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The well-recognized "chasing arrows" symbol we come across on plastic containers and products does not mean the product is recyclable. The little number inside the triangle tells the existent story.

This article has been updated from its original text.

Within each chasing arrows triangle, there is a number which ranges from one to seven. The purpose of the number is to place the type of plastic used for the production, and not all plastics are recyclable or even reusable. There are numerous plastic-based products that cannot interruption down and cannot be recycled.

Agreement the seven plastic codes will brand information technology easier to choose plastics and to know which plastics to recycle. For example, h2o bottles that display a 3 or a v cannot exist recycled in most jurisdictions in the US. A three indicates that the h2o bottle has been made from polyvinyl chloride, a 5 means that it's been made of polypropylene, ii materials that are not accustomed past most public recycling centers.

Here are the vii standard classifications for plastics, and the recycling and reuse information for each blazon.

#1 - PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

PET is one of the virtually commonly used plastics in consumer products, and is found in most water and pop bottles, and some packaging. It is intended for single use applications; repeated employ increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. PET plastic is hard to decontaminate, and proper cleaning requires harmful chemicals. Polyethylene terephthalates may leach carcinogens.

PET plastic is recyclable and about 25% of PET bottles in the United states of america today are recycled. The plastic is crushed and then shredded into small flakes which are then reprocessed to make new PET bottles, or spun into polyester cobweb. This recycled fiber is used to make textiles such as fleece garments, carpets, stuffing for pillows and life jackets, and similar products.

Products fabricated of #1 (PET) plastic should exist recycled but non reused.

To use less PET plastic, consider switching to reusable beverage containers and replacing disposable nutrient packaging with reusable alternatives.

#2 - HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

HDPE plastic is the potent plastic used to make milk jugs, detergent and oil bottles, toys, and some plastic bags. HDPE is the most commonly recycled plastic and is considered one of the safest forms of plastic. It is a relatively unproblematic and cost-effective process to recycle HDPE plastic for secondary use.

HDPE plastic is very hard-wearing and does not break down under exposure to sunlight or extremes of heating or freezing. For this reason, HDPE is used to make picnic tables, plastic lumber, waste product bins, park benches, bed liners for trucks and other products which require durability and weather condition-resistance. It is also a popular fabric for recycled plastic raised garden beds. Products made of HDPE are reusable and recyclable.

All the same, since only most 30-35% of HDPE plastic used in America gets recycled each year, it'southward wise to use as picayune every bit possible. To cutting down, consider replacing your disposable produce bags with reusable alternatives.

#3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

PVC is a soft, flexible plastic used to make clear plastic food wrapping, cooking oil bottles, teething rings, children'south and pets' toys, and blister packaging for myriad consumer products. It is ordinarily used every bit the sheathing material for estimator cables, to make plastic pipes and parts for plumbing, and in garden hoses. Because PVC is relatively impervious to sunlight and weather condition, information technology is used to make window frames, garden hoses, arbors, raised beds and trellises.

PVC is dubbed the "toxicant plastic" because information technology contains numerous toxins which it can leach throughout its entire life cycle. Nearly all products using PVC require virgin cloth for their construction; less than 1% of PVC material is recycled.

Products fabricated using PVC plastic are not recyclable. While some PCV products can be repurposed, PVC products should not exist reused for applications with nutrient or for children's use.

To avoid items made with PVC plastic, consider replacing plastic food wrap with reusable beeswax wraps; plastic toys with reclaimed wool blimp animals; and your PVC garden hose with a Drinking H2o Condom Garden Hose.

#iv – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)

LDPE is often found in shrink wraps, dry cleaner garment bags, squeezable bottles, and the type of plastic bags used to parcel breadstuff. The plastic grocery bags used in virtually stores today are fabricated using LDPE plastic. Some clothing and furniture also uses this type of plastic.

LDPE is considered less toxic than other plastics, and relatively safe for use. It is not usually recycled, however, although this is changing in many communities today as more plastic recycling programs gear up to handle this material. When recycled, LDPE plastic is used for plastic lumber, landscaping boards, garbage can liners and floor tiles. Products made using recycled LDPE are not as hard or rigid equally those made using recycled HDPE plastic.

Products fabricated using LDPE plastic are reusable, simply non always recyclable. Yous need to check with your local collection service to see if they are accepting LDPE plastic items for recycling.

To cut downwards on the amount of LDPE that you consume, try replacing your plastic grocery numberless with fabric alternatives and taking a fabric bag to your local baker the next time you purchase a loaf of bread. You can also replace plastic sandwich bags with platinum silicone alternatives, which are heat condom.

#5 – PP (Polypropylene)

Polypropylene plastic is tough and lightweight, and has splendid rut-resistance qualities. Information technology serves as a barrier against moisture, grease and chemicals. When you try to open the sparse plastic liner in a cereal box, it is polypropylene. This keeps your cereal dry and fresh. PP is besides ordinarily used for dispensable diapers, pails, plastic canteen tops, margarine and yogurt containers, potato chip numberless, straws, packing tape and rope.

Polypropylene is recyclable through some curbside recycling programs, but only about 3% of PP products are currently being recycled in the U.s.a.. Recycled PP is used to brand landscaping edge stripping, battery cases, brooms, bins and trays. However, #5 plastic is today becoming more than accepted past recyclers.

PP is considered safe for reuse. To recycle products made from PP, check with your local curbside program to see if they are now accepting this material.

To cut down on how much PP you consume, opt for reusable straws instead of plastic ones, reusable water bottles, and material diapers.

#half dozen – PS (Polystyrene)

Polystyrene is an inexpensive, lightweight and hands-formed plastic with a wide variety of uses. It is most oft used to make disposable foam drinking cups, take-out "clamshell" food containers, egg cartons, plastic picnic cutlery, foam packaging and those ubiquitous "peanut" foam fries used to fill aircraft boxes to protect the contents. Polystyrene is also widely used to brand rigid foam insulation and underlay sheeting for laminate floor used in home structure.

Because polystyrene is structurally weak and ultra-lightweight, it breaks up easily and is dispersed readily throughout the natural environment. Beaches all over the world have bits of polystyrene lapping at the shores, and an untold number of marine species have ingested this plastic with immeasurable consequences to their wellness.

Polystyrene may leach styrene, a possible homo carcinogen, into food products (especially when heated in a microwave). Chemicals present in polystyrene have been linked with human health and reproductive system dysfunction.

Recycling is not widely available for polystyrene products. Well-nigh curbside collection services volition non accept polystyrene, which is why this material accounts for about 35% of The states landfill material. While the applied science for recycling polystyrene is available, the market for recycling is small. Awareness amidst consumers has grown, however, and polystyrene is existence reused more than often. While information technology is difficult to find a recycler for PS, some businesses like Mailboxes Etc. which provide aircraft services are happy to receive cream packing chips for reuse.

Polystyrene should be avoided where possible.

To eliminate polystyrene from your trash, try a reusable coffee cup, compostable or reusable picnic cutlery, and stainless steel takeaway containers.

#seven – Other (BPA, Polycarbonate and LEXAN)

The #7 category was designed as a catch-all for polycarbonate (PC) and "other" plastics, so reuse and recycling protocols are non standardized within this category. Of master business concern with #7 plastics, however, is the potential for chemic leaching into food or drink products packaged in polycarbonate containers fabricated using BPA (Bisphenol A). BPA is a xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor.

Number seven plastics are used to make baby bottles, sippy cups, h2o cooler bottles and car parts. BPA is constitute in polycarbonate plastic food containers often marked on the bottom with the letters "PC" by the recycling label #7. Some polycarbonate water bottles are marketed equally 'not-leaching' for minimizing plastic taste or olfactory property, however there is still a possibility that trace amounts of BPA will migrate from these containers, especially if used to heat liquids.

A new generation of compostable plastics, fabricated from bio-based polymers like corn starch, is being developed to supplant polycarbonates. These are also included in category #7, which can exist confusing to the consumer. These compostable plastics accept the initials "PLA" on the bottom near the recycling symbol. Some may likewise say "Compostable."

#7 plastics are not for reuse, unless they have the PLA compostable coding. When possible it is best to avoid #seven plastics, specially for children's nutrient. Plastics with the recycling labels #one, #2 and #4 on the bottom are safer choices and do non contain BPA. PLA coded plastics should be thrown in the compost and not the recycle bin since PLA compostable plastics are not recyclable.

The plastics industry has conformed to regulations by applying the required codes to consumer products, but it is up to individuals to read and understand the codes. By understanding these uncomplicated classifications, we tin can best use plastics to our reward while minimizing the health and disposal issues that may otherwise ascend.

To avoid chemicals leaking into your foods from food packaging, try going homemade and storing your leftovers (or your lunches) in platinum silicone or stainless steel.

Related:
Are There Microplastics in Your Drinking Water?
Microbeads: The Smallest Ingredient in Our Plastic Soup

Well-nigh the Author

Greg Seaman
Originally from Long Island, NY, Greg Seaman founded Eartheasy in 2000 out of concern for the environment and a desire to help others live more sustainably. As Editor, Greg combines his upbringing in the cities of New York, Boston and San Francisco with the contrast of 31 years of living 'off-grid' to give u.s.a. a balanced perspective on sustainable living. Greg spends his free fourth dimension gardening, working on his home and building a wooden sailboat with hand tools.

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