aplasticbag's Spot Follow

There is a lot involved in plastic bags, including the recycling number embossed on the bottom of your plastics. The fact remains that only two that are stamped as "recyclable" are easily and efficiently recycled of the seven types of plastics labeled 1 through 7.

In general, aside from plastic bag recycling, number 1 plastics is pretty easy to recycle: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE). It is often clear, relatively lightweight (or thinner) and is used in: mouthwash containers, soda bottles, salad dressing containers, plastic food jars, and water bottles. Number 2, also easy to recycle, is High density polyethylene (HDPE), is used in heavier containers such as milk jugs, snack food containers, laundry detergent containers, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles. Numbers 3 though 7 are difficult to recycle. If you have tried to take any of these to your local recycling center you may have wondered why your plastics were rejected.

Number 3 - Polyvinyl chloride (V or Vinyl PVC), used to make, shower curtains, cooking oil bottles, pipe and pipe fittings, medical tubing. Number 4 - Low density polyethylene (LDPE), often colored, is used to make: sandwich, storage and "zipper" bags, grocery and vegetable/meat bags, plastic wrapping paper, squeezable ketchup and mustard bottles. Number 5 - Polypropylene (PP), also often colored, is used for tubs of butter, cookie dough, whipped topping, tupperware containers, yogurt and gelatin containers, pancake and chocolate syrup bottles. Number 6 - Polystyrene (PS), is used in to - go food containers, egg cartons, disposable cups, bowls and plates, styrofoam containers and, packing peanuts (for moving and storage). Number 7 - Which includes a miscellany of all other plastics, which include fast food beverage containers, baby bottles, cell phones, CDs, electronics casings, and sports water bottles.

Precycling is the practice of considering your packaging before you buy. Make sure your plastic is number 1 or 2 before buying. If it isn't, consider a different product choice. If you must use plastic, find creative ways to reuse and repurpose it. There is a wealth of information on this topic available on the Internet. Always recycle, it’s good for our future environment.