Recycling By the Numbers

This week I’ve admitted to my previously mediocre attempts at recycling, and I also posted a handy list of recyclables. Today, I’ll explain exactly what the recycling numbers mean on the bottom of plastic containers, and I’ll share a few recycling conversations I had with readers this week.

What’s commonly recycled

Four kinds of plastics are commonly accepted through recycling programs. Not all programs may accept these plastics, though, so be sure to check first.

Number 1 Plastics

Also known as PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate), Number 1 plastics typically are found in water and soft drink bottles; peanut butter, cooking oil, and salad dressing containers; and mouthwash bottles. Number 1 plastic containers often are recycled into polar fleece, furniture, carpet, and tote bags.

Number 2 Plastics

Known as HDPE (high density polyethylene), Number 2 plastics make a variety of containers, including cereal box liners; household cleaner bottles, juice bottles; margarine and yogurt tubs, milk jugs; motor oil bottles; and shampoo bottles. Number 2 plastic containers can be recycled into plastic bottles, pens, and construction materials like benches, drainage pipe, fencing, floor tile, lumber, and picnic tables.

Number 5 Plastics

Known as PP (polypropylene), Number 5 plastics may be used as ketchup or syrup bottles, medicine bottles, yogurt containers, and straws. Number 5 plastic containers can be recycled into brooms and brushes, ice scrapers, rakes, bins, battery cables and auto battery cases, pallets, and bicycle racks.

What’s sometimes recycled

Number 4 Plastics

LDPE (low density polyethylene), is Number 4 plastic that’s used to make shopping bags, clothing, carpet, furniture, and squeezable bottles. If it’s recycled, Number 4 plastic can be turned into trash cans, compost bins, lumber, floor tile, paneling, and envelopes.

Number 6 Plastics

Known as PS (polystyrene), Number 6 plastics are what make Styrofoam. Number 6 plastics make disposable plates, cups, cartons and containers; compact disc cases, and medicine bottles. It’s not commonly recycled, but it can be recycled into insulation, egg cartons, foam packing, vents, and carry-out containers.

What’s rarely recycled

PVC or vinyl is often found in shower curtains, clear food packaging, medical equipment, windows, pipes, and siding. If it is recycled (which rarely happens), it can turn into decks, paneling, gutters, speed bumps, and mats.

Number 7 Plastics

Number 7 plastics comprise the catch-all category – anything from polycarbonate to plastic resins are part of this miscellaneous group. Number 7 plastics are found in 3- and 5-gallon water bottles, sunglasses, DVDs, nylon, and iPod cases.

Recycling questions

This week, my friend Jacqueasked if it’s necessary to rinse cans and bottle before recycling – and if labels should be removed.

It’s necessary both to rinse cans and bottles before recycling and to remove labels. Just in case you’re interested, Post-it notes, staples, and cellophane windows don’t have to be removed from paper products when recycling.

Jacque also wondered if plastic screw-on lids should be left off of plastic bottles when recycling. Plastic lids should be left off plastic bottles and thrown away in the trash.

One more thing that needs to go straight to the garbage can? Food packaging that’s a combination of plastic and foil.

For other recycling questions and answers, check out the informative site Recyclable or Not?.

Recycling suggestions

One of my friends, Allison, encouraged me that recycling doesn’t have to be difficult. She wrote:

“Our garage is attached and we bought five cheap trash cans one for returnable glass bottles, one for returnable cans/plastic, one for plastics, glass and tin cans, one for paper, and one for cardboard (which is how we have to sort.) I break down cardboard (cereal boxes, etc.) as we finish them, as well as rinse out containers when I rinse dishes. Then we toss them into the garage bins.

“I purchased a ceramic compost container for the kitchen along with filters and biodegradable bags from Gardener Supply Company. It sits next to kitchen sink and does not look ugly (blends in and looks like a crock). I take compost out about every 2-3 days (we eat a lot of fresh veggies and fruit). With the biodegradable bags, I don’t have to wash the crock out all the time. And it’s easier to take out to the compost pile. We are down to almost one trash bag a week – sometimes just a half.”

Talk back

What are easy recycling solutions you’ve found?