Are You A Recycling Guru?
Every community needs recycling champions! Want to dazzle them with your knowledge of plastic recycling?
Plastic recycling as we know it, started in 1988, when the Society of the Plastics Industry implemented the recycling codes so that recyclers could properly sort the different types of plastic. The numbers, which represent the grade of plastic, range from 1-7 and are found in the recycling triangle on items that can be recycled. An item identified as #1 is the easiest to recycle, versus a #7 which is the hardest to recycle. Want a further explanation? Here goes:
#1 – PETE, also known as Polyethylene Terephthalate
As mentioned above, this is the easiest and most frequently recycled plastic. It is found in soda and water bottles, peanut butter and salad dressing bottles and food packages. PETE is the material typically used to create recycled plastic apparel since it can be re-purposed into polyester fibers. In addition to fabric, PETE can be recycled into carpet, auto parts, construction parts, straps and more.
#2 – HDPE, also known as High Density Polyethylene
HDPE is strong and durable and highly recyclable. It is found in items such as laundry detergent bottles, milk containers, bleach containers, motor oil bottles, plastic furniture and plastic lumber and is typically recycled into bottles or bags.
#3 PVC, also known as Polyvinyl Chloride
PVC is found in toys, furniture, pipes, construction materials, medical products – it’s virtually everywhere! It is prolific and unfortunately, still presents recycling challenges.
#4 LDPE, also known as Low Density Polyethylene
This is found in food packaging, industrial packaging such as shrink wrap, sandwich bags, dry cleaning bags, grocery bags and the like. It is typically recycled into more plastic packaging and bags.
#5 PP, also known as Polypropylene
Polypropylene can be found in plastic tubs, tupperware, yogurt containers, ropes, medicine bottles, some bottle caps and most straws. This can be recycled into heavy duty items such as ice scrapers, battery cables, rakes and pallets.
6 PS, also known as Polystyrene
Polystyrene is styrofoam. Just take a look around the lunchroom to see the cups, plates, trays, to go containers that are made of styrofoam. Remember too, the packing peanuts that were included in your last delivery. Polystyrene is notorious for leaching and is difficult to recycle because it’s bulky but has very little weight. When recycled, it is often used in insulation.
#7 Other
This is the catch all category. It’s generally a mixture of the plastics above. It is difficult to recycle and often contains BPA which is a toxic chemical and hormone disruptor which should be avoided where possible.
So now that you’ve mastered the numbers of recycling, there’s one last step to claim your official “Recycling Guru” title; that is - look into the rules of recycling specific to you community. Remember, recycling varies from community to community so learn the rules that apply and be a champion for proper recycling with your friends and neighbors. Congratulations, Guru!
Resources:
- https://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/recycling-by-the-numbers.html
- https://www.greenmatters.com/renewables/2018/09/13/ZG59GA/plastic-recycling-numbers-resin-codes
- http://www.petresin.org/recycling.asp
- https://www.generalkinematics.com/blog/different-types-plastics-recycled/