Recycling Symbols on Plastics

There are hundreds of different types and molds of plastics. Limited markets for recycling these plastics mean that we can recycle only a few. Understanding which few can seem tricky, but it is very important that we recycle only the exact types of plastic that the market wants. If we send them the wrong materials they will reject our shipment and then we will have no market for any plastic.

It can be misleading and frustrating to see the recycling symbol on a plastic container that cannot be recycled. Just be sure you understand what plastic your hauler or your town drop-off center accepts and don't be swayed by little recycling symbols on containers.

If it's #2, it's recyclable, right?
Not always. Although two containers might say #2 on them -- a detergent bottle, and a yogurt tub -- only the bottle is recyclable around here at this time. The number "2" on the bottom indicates that both are made from the same type of resin, that is high density poly ethylene HDPE. But plastics are made up of chains of molecules linked together, so even though we know the chain links are made of HDPE, we don't know how long the chains are. For containers with a neck -- that is to say bottles -- they are produced through a blow-mold process, where the melted resin is blown like a balloon in to a mold. To make a stretchy balloon resin you need really long chains of plastic. On the other hand, tubs are produced by injecting the melted resin into a mold, so the chains need to be short so as to squish into all parts of the mold. So the yogurt tub is made of short HDPE, and the detergent bottle is made of long HDPE. But that is not indicated on the container, making it confusing!

And short HDPE is harder to make into new products, so there are very few places around the country who take the material to make into new stuff. Around here, it just is not feasible to collect and store these plastic tubs for recycling.

How do I tell the difference?
If the container has a neck--that is, the opening is smaller than its base--it is recyclable. This category includes milk jugs, detergent bottles, and peanut butter jars. If the container is more of a tub, it's not recyclable. This category includes yogurt and margarine tubs.

What Each Number Means
(For even more detail than this, see:
http://www.americanplasticscouncil.org/benefits/about_plastics/resin_codes/resin.html )

#1 - Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) or (PET). Polyester is its nickname.
Used for: soft drink and water bottles, beer bottles, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter and salad dressing containers, ovenable film, ovenable pre-prepared food trays.
Recycled into: Polar fleece clothing, fiber, tote bags, bottles, clothing, furniture, carpet.

#2 - High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
Used for: milk, water and juice containers, trash and retail bags, liquid detergent bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, cereal box liners.
Recycled into: liquid laundry detergent containers, drainage pipe, oil bottles, recycling bins, benches, pens, doghouses, vitamin bottles, floor tile, picnic tables, lumber, mailbox posts, fencing.

#3 - Vinyl (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC)
Used for: Clear food packaging, shampoo bottles, medical tubing, wire and cable insulation. There has been increasing concern over the potential toxicity of PVC, watch the media for developments.

#4 - Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Used for: Bread bags, frozen food bags, squeezable bottles (e.g. honey, mustard).

#5 - Polypropylene (PP)
Used for: Ketchup bottles, yogurt containers and margarine tubs, medicine bottles

#6 - Polystyrene (PS)
Used for: Compact disc jackets, food service applications, grocery store meat trays, egg cartons, aspirin bottles, cups, plates.

#7 - Other: Use of this code indicates that the package in question is made with a resin other than the six listed above, or is made of more than one resin used in combination.
Used for: Three and five gallon reusable water bottles, some citrus juice and ketchup bottles

Resin Identification Factoid:
The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) introduced its resin identification coding system in 1988 at the urging of recyclers around the country. A growing number of communities were implementing recycling programs in an effort to decrease the volume of waste subject to tipping fees at landfills. In some cases, these programs were driven by state-level recycling mandates. The SPI code was developed to meet recyclers' needs while providing manufacturers a consistent, uniform system that could apply nationwide. Because municipal recycling programs traditionally targeted packaging--primarily containers--the SPI coding system offered a means of identifying the resin content of bottles and containers commonly found in the residential waste stream. Recycling firms have varying standards for the plastics they accept. Some firms may require that the plastics be sorted by type and separated from other recyclables; some may specify that mixed plastics are acceptable if they are separated from other recyclables; while others may accept all material mixed together. Not all types of plastics are generally recycled, and recycling facilities may not be available in some areas.

Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste Management District
96 Mill Street, PO Box 58, No. Hartland, VT 05052-0058
Phone (802)296-3688  |  Fax 281-7088  |  E-mail GUVSWD@valley.net