The following is a post from Ideal Bite (used with permission).
Plotting your plastic recyclables' next move? O, well, let us help you plan their X-it with our walk-through of the different kinds (check the Plastic Identification Code - the number in the little arrow symbol on the bottom of the container), which ones are safer for you in the first place, which are usually recyclable, and which ones aren't so much. Then check with your local recycling facility to see what types of plastics it accepts. Game on.
1. We're #1.
Plastics labeled #1 are PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) and fall into the safer plastics category, since they're not known to leach any toxic by-products (such as BPA, which is linked to cancer). Disposable water bottles, peanut butter jars, and TV dinner trays are typically made of PET. These can usually go in the recycling bin no problem.
2. Takes 2 to tango.
The #2 plastics are made of HDPE (high-density polyethylene), which also has a low leaching risk. These include butter tubs, milk and juice jugs, household cleaner containers, and shampoo bottles, and you can usually toss them straight in your curbside recycling bin.
3. The 3 Rs.
Poor #3 plastic - it's in the not-so-recyclable and not-so-safe category. This type's PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and it's arguably the worst plastic for the planet and you. It can emit mercury, phthalates, and dioxins, which can cause reproductive abnormalities; and it's also usually not recyclable, so try to avoid it when possible. You'll often encounter it in cooking oil bottles, food packaging, and plastic wrap.
4. Free 4 all.
LDPE (low-density polyethylene) makes up our #4-labeled plastics. These include plastic grocery bags, produce bags, and food wrap, and the good news is that it has a low risk of leaching. Many curbside recycling programs will take your #4s, but if yours doesn't, see if your local grocery store will at least accept your plastic bags (if you're not already bringing your own).
5. Gimme 5.
Clap it up for #5 plastics - made of PP (polypropylene) - which include yogurt containers, straws, and syrup and ketchup bottles. You can usually toss these straight in the recycling bin, and they're not likely to release toxic chemicals into whatever they're containing.
6. Let's talk about 6, baby.
This one's a mixed bag. Made of PS (polystyrene), these plastics include stuff like egg cartons and Styrofoam, which can release styrene, a possible carcinogen, when heated. Thankfully, you can recycle some Styrofoam, like those little packing peanuts - reuse them by taking them back to a shipping company that accepts them in your area or just by packaging them in another box yourself.
7. Stairway to 7.
The #7 plastics fall into the somewhat ambiguous "other" category - some are safe, but others can contain BPA. With these plastics - which include things like gallon-size water bottles, baby bottles, compostable plastics (nontoxic and break down as fast as paper), and biodegradable plastics - it really just depends. Check out Earth 911 and enter your zip to find out where to send this stuff in your area.
8. Lid 'er rip.
The caps on a lot of containers are made of a different plastic than the container itself. And many recycling centers won't accept the caps and lids, since they're too small and can fall through or jam recycling equipment. The bright side: Aveda stores have a great take-back program for twist-on caps, which turns them into - what else? - new bottle caps. (Or for bonus points: Get in touch with your craftier side to reuse these babies.)
November 10th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Dont BPA's also leech in to your system...7s dont seem good to use as anything to drink out of. Great post, great list of the different types of plastics. It's really nice that there are actually number systems for the plastics we use.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Yay for recycling!!! I do this as much as I can, luckily where I live every house has a recycle bin and a trash can, I think we fill more in the recycling. I use all veggie remains to fertilize the garden.
thanks for the post!
The Miami Locksmith Guy
November 11th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Great list of tips if every one follow it we would be a much cleaner world
November 12th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Great post... it's great to know there are different types plastics. I really appreciate what your doing to get the word out about recycling and the huge importance!
November 12th, 2009 at 3:08 am
Good tips..this would create some awareness towards nature.
November 12th, 2009 at 5:27 am
It can be so hard to get your head around recycling and knowing what will and won't be accepted. I hadn't even realised that about plastic lids, but I suppose it make sense. Definitely helps to find somewhere that WILL accept them, though.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:14 am
I think the same measures should be taken concerning other rubbish - it will be much easier to preserve neatness of our cities and towns!
November 15th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Good tips for plastic recycling. Plastics are one of the top polluters on planet earth.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
It's nice to know what type of plastics we are using everyday. This could create awareness so that, though we can't really avoid not to use plastic totally, we can somehow avoid more harmful type of plastics.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
This is always a confusing topic as many people don't know which types of plastics to recycle and what each number means.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:29 am
fab! sharing on FB
November 20th, 2009 at 10:55 am
[...] Top 8 Plastics Recycling Tips @Focus Organic Share and Enjoy: [...]
November 20th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
FYI - #5 plastics are now recyclable at Whole Foods. Check with yours to see if they have the bin.
November 30th, 2009 at 1:53 am
We're recycling waste computers and get about a tonne of plastics from them each week. We had no idea that the numbers inside all these plastic bit related to the different forms of plastic used.
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:29 am
hello ...
thank you for this great tips.
use of plastic bags are harmful to the environment, its use should be reduced, or replace with a canvas bag.
thanks again
regards
Yanis