You might have glimpsed numbers on the bottoms of plastic containers and bottles. Are you aware of their meaning and how these numbers apply to sustainability and recycling practices?

When it comes to recycling and eco-friendliness, all plastics are not created equal. Some are less harmful to the environment than others. Knowing the meanings of these numbers can help you to make greener decisions about your food, drink and product purchases.

Playing the Numbers Game with the Environment

Every plastic container has a recycling number symbol within a triangle. This system ranges from 1 to 7 and relates to its biodegradability, the amount of toxic chemicals within the plastic, how likely it is to leach into the environment, and ultimately how safe it is.

The following is an overview of the plastics that each recycling number refers to:

#1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)

This thin plastic-type is made into bottles used for water, soda, and various household products. It is usually clear and can begin to accumulate bacteria if reused. It can be recycled into many items including carpet, tote bags, paneling, furniture and even polar fleece.

#2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

This plastic type tends to be opaque in color. It is used for shampoo and conditioner bottles, yogurt containers, milk jugs, butter tubs and detergent jugs. It can be recycled into plastic picnic tables, recycling containers, pens, fences, detergent bottles and more.

#3. Vinyl (V or PVC)

This plastic type is used in food wrappers and pipes for plumbing; however, it is usually not picked up in curbside recycling programs. This type of plastic contains phthalates and DEHA, which can cause multiple health problems including miscarriages, developmental issues and cancer. This plastic can be recycled into flooring, decking material and roadway speed bumps.

#4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

This softer plastic is used for shopping bags, squeezable bottles, clothing and some food wrappers. It can be recycled into compost bins, trash cans and liners, floor tiles and sturdy envelopes.

#5. Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is used in ketchup bottles, medicine containers, syrup bottles and some yogurt containers. It can be recycled into mops, brooms, bins, pallets, auto battery cases, traffic signal lights and other hard plastic consumer products.

#6. Polystyrene (PS – also known as Styrofoam)

Styrofoam has a bad reputation in terms of recycling and sustainability – and rightfully so. It can leach toxic chemicals into the environment and is generally not accepted into recycling programs. Avoid buying products with Styrofoam packaging whenever possible. However, there are ways to recycle it into egg cartons, meat trays, insulation and foam packing used in shipping.

#7. “Other Plastics” (Miscellaneous)

Any plastic that can’t be classified in the above six areas is labeled with a 7. Most contain toxic polycarbonates and bisphenol-A (BPA), which act as hormone disruptors that can cause reproductive issues, infertility and hyperactivity. Sunglasses, electronics cases, nylon and bulletproof materials are all in this category. These items can be recycled into synthetic building materials and custom products.

While avoiding the use of plastics is the most eco-friendly approach, the categories of 2, 4 and 5 are generally considered the safest and least toxic.

If you have further questions or require assistance with any type of recycling, contact LRS for more information and a range of helpful services.

You might have glimpsed numbers on the bottoms of plastic containers and bottles. Are you aware of their meaning and how these numbers apply to sustainability and recycling practices?

When it comes to recycling and eco-friendliness, all plastics are not created equal. Some are less harmful to the environment than others. Knowing the meanings of these numbers can help you to make greener decisions about your food, drink and product purchases.

Playing the Numbers Game with the Environment

Every plastic container has a recycling number within a triangular symbol. This numeric system ranges from 1 to 7 and relates to the plastic’s biodegradability, the amount of toxic chemicals within the plastic, how likely it is to leach into the environment, and ultimately how safe it is.

The following is an overview of the plastics that each recycling number refers to and whether it is recyclable at LRS Facilities:

#1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)

Recyclable at LRS

This thin plastic type is made into bottles used for water, soda, and various household products. It is usually clear and can begin to accumulate bacteria if reused. It can be recycled into many items including new bottles, carpet, tote bags, paneling, furniture and even polar fleece.

#2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Recyclable at LRS Facilities

This plastic type tends to be opaque in color. It is used for shampoo and conditioner bottles, yogurt containers, milk jugs, butter tubs and detergent jugs. It can be recycled into plastic picnic tables, recycling containers, pens, fences, detergent bottles and more.

#3. Vinyl (V or PVC)

Not recyclable in LRS curbside programs

This plastic type is used in food wrappers and pipes for plumbing; however, it is usually not picked up in curbside recycling programs. This type of plastic contains phthalates and DEHA, which can cause multiple health problems. This plastic can be recycled into flooring, decking material and roadway speed bumps when it is recycled at Construction and Demolition (C&D) facilities.

#4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Not recyclable in LRS curbside programs

This softer plastic is used for shopping bags, squeezable bottles, clothing and some food wrappers. Bring your clean plastic shopping bags to a local grocery store or pharmacy for recycling.

#5. Polypropylene (PP)

Recyclable at LRS Facilities

Polypropylene is used in ketchup bottles, medicine containers, syrup bottles and some yogurt containers. It can be recycled into mops, brooms, bins, pallets, auto battery cases, traffic signal lights and other hard plastic consumer products.

#6. Polystyrene (PS – also known as Styrofoam)

Not recyclable at LRS Facilities

Styrofoam has a bad reputation in terms of recycling and sustainability – and rightfully so. It can leach toxic chemicals into the environment and is generally not accepted into recycling programs. Avoid buying products with Styrofoam packaging whenever possible.

#7. “Other Plastics” (Miscellaneous)

Not recyclable at LRS Facilitie

Any plastic that can’t be classified in the above six areas is labeled with a 7. Most contain toxic polycarbonates and bisphenol-A (BPA), which act as hormone

disruptors that can cause reproductive issues, infertility and hyperactivity. Sunglasses, electronics cases, nylon and bulletproof materials are all in this category. These items can be recycled into synthetic building materials and custom products.

While avoiding the use of plastics is the most eco-friendly approach, the categories of 2, 4 and 5 are generally considered the safest and least toxic. If you have further questions or require assistance with any type of recycling, contact LRS for more information and a range of helpful services.