Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n- Plastic recycling symbols don\u2019t guarantee recyclability \u2014 the number inside the \u201cchasing arrows\u201d triangle identifies the type of plastic and helps determine proper disposal or recycling methods.<\/span><\/li>\n
- PETG (Symbol 1) and HDPE (Symbol 2) are widely accepted by curbside recycling programs and are often reused in packaging, furniture, and household products.<\/span><\/li>\n
- PVC (Symbol 3) and LDPE (Symbol 4) are less commonly recycled and may require special facilities or are often repurposed in industrial applications.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Acrylic and polycarbonate fall under Symbol 7 plastics, which aren\u2019t always recyclable, but can often be repurposed due to their thermoplastic properties.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Knowing your plastic types helps reduce landfill waste, improves sorting accuracy, and supports a more sustainable approach to using plastic sheets, rods, and tubes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The “Chasing Arrows” Symbol<\/h2>\n
The “chasing arrows” symbol we see on plastic containers and products does not necessarily mean the product is recyclable. The little number inside the triangle is there to help us identify the type of plastic used for the product. By understanding the number classifications, we can then determine the appropriate disposal route for our plastic products.<\/p>\n
Symbol 1: PETG or PETE<\/h2>\n
Symbol 1 with the acronym PETE PETG plastic<\/a>. Also known as PETE, this symbol represents polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly used for soft drink bottles, mineral water containers, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. The plastic is easily recyclable so it’s often part of curbside recycling programs. It can be reused to make containers, carpets, and furniture.<\/p>\nSymbol 2: HDPE<\/h2>\n
Symbol 2 with the acronym HDPE indicates one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States, HDPE (which stands for high-density polyethylene). HDPE plastic<\/a> is used for a variety of different purposes, but is widely considered the plastic of choice for containers for items like cleaning agents, milk, detergents, and washing soap because of its low weight and high strength.<\/p>\nHDPE sheets<\/a> can also be easily recycled into pipes, oil bottles, pens, and detergent bottles. It is commonly accepted by curbside recycling.<\/p>\nSymbol 3: PVC or Vinyl<\/h2>\n
Plastic material that exhibits symbol 3 with the letter “V” represents PVC plastic or polyvinyl chloride. You may come across this plastic in bubble foil, and trays for sweets and fruit. Additionally, Expanded PVC foam board is used for a wide variety of commercial applications. Thanks to its lightweight and rigid properties, PVC plastic can be easily stamped, sawed, punched, nailed, riveted, or bonded using PVC adhesive.<\/p>\n
PVC is rarely recycled and not usually part of a curbside recycling program. In rare instances, it can be recycled for speed bumps, roadway gutters, and cables.<\/p>\n
Symbol 4: LDPE<\/h2>\n
Symbol 4 with the acronym LDPE indicates that the plastic is made from LDPE plastic, which stands for low-density polyethylene. This plastic comes in the form of shopping bags, highly resistant sacks, and crushed bottles.<\/p>\n
This type of plastic is not usually recycled, but it can be converted into floor tiles and shipping envelopes.<\/p>\n
Symbol 5: PP<\/h2>\n
PP, or polypropylene plastic<\/a>, is appropriately marked by the number five symbol including the acronym PP. Thanks to its durability, strength, and low weight, this plastic is utilized in furniture, luggage, toys, and the lining and external borders of cars. This is one of the safer types of plastic making it ideal for ketchup bottles and medicine bottles. It is also increasingly being accepted in curbside recycling programs.<\/p>\nSymbol 6: Styrene, or PS<\/h2>\n
Styrene plastic<\/a>, also known as polystyrene, is marked with symbol 6, which includes the acronym PS. This plastic is commonly used in toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewelry, CD cases, and vending cups. Although not accepted in many curbside recycling programs, it can be recycled to make egg cartons, take-out containers, and rulers.<\/p>\nSymbol 7: Other<\/h2>\n
Symbol 7 including the word “OTHER” stands for “other plastics,” which include, but are not limited to, acrylic plastic<\/a>, polycarbonate plastic<\/a>, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass. Not every plastic can be recycled. However, both acrylic and polycarbonate can be recycled and can be repurposed for future projects. Since they are both thermoplastics<\/a>, they can be reheated without a loss in quality. For symbol 7 plastics, be sure to confirm with your local recycling program.<\/p>\n
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The “Chasing Arrows” Symbol<\/h2>\n
The “chasing arrows” symbol we see on plastic containers and products does not necessarily mean the product is recyclable. The little number inside the triangle is there to help us identify the type of plastic used for the product. By understanding the number classifications, we can then determine the appropriate disposal route for our plastic products.<\/p>\n
Symbol 1: PETG or PETE<\/h2>\n
Symbol 1 with the acronym PETE PETG plastic<\/a>. Also known as PETE, this symbol represents polyethylene terephthalate, which is commonly used for soft drink bottles, mineral water containers, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. The plastic is easily recyclable so it’s often part of curbside recycling programs. It can be reused to make containers, carpets, and furniture.<\/p>\n Symbol 2 with the acronym HDPE indicates one of the most commonly used plastics in the United States, HDPE (which stands for high-density polyethylene). HDPE plastic<\/a> is used for a variety of different purposes, but is widely considered the plastic of choice for containers for items like cleaning agents, milk, detergents, and washing soap because of its low weight and high strength.<\/p>\n HDPE sheets<\/a> can also be easily recycled into pipes, oil bottles, pens, and detergent bottles. It is commonly accepted by curbside recycling.<\/p>\n Plastic material that exhibits symbol 3 with the letter “V” represents PVC plastic or polyvinyl chloride. You may come across this plastic in bubble foil, and trays for sweets and fruit. Additionally, Expanded PVC foam board is used for a wide variety of commercial applications. Thanks to its lightweight and rigid properties, PVC plastic can be easily stamped, sawed, punched, nailed, riveted, or bonded using PVC adhesive.<\/p>\n PVC is rarely recycled and not usually part of a curbside recycling program. In rare instances, it can be recycled for speed bumps, roadway gutters, and cables.<\/p>\n Symbol 4 with the acronym LDPE indicates that the plastic is made from LDPE plastic, which stands for low-density polyethylene. This plastic comes in the form of shopping bags, highly resistant sacks, and crushed bottles.<\/p>\n This type of plastic is not usually recycled, but it can be converted into floor tiles and shipping envelopes.<\/p>\n PP, or polypropylene plastic<\/a>, is appropriately marked by the number five symbol including the acronym PP. Thanks to its durability, strength, and low weight, this plastic is utilized in furniture, luggage, toys, and the lining and external borders of cars. This is one of the safer types of plastic making it ideal for ketchup bottles and medicine bottles. It is also increasingly being accepted in curbside recycling programs.<\/p>\n Styrene plastic<\/a>, also known as polystyrene, is marked with symbol 6, which includes the acronym PS. This plastic is commonly used in toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewelry, CD cases, and vending cups. Although not accepted in many curbside recycling programs, it can be recycled to make egg cartons, take-out containers, and rulers.<\/p>\n Symbol 7 including the word “OTHER” stands for “other plastics,” which include, but are not limited to, acrylic plastic<\/a>, polycarbonate plastic<\/a>, polylactic fibers, nylon, and fiberglass. Not every plastic can be recycled. However, both acrylic and polycarbonate can be recycled and can be repurposed for future projects. Since they are both thermoplastics<\/a>, they can be reheated without a loss in quality. For symbol 7 plastics, be sure to confirm with your local recycling program.<\/p>\nSymbol 2: HDPE<\/h2>\n
Symbol 3: PVC or Vinyl<\/h2>\n
Symbol 4: LDPE<\/h2>\n
Symbol 5: PP<\/h2>\n
Symbol 6: Styrene, or PS<\/h2>\n
Symbol 7: Other<\/h2>\n