Trash Vortex Awareness

Recycle Codes:

	Polyethylene Terephthalate This is one of the most common materials for soft drinks bottles. PETE can be recycled but be sure to throw away the bottle caps as these are normally made from a non-recyclable plastic.
	High Density Polyethylene HDPE tends to be used for plastic milk cartons with a "frosted" white look. Only the white bottles can be recycled. Coloured plastic bottles cannot. Again, be sure to throw away bottle caps as these are normally made from a non-recyclable plastic.
	Polyvinyl Chloride Despite only having a "V" under the symbol, this plastic is what we would more commonly refer to as PVC. Bottles made from PVC are normally for fruit juices and cordials and will have a seam running vertically down both sides where the two halves are joined. These bottles can be recycled but be sure to throw away the caps as these are normally made from a non-recyclable plastic.
	Low Density Polyethylene LDPE is normally used for wrapping film, grocery bags and sandwich bags. Generally LDPE items aren't accepted in kerb-side recycling programmes and should be thrown away with the normal rubbish or taken to a specialist plastic recycling centre.
	Polypropylene This is used for yoghurt tubs, dessert tubs and other food storage containers. These items aren't generally accepted in kerb-side recycling programmes and should be thrown away with the normal rubbish or taken to a specialist plastic recycling centre.
	Polystyrene Polystyrene seems to be everywhere nowadays. It's used for, amongst other things, disposable coffee cups, meat packing trays and is commonly used as packing for fragile goods when they're being shipped. These items aren't generally accepted in kerb-side recycling programmes and should be thrown away with the normal rubbish or taken to a specialist plastic recycling centre.
	Other This category basically covers any plastics not covered by the other six categories. These plastics are normally a mix of other types. Due to the hybrid nature of these plastics there's not really any use for recycling them so they should be thrown out with the normal rubbish or taken to a specialist plastic recycling centre.

Number 1 Plastics -- PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)

Found In: Soft drinks, water and beer bottles; mouthwash bottles; peanut butter containers; salad dressing and vegetable oil containers; ovenable food trays.

Recycling: Pick up through most curbside recycling programs.

Recycled Into: Polar fleece, fiber, tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling, straps, (occasionally) new containers

It poses low risk of leaching breakdown products. Recycling rates remain relatively low (around 20 percent), though the material is in high demand by remanufacturers.

Number 2 Plastics -- HDPE (high density polyethylene)

Found In: Milk jugs, juice bottles; bleach, detergent and household cleaner bottles; shampoo bottles; some trash and shopping bags; motor oil bottles; butter and yogurt tubs; cereal box liners

Recycling: Pick up through most curbside recycling programs, although some only allow those containers with necks.

Recycled Into: Laundry detergent bottles, oil bottles, pens, recycling containers, floor tile, drainage pipe, lumber, benches, doghouses, picnic tables, fencing

HDPE carries low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many goods.

Number 3 Plastics -- V (Vinyl) or PVC

Found In: Window cleaner and detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, wire jacketing, medical equipment, siding, windows, piping

Recycling: Rarely recycled; accepted by some plastic lumber makers.

Recycled Into: Decks, paneling, mudflaps, roadway gutters, flooring, cables, speed bumps, mats

PVC contains chlorine, so its manufacture can release highly dangerous dioxins. If you must cook with PVC, don't let the plastic touch food. Never burn PVC, because it releases toxins.

Number 4 Plastics -- LDPE (low density polyethylene)

Found In: Squeezable bottles; bread, frozen food, dry cleaning and shopping bags; tote bags; clothing; furniture; carpet

Recycling: LDPE is not often recycled through curbside programs, but some communities will accept it. Plastic shopping bags can be returned to many stores for recycling.

Recycled Into: Trash can liners and cans, compost bins, shipping envelopes, paneling, lumber, landscaping ties, floor tile

Historically, LDPE has not been accepted through most American curbside recycling programs, but more and more communities are starting to accept it.

Number 5 Plastics -- PP (polypropylene)

Found In: Some yogurt containers, syrup bottles, ketchup bottles, caps, straws, medicine bottles

Recycling: Number 5 plastics can be recycled through some curbside programs.

Recycled Into: Signal lights, battery cables, brooms, brushes, auto battery cases, ice scrapers, landscape borders, bicycle racks, rakes, bins, pallets, trays

Polypropylene has a high melting point, and so is often chosen for containers that must accept hot liquid. It is gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers.

Number 6 Plastics -- PS (polystyrene)

Found In: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carry-out containers, aspirin bottles, compact disc cases

Recycling: Number 6 plastics can be recycled through some curbside programs.

Recycled Into: Insulation, light switch plates, egg cartons, vents, rulers, foam packing, carry-out containers

Polystyrene can be made into rigid or foam products -- in the latter case it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam. Evidence suggests polystyrene can leach potential toxins into foods. The material was long on environmentalists' hit lists for dispersing widely across the landscape, and for being notoriously difficult to recycle.

Number 7 Plastics -- Miscellaneous

Found In: Three- and five-gallon water bottles, 'bullet-proof' materials, sunglasses, DVDs, iPod and computer cases, signs and displays, certain food containers, nylon

Recycling: Number 7 plastics have traditionally not been recycled, though some curbside programs now take them.

Recycled Into: Plastic lumber, custom-made products

A wide variety of plastic resins that don't fit into the previous categories are lumped into number 7. A few are even made from plants (polyactide) and are compostable. Polycarbonate is number 7, and is the hard plastic that has parents worried these days, after studies have shown it can leach potential hormone disruptors.