The numbers on plastic containers indicate what they're made of, not if they're recyclable.
On the bottom of most consumer plastics, there is a small number from 1 to 7, enclosed by a triangle of arrows. This symbol was designed by The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) in the late 1980s to make it easy to identify types of plastics used in manufacturing with a standard coding system. The symbol also helps recyclers more efficiently recycle the plastics. The number within the arrows denotes which of the six different types of resins the item is made from.
No. 1 PETE or PET
The easiest and most common plastic to recycle is polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), which is assigned the number 1. PETE is used for most transparent bottles, such as soda, water and medicine bottles. Once processed by a recycling facility, PETE can have a second life as fiberfill for winter coats, sleeping bags and life jackets. It's also used for rope, car bumpers, tennis ball felt, furniture and more plastic bottles.
No. 2 HDPE
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastics are marked with the number 2. HDPE is sturdier and more rigid than PETE, and it is used for heavier containers, such as laundry detergent and bleach bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles and motor oil containers. HDPE is often recycled into toys, piping, plastic lumber and rope.
No. 3 PVC
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is commonly used in plastic pipes, shrink wrap, shower curtains, medical tubing, vinyl and some plastic toys. PVC is usually not recyclable.
No. 4 LDPE
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has a number 4 on it. It's used for flexible plastic such as grocery, produce and sandwich bags, dry cleaning bags, and baby bottle liners. LDPE can be recycled into grocery and trash bags, plastic tubing and plastic lumber.
No. 5 PPE or PP
Polypropylene (PPE or PP) is a pliable plastic often found in squeeze bottles, reusable food containers, yogurt cups and margarine tubs. Sometimes it's used for drinking straws and bottle caps. PPE is not widely recycled.
No. 6 PS
Polystyrene (PS) products include coffee cups, rigid take-out food containers, disposable cutlery, meat trays, Styrofoam, packing peanuts and insulation. PS is difficult and costly to recycle.
No. 7 Mixed Plastics
Items labeled with a 7 are crafted from various combinations of plastics 1-6 or from unique plastic formulations not commonly used. Number 7 plastics are usually not recyclable.
