling often outweigh the environmental benefits.
Polystyrene is commonly used to make disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, and to-go food containers. It is often contaminated with food or drink and is difficult to clean because of its porous nature. It is also hard to store and ship because of its low density.
Some local councils accept polystyrene in domestic recycling bins, but others require that it be disposed of with general waste. There are some specialist companies that will recycle polystyrene, but it must be taken to a specific location where it can be densified.
Polystyrene is non-biodegradable and can take up to 500 years to decompose in a landfill. Some municipal trash collection organizations incinerate it, but this uses energy and generates toxic gases.
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