Recycling Numbers

Cities, towns and recycling stations will often only accept plastics for recycling which fall into specific numbered categories. Below is a complete listing of these catagories as well as a brief description and some samples of what products or containers fall into each.

Plastic Type		Acceptable Plastic	Recycled Products	Characteristics
	PET POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE	SOFT DRINK BOTTLES, PEANUT BUTTER JARS, MOUTHWASH, SALAD DRESSING, LIQUID DISH DETERGENT BOTTLES, ANY POST CONSUMER BOTTLES CODED #1	CARPETS, PAINT BRUSHES, LIQUID SOAP BOTTLES, INSULATION FOR CLOTHING, SURFBOARDS, HOUSEHOLD CLEANSER BOTTLES, SCOURING PADS, TENNIS BALLS	TOUGH; SHATTERPROOF
	HDPE HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE	MILK, WATER, JUICE, VINEGAR BOTTLES, SOME DAIRY TUBS & SOME LIQUID DETERGENT BOTTLES	DETERGENT & BLEACH BOTTLES, TRASH BAGS, TRASH CANS, PAILS, TOYS, PLASTIC LUMBER, FRISBEES, FLY SWATTERS, TRAFFIC BARRIERS	FLEXIBLE; TRANSLUCENT
	PVC POLYVINYL CHLORIDE	SHAMPOO BOTTLES, COOKING OIL BOTTLES, SOME COSMETIC BOTTLES, MINERAL WATER, SALAD DRESSING BOTTLES	FLOOR MATS, PIPES, HOSES, MUD FLAPS	CLEAR, HARDY, CHEMICAL RESISTANT
	LDPE LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE	FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS, DAIRY CONTAINER LIDS, FABRIC SOFTENER BOTTLES	GARBAGE CAN LINERS, GROCERY, LITTER & CONVENTION BAGS, FRISBEES, PLASTIC LUMBER & LAWN FURNITURE	TOUGH, LIGHTWEIGHT, FLEXIBLE, INERT; WATERPROOF
	PP POLYPROPYLENE	YOGURT CONTAINERS, MEDICINE BOTTLES, DELI CONTAINERS, COSMETIC CONTAINERS, FROZEN JUICE CANS	BROOMS, SNOW BRUSHES, PAINT BUCKETS, VIDEO CASSETTE CASES, FAST FOOD TRAYS, LAWN MOWER WHEELS, BATTERY PARTS, ICE SCRAPERS	GOOD TENSILE STRENGTH; HEAT & CHEMICAL RESISTANT, STIFF & HARD
	PS POLYSTYRENE	YOGURT CUPS & TUBS, COOKIE & MUFFIN TRAYS, CLEAR CARRYOUT CONTAINERS, ASPIRIN & VITAMIN BOTTLES (NO STYROFOAM)	VIDEO CASSETTES, FLOWER POTS, TRASH CANS, FOOD SERVICE TRAYS, BUILDING INSULATION, DESK TOP ACCESSORIES LIKE LETTER OPENERS & RULERS	BRITTLE, CLEAR; GOOD THERMAL
	OTHER OTHER PLASTIC	KETCHUP SQUEEZE BOTTLES, SYRUP BOTTLES, WINDEX BOTTLES, 5 GALLON WATER COOLER BOTTLES	ICE SCRAPERS, SNOW BRUSHES, STREET SIGNS, PENS & CONCRETE SUPPORTS	VARIES ACCORDING TO RESIN MEXTURE
THIS CHART IS BY NO MEANS A DEFINITIVE LISTING OF CODED PLASTICS & THEIR USES, IT IS INTENDED ONLY TO GIVE A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF PLASTIC RECYCLING BY IDENTIFYING THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF POST CONSUMER PLASTICS & LISTING SOME TYPICAL ORIGINAL & RECYCLED PRODUCTS MADE FROM THOSE PLASTICS.