One question people often ask regarding the recycling of plastic items is "What do the different numbers on plastic containers stand for and what do they have to do with recycling?". Understanding the meaning of the number on any plastic item is important as it can help determine whether you can recycle that item.
Plastics are classified into 1 of 7 categories, which are used to help recycling workers and collectors identify what the type of plastic and whether it should be recycled or disposed of. The 7 categories can be summarized as the following:
Category 1: PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) - This it most recyclable and is the transparent type of plastic used to make bottles for water, soda, mouthwash, ketchup, salad dressing, peanut butter, jam, and pickles, as well as microwavable food trays. Recycled PET is used in fibers to make yarn and clothing. Its nickname is more commonly known as polyester.
Category 2: HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) - This type of plastic is more opaque than Category 1 plastics but is also highly recyclable. Containers within this category typically store materials with a short shelf life (e.g., milk) and household chemicals (e.g. laundry detergent and bleach).
Category 3: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) - PVC is a very opaque and sturdy plastic typically used in pipes, shampoo bottles, medical tubing, window cleaner spray bottles, clamshells, shrink wrap, and bags used to store bedding materials.
Category 4: LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) - This type of plastic is also used in squeezable bottles for condiments, shrink wrap, coatings on paper milk containers and hot and cold beverage cups, and bags for groceries, bread, frozen food, fresh produce, etc.
Category 5: PP (Polypropylene) - These plastics are strong and have a high melting point; therefore, they are often used to contain hot liquids. PP plastics are also used to store yogurt, margarine, and syrup, and are used in many types of medicine bottles.
Category 6: PS (Polystyrene) - PS is versatile in that it can be made into the soft protective foam used for packaging and packing peanuts or into a hard plastic used to store such items as DVDs or CDs. It is also used in disposable plates, cups, and cutlery, aspirin bottles, take-out containers, egg cartons, coat hangers, and housing for electronics.
Category 7: OTHER - All plastics that do not fall within any of the previous 6 categories fall into Category 7. Plastics within this category are used in 3- and 5-gallon reusable water containers, over-baking bags, and some citrus juice and ketchup bottles.
As was mentioned above, the seven categories are used to help identify whether your local area (e.g., county or municipality) has the facilities for recycling a particular type of plastic. Most plastic items cannot currently be recycled within the United States; in fact, according to the EPA, only 8.5% of plastic is recycled primarily for this reason. Only Categories 1 and 2 are readily recycled within most localities, while Category 5 is also increasingly being recycled. Some recycling facilities (e.g., those servicing Montgomery County, MD) support the recycling of all seven categories but still may have restrictions on particular types of plastic items that cannot be recycled (e.g., compostable items, non-bottle plastics, plastic utensils, straws, etc.). Make sure to check with your county or municipality for recycling policies and restrictions. Performing a quick internet search in my own local area (i.e., "montgomery county plastic recycling") brought up the full policy for Montgomery County, MD, which can be viewed at this link. Throwing plastics other than those included on the "accepted" list will make the recycling process much less efficient as more energy and resources need to be expended to filter out and dispose of these items.
Objective
Minimize the number of plastic items you are recycling or disposing of. When deciding whether to recycle or dispose of an item, consider the following:
Ensure that the type of plastic (e.g., plastic categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7) and item type are recyclable in your local area. A simple internet search should help find this information.
Verify that all parts of the item (e.g., bottle and cap) are recyclable and separate any parts that are from different categories to assist in the recycling process.
Make sure the item has been cleaned thoroughly.
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