I have a bil who has lots of room in his recycle can for my plastic, but it's a 3 hr. trip to his house. So I want to save it up & take it with me the next time I'm over there. But I'm confused about the symbols on the bottom of the plastic containers. Where can I find out what they mean? I'm new to plastic recycling & get lost in the online search. Thanks for all your help.

The numbers tell you what type of plastic the item is made from.

Ask your bil what numbers are accepted for recycling in his area - different areas have different rules. Ask him all the rules for recycling in his area and save according to those rules.

Dah.... why didn't I think of that!! This year got off to a rough start, & I must admit I'm not thinking on all 6 cyn. Thank you so very much. I will email bil and see what he has to say.

trashcrafter, if you know the name of his trash company they will sometimes have a website listing what they do and don't accept.

Since you're going to be traveling with the recycle stuff anyway, are there any local companies who accept the recycled plastics but just don't pick up?

Scroll down through this site and your question will be answered.

symbol site

Most recycling centers take 1 and 2.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: M-ma,

Most plastic continers have a triangle stamped on them/ surprised me to see that triangle on top & bottom of a lumchmeat package!

Recycling is a STATE option 0 hopefully every state & more communities will get a cue

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tessa89,

here is a comprehensive guide to basic recycling. But just cuz it has a triangle does not mean it's automatically recyclable.

the basic codes are...
* Type 1 - PETE Polyethylene Terephthalate(PET) Soda & water containers, some waterproof packaging.

* Type 2 - HDPE High-Density Polyethylene Milk, detergent & oil bottles. Toys and plastic bags.

* Type 3 - V Vinyl/Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Food wrap, vegetable oil bottles, blister packages.

* Type 4 - LDPE Low-Density Polyethylene Many plastic bags. Shrink wrap, garment bags.

* Type 5 - PP Polypropylene Refrigerated containers, some bags, most bottle tops, some carpets, some food wrap.

* Type 6 - PS Polystyrene Throwaway utensils, meat packing, protective packing.

* Type 7 - OTHER Usually layered or mixed plastic. No recycling potential - must be landfilled.

and about #6 PS. this code covers BOTH things like to go soda cups AND styrofoam. Now soda cups and plastic to go containers are generally recyclable BUT you really have to search to recycle styrofoam. so don't throw styrofoam in with your other #6 plastic if they do take #6

Thanks every one for all your help. I love that Arizona Diet Green tea and it comes in the big gallon plastic jugs. They work nice for lots of things like watering plants & storing gray wataer in, but dh just hates them stacked in all the corners, so I gotta get rid of a few of them from time to time. I'm not sure we will ever get a place to recycle plastic around here. We have a close place for paper, & dh does save his popcans & sells them, but I have to hide all the cardboard from him or he puts it in the garbage can. Go figure, glad my bil is helping me out with the plastic.

quote:

* Type 7 - OTHER Usually layered or mixed plastic. No recycling potential - must be landfilled.

I can recycle 7 in my town. The OJ we drink comes in a 7 and it says on the bottom that it is compatible with HDPE plastic. The layered plastics add different types of plastic to improve and lengthen the shelf life of the food stored in it. We can also recycle milk cartons, TetraPak containers and juice boxes. Now if they would just take polystyrene and other packaging (clamshell type).

Does anyone know if those bags inside cereal boxes are recyclable along with your plastic bags?...likewise the plastic chip bags?

I did not know milk cartons and oj containers were recyclable because of their waxy finish...guess I should call my recycling peeps....every little bit helps.

I read last week that many dumps are 40% paper....seems that is the easiest thing to recycle around here.

What is recyclable depends on waht recycling resoruces you have available.

We used to not be able to take #7 but now we can. I odn't know what exactly they do with them. Some are compatable w/other plastics. I was thinking that maby they ground them up for something. Who knows.

And I wonder how much stuff these places that take everything really recycle. I wonder if htey take it so that it can be compacted to be discarded rather than thrown away random and loose.