Plastic Recycling Numbers — What do they mean?

All those little numbers on the sides of our plastic bottles, jugs, and containers can be confusing.

What type of plastic does the symbol mean? Can it really be recycled? Which one should I buy if I want to recycle it easily?

In this short guide, we’ll look at each of the numbers, what they mean, and how we can make a difference by making smart buying decisions.

Plastic Recycling Numbers

Plastic Recycling Symbol #1: PET or PETE

This is one of the most common types of plastic and one of the easiest to recycle.

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is used for single-use drink bottles, like soda, water, etc. Even though the material is in high demand for manufacturers, only about 20% of it gets recycled. This is because consumers don’t make the effort to recycle every item, and there aren’t recycling containers everywhere.

PET is clear, durable, and can simply be put into the curbside recycle bin.

Plastic Recycling Symbol #2: HDPE

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a plastic that can be used for many applications. It doesn’t leach chemicals easily and recycles them into almost anything. HDPE is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaner bottles, yogurt tubs, and cereal box liners. It will often come back as jug or bottle again or I might be made into a park bench or a doghouse.

HDPE can usually be put right into your curbside container.

Plastic Recycling Symbol #3: PVC

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a tough plastic that weathers well. It’s used for shampoo bottles, plastic tubing, kids’ toys, shrink sleeves, and more. While this plastic is very common, it can’t be recycled. The only way to keep PVC out of the landfill is to incinerate it, and then it produces toxic fumes.

Plastic Recycling Symbol #4: LDPE

Low-density polyethylene is also very common. It’s used for plastic shopping bags, sliced bread bags, fresh produce, and more.

While you can’t throw any of this into the recycle bin, if it’s clean and dry, LDPE can be recycled at your local store along with shopping bags. Many stores already have practice, including Walmart, Target, Kroeger, which have bins at the entrance where you can put shopping bags. This is the best way to keep the 100 billion shopping bags we use every year out of the ecosystem.

Plastic Recycling Symbol #5: PP

Polypropylene is used for yogurt containers, sour cream, and margarine. This is a very common plastic that not every community recycles. The biggest issue is that it needs to be washed out. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be relatively clean inside, so it doesn’t contaminate the recycling stream.

Many communities recycle this plastic, but you might need to check.

Plastic Recycling Symbol #6: Polystyrene

PS (polystyrene) is known by its brand name, Styrofoam. It can often be recycled, but it must be clean. Here’s an irony: It is easier to recycle a clean Styrofoam cup than a paper coffee cup. The paper cup has a plastic coating in it that makes the paper no longer recyclable.

While PS can usually be thrown into the recycle bin, the best way to avoid the coffee cup dilemma is to use your own cup. Starbucks sells coffee cups that will last for years for a symbolic amount.

Plastic Recycling Symbol#7: Everything else

This is the catchall for other types of plastics that are harder to recycle or for items that contain multiple plastics. Many municipalities will take #7 plastic.

Recycling is easier when you know what’s expected and how you can help. Check with your waste company or local community to find out the rules.

The three biggest issues: 1) Don’t put plastic bags or plastic wrap in the recycle bin. 2) Clean everything at least enough so there aren’t large hunks of food. 3) Don’t put contaminated products in the recycling, like a pizza box full of cheese.