Plastic Recycling

Recycling plastics is one of the simplest things you can do for the environment.  You may have noticed a symbol on many plastic materials, a triangle with a number 1-7 in the middle.  Here’s what they mean:

1: Most common for single-use bottled beverages, salad dressing containers, mouth wash bottles.  Can be picked up through most curbside programs.

2: Used heavily in packaging.  Milk jugs, shampoo bottles, yogurt tubs.  Most can be picked up through curbside programs.

3: Used for PVC piping and siding.  Contains toxins when burned.  Rarely recycled.

4: Used for plastic shopping bags, squeezable bottles.  While this plastic has rarely been recycled, curbside recycling programs are increasingly accepting it.

5: Used for straws, medicine bottles, and containers for hot liquids.  Curbside programs are gradually accepting it.

6: Used in hard plastics like CD cases and Styrofoam.  This plastic is notoriously difficult to recycle and many programs do not accept it.

7: Used in everything from computer cases to bulletproof materials.  Typically not recycled.