By Marlayna King
What are they? How do I know what type my bottle is? Can I recycle it?
If you've ever looked at the bottom of your plastic bottle, styrofoam cup, or cafeteria tray you might notice that there is a small symbol on the bottom that looks like a triangle made up of arrows with some number on the inside. This is what lets you know which type of plastic it is. But why is this useful? It’s useful because it lets you know what kind of plastic the object is made of, and if it is safe to be recycled, reused, etc.
Type 1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)
PET is most commonly used for food and beverage packaging, water, soda, etc. Essentially all 2-liter bottles in the US are made from PET. It is also found in packaging for shampoo bottles, salad dressing, hand soap, and many other everyday items. PET is fully recyclable, and is a very sustainable/energy efficient packaging material. You can and should recycle this type of plastic.
Type 2: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Since high-density polyethylene is very strong and durable, it can most commonly be found in plastic bottles, toys, chemical containers, and pipe systems. HDPE is also recyclable and cost-effective.
Type 3: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC-U)
The most commonly known objects made of PVC, also known as vinyl plastic, are clear bottles, food trays, toys such as rubber ducks, etc. Vinyl plastic is more fragile and can damage easier than others. Unfortunately, this type is not typically able to be recycled.
Type 4: Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Things made from LDPE are not able to be recycled through the recycling center, but you can recycle some things in your own home! LDPE products are things like plastic grocery bags, plastic wrap, and plastic wrapping. The grocery bags we get from the store have so many uses in our homes that also keep them out of the landfills. So while this type technically cannot be recycled, there is still a way to do your part.
Type 5: Polypropylene (PP)
PP has been approved by the FDA for contact with food, so this is what most of the containers in your fridge are made out of. Like butter, yogurt, sour cream, etc. It also has a high tolerance to heat, so it is used in packaging of foods that go in the microwave. Generally, PP cannot be recycled and is headed for the landfill in most cases, but as technology develops, lots of companies have found ways to incorporate PP into their products, such as rugs, rope, clothing material, blankets, and more to keep them partially away from the landfill.
Type 6: Polystyrene or Styrofoam (PS)
The sixth type of plastic is styrofoam, which can be found in (but not limited to) cups, packaging items like packing peanuts, coolers, and to-go containers. These objects made from styrofoam cannot be recycled and will end up in the landfills.
Type 7: Other
Any type 7 plastic is generally anything that doesn't fit into the 6 categories listed above. According to Miller Recycling, “Products stamped with a 7 are often made out of multiple plastic types or out of other types of plastic that can’t easily be recycled.”
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