Plastic Recycling Chart printable pdf download

POLYETHYLENE

HIGH DENSITY

VINYL

LOW DENSITY

POLYPROPYLENE

POLYSTYRENE

MISCELLANEOUS

TEREPHTHALATE

POLYETHYLENE

OR PVC

POLYETHYLENE

HDPE is a versatile plastic

Polypropylene has a high

PET plastic is the most common

PVC is tough and weathers well,

LDPE is a flexible plastic with

Polystyrene can be made into rigid or

A wide variety of plastic resins that don't

foam products -- in the latter case it is

fit into the previous categories are

for single-use bottled beverages,

so it is commonly used for piping,

with many uses, especially

many applications. Historically

melting point, and so is

popularly known as the trademark

lumped into number 7. A few are even

because it is inexpensive,

siding and similar applications.

it has not been accepted

for packaging. It carries low

often chosen for containers

Styrofoam. Evidence suggests

made from plants (polyactide) and are

lightweight and easy to recycle. It

PVC contains chlorine, so its

through most American

risk of leaching and is

that must accept hot liquid.

polystyrene can leach potential toxins

compostable. Polycarbonate is number

poses low risk of leaching

manufacture can release highly

curbside recycling programs,

into foods. The material was long on

7, and is the hard plastic that has

readily recyclable into many

It is gradually becoming

breakdown products. Recycling

dangerous dioxins. If you must

environmentalists' hit lists for dispersing

parents worried these days, after studies

but more and more

rates remain relatively low (around

goods.

cook with PVC, don't let the plastic

more accepted by

widely across the landscape, and for

have shown it can leach potential

communities are starting to

20%), though the material is in

touch food. Also never burn PVC,

being notoriously difficult to recycle.

hormone disruptors.

recyclers.

accept it.

high demand by remanufacturers.

because it releases toxins.

Most places still don't accept it, though

it is gradually gaining traction.

Soft drink, water and beer

Squeezable bottles; bread,

Some yogurt containers,

Disposable plates and cups,

Milk jugs, juice bottles; bleach,

Window cleaner and detergent

Three- and five-gallon water bottles,

detergent and household cleaner

bottles, shampoo bottles, cooking

'bullet-proof' materials, sunglasses,

bottles; mouthwash bottles;

frozen food, dry cleaning and

syrup bottles, ketchup

meat trays, egg cartons,

bottles; shampoo bottles; some

oil bottles, clear food packaging,

DVDs, iPod and computer cases,

peanut butter containers; salad

shopping bags; tote bags;

bottles, caps, straws,

carry-out containers, aspirin

trash and shopping bags; motor oil

wire jacketing, medical equipment,

signs and displays, certain food

dressing and vegetable oil

clothing; furniture; carpet

medicine bottles

bottles, compact disc cases

bottles; butter and yogurt tubs;

siding, windows, piping

containers, nylon

containers; ovenable food trays.

cereal box liners

Polar fleece, fiber, tote bags,

Laundry detergent bottles, oil

Decks, paneling,

Trash can liners and cans,

Signal lights, battery cables,

Insulation, light switch

Plastic lumber, custom-

bottles, pens, recycling

brooms, brushes, auto battery

furniture, carpet, paneling,

compost bins, shipping

mudflaps, roadway

plates, egg cartons, vents,

made products

containers, floor tile, drainage

cases, ice scrapers, landscape

straps, (occasionally) new

envelopes, paneling, lumber,

gutters, flooring, cables,

rulers, foam packing,

pipe, lumber, benches,

borders, bicycle racks, rakes,

containers

landscaping ties, floor tile

speed bumps, mats

carry-out containers

doghouses, picnic tables, fencing

bins, pallets, trays

Plastic Recycling Chart

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