Your Questions About Recycling
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Filed under Recycling Q & A
Lisa asks…
recycling numbers???
On recyclable items there is a little triangle with the number 1-7 in it. Do you know which each number stands for?
The Expert answers:
Recycling No. Abbreviation Polymer Name Uses once recycled
1 PETE or PET Polyethylene terephthalate Polyester fibres, thermoformed sheet, strapping, soft drink bottles.
2 HDPE High density polyethylene Bottles, grocery bags, recycling bins, agricultural pipe, base cups, car stops, playground equipment, and plastic lumber.
3 PVC or V Polyvinyl chloride Pipe, fencing, and non-food bottles.
4 LDPE Low density polyethylene Plastic bags, various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, and various molded laboratory equipment.
5 PP Polypropylene Auto parts and industrial fibers.
6 PS Polystyrene Desk accessories, cafeteria trays, toys, video cassettes and cases, insulation board and expanded polystyrene products (e.g. Styrofoam).
7 OTHER Other plastics, including acrylic, polycarbonate, polylactic acid , nylon and fiberglass.
Laura asks…
What do the numbers in the recycling logo mean?
For example, a bottle water could be 2 or something. Other materials that have those numbers are shampoo bottles, Starbucks cup, etc. Does anyone know what the numbers it stand for?
The Expert answers:
1 Poly(ethylene terephthalate): Soda bottles, water bottles, vinegar bottles, medicine containers, backing for photography film.
2High-density Polyethylene: Containers for: laundry/dish detergent, fabric softeners, bleach, milk, shampoo, conditioner, motor oil. Newer bullet proof vests, various toys.
3Poly(vinyl cloride): Pipes, shower curtains, meat wraps, cooking oil bottles, baby bottle nipples, shrink wrap, clear medical tubing, vinyl dashboards and seat covers, coffee containers.
4Low-density Polyethylene: Wrapping films, grocery bags, sandwich bags.
5Polypropylene: Tupperware®, syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, diapers, outdoor carpet.
6Polystyrene: Coffee cups, disposable cutlery and cups (clear and colored), bakery shells, meat trays, “cheap” hubcaps, packing peanuts, styrofoam insulation.
7Other. Products labeled as “other” are made of any combination of 1-6 or another, less commonly used plastic.
Nancy asks…
What do the numbers inside the recycling symbols on plastics stand for?
I heard it has something to do with what it can hold. And not necessarily recycling.
The Expert answers:
My answer for you is in the followings.
Http://www.earthodyssey.com/symbols.html
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321
Jenny asks…
What do those numbers in the recycling symbols mean?
You know when for example you look at the bottom of a plastic cup and you see the recycling symbol and it has a number in it, hat does the number mean?
The Expert answers:
Hi,
Those numbers show what type of plastic it is. So there is type 1 and type 2 and there are many and different recycling centers accept different numbers. Check with your local recycling center and see what they accept. Or, if you have a city-provided recycling bin, see if it tells you on there. Sadly, not all centers accept all types of plastic.At least this is what I think.
Carol asks…
What do the recycling numbers mean on water bottles? it is true some are not safe to reuse?
The Expert answers:
You already go the answer to what they mean. Not all plastics are safe for food or water storage. Many plastics including the #1 clear water bottles have only been deemed “safe” for single use. Anytime the plastic is scratched or creased it breaks the surface and can allow chemicals to leach into the water.
I hope you will take a moment to check out the 2 links I provided, they give more detailed info on the risks of plastics for drinkning water as well as the damage caused by bottled water.
Ruth asks…
Why so many different numbers used with the recycling sign?
There is 6, 2, 3, etc. How many are there and why use them? Heck, why use a recycling symbol, when just tell people to recycle glass, paper, plastic, and cardboard?
The Expert answers:
There are 7 numbers that refer to different types of plastic – PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and other. The number is on plastics so that when they are recycled, they are divided into the type of plastic to be reused. Milk containers are made of HDPE and they recycle them into playground equipment and other items. Yogurt containers are made out of polypropylene and they can be recycled into automotive parts. The numbers are ONLY used on plastics, not glass, paper and cardboard.
Ken asks…
What do the numbers inside the recycling triangles on plastics mean?
The Expert answers:
Pretty much means how recycleable they are, 1 and 2 means they can go into normal recycling bins, but 3 and up have to be put into special one because they are different types of plastic
Charles asks…
On plant pots and the like, what do the numbers inside the small recycling signs represent?
I havent seen them on all plant pots and other plastic goods, and i think they represent the amount of years it takes for the item to degrade. it seems likely to me, but im not sure if im right. am i?
The Expert answers:
It just indicates the type of plastic. Recycling centers may stipulate that they only take recyclable plastics of type 2, 3 and 6. Others may take more or less. It all depends on the process necessary to reuse the plastic, and some are more easily recyclable than others.
Michael asks…
question about recycling icons on products, what does the different numbers represent?
On the recycling icon on products there is always a number in the middle, but what do they stand for?
The Expert answers:
1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) Used to make soft drink, water, sports drink, ketchup, and salad dressing bottles, and peanut butter, pickle, jelly and jam jars.
GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.
2 High density polyethylene (HDPE) Milk, water, and juice bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, cereal box liners, and grocery, trash, and retail bags.
GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.
3 Polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC) Most cling-wrapped meats, cheeses, and other foods sold in delicatessens and groceries are wrapped in PVC.
BAD: To soften into its flexible form, manufacturers add “plasticizers” during production. Traces of these chemicals can leach out of PVC when in contact with foods. According to the National Institutes of Health, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), commonly found in PVC, is a suspected human carcinogen.
4 Low density polyethylene (LDPE) Some bread and frozen food bags and squeezable bottles.
OK: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones, but not as widely recycled as #1 or #2.
5 Polypropylene (PP) Some ketchup bottles and yogurt and margarine tubs.
OK: Hazardous during production, but not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones. Not as widely recycled as #1 and #2.
6 Polystyrene (PS) Foam insulation and also for hard applications (e.g. Cups, some toys)
BAD: Benzene (material used in production) is a known human carcinogen. Butadiene and styrene (the basic building block of the plastic) are suspected carcinogens. Energy intensive and poor recycling.
7 Other (usually polycarbonate) Baby bottles, microwave ovenware, eating utensils, plastic coating for metal cans BAD: Made with biphenyl-A, a chemical invented in the 1930s in search for synthetic estrogens. A hormone disruptor. Simulates the action of estrogen when tested in human breast cancer studies. Can leach into food as product ages.
Also, if you are interested, some people contend that you shouldn’t use #1 for containing food or drink as it’s not as stable as #2, 4 or 5
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