Recycle by Numbers

Youve seen them. They're the numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles, containers and other products. Recycling plastics can be as easy as 1, 2, and 3. Or at least it should be. This article will tell you what those numbers mean, which plastics are recycled, what they become when they are recycled, and what happens if they are not recycled.

(PRWEB) April 11, 2004 --Youve seen them.
They're the numbers on the bottom of plastic bottles, containers and other products. Recycling plastics can be as easy as 1, 2, and 3. Or at least it should be. This article will tell you what those numbers mean, which plastics are recycled, what they become when they are recycled, and what happens if they are not recycled.
Confusion
In many areas, the confusion over which plastics are actually recycled, and which ones arent is causing some people not to recycle. It is frustrating to both waste management and those of us trying to do the right thing. An 'all plastic bottle collection program makes it easier for consumers to recycle their plastic bottles. Consumers want to recycle their plastics but the resin identification code can be confusing.

The Symbol
The symbols we see on the bottom of our plastics resemble the classic recycle sign of three arrows chasing each other in a triangle form. Inside of that symbol is a number. That number represents the resin (a type of plastic) content. They were designed in 1988 to try to give a uniform answer to what can and will be recycled.

What it all Means
Here is a brief look at each number that appears on the plastic, and an idea of what that plastic might become after it has been recycled.

Plastic #1 Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Pete: Soda bottles, water bottles, vinegar bottles, medicine containers backing for photography film, clear plastic ketchup bottles, plastic egg cartons, clear mustard bottles and microwave trays.
What it becomes: Plastic #1 can become fibre fill for winter coats and sleeping bags, bean bags, ropes, clothing (polyester) life jackets, car bumpers and auto body parts, tennis ball felt, combs, cassette tapes, car bumpers, sails for boats, parts for cars, furniture, and even other bottles! Find Recycled Soda Bottles in products at greenfeet.com like the landing pad, the envirope hammock, sleeping bean body pillow, the kidney bean body pillow, and the reading in bed pillow.

Plastic #2 High-density Polyethylene HDPE: Laundry/Dish detergent, fabric softeners, Milk jugs, bleach, conditioners, motor oil, some toys, my vitamin container, and shampoo bottles.
What it becomes: Plastic #2 can become Blue Boxes, toys and drain pipe, pallets and plastic lumber, twine and rope!

Plastic #3 Poly (vinyl Chloride) V Commonly called PVC: Pipes, Shower curtains, meat wraps, cooking oil bottles baby bottle nipples, shrink wrap, clear medical tubing, vinyl dashboards and seat covers, coffee containers.

Plastic #4 Low-Density Polyethylene LDPE: Wrapping Film, grocery bags, sandwich bags, mustard container.

Plastic #5 Polypropylene PP: food storage containers, syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, diapers, outdoor carpet.

Plastic #6 Polystyrene PS: Coffee cups, disposable cutlery and cups, bakery shells, meat trays, packing peanuts, Styrofoam insulation. Recycled post consumer polystyrene beads can be found in our hemp and natural cotton been bag chairs.
What they become: Coffee cups and packing can become trays, video and audio cassettes and rigid foam insulation!

Plastic #7 Other: Not much use for this. It is usually made from a combination of the other plastics and is less commonly used.
If Plastic is thrown away, how long does it take for it to breakdown?
• Plastic-coated paper -- 5 years
• Plastic bags -- 20-1000 years
• Plastic film containers -- 20-30 years
• Plastic bottles --Indefinitely
Figures from Clean Up Australia website www.cleanup.com.au

What can you do?
A) Separate Plastics for recycling as specified by your local guidelines.
B) When shopping choose products made of recycled plastic.
C) When shopping, choose products packaged in eco-friendly packaging.

Do most recycle centers accommodate all types of plastic?
Barbara Kopicki, Recycling Coordinator for Associated Students Recycling, CSU, Chico says Chico has a city ordinance that requires the waste haulers to accept plastics 1-7, however if the hauler does not have a market for that plastic then it could end up being landfilled."

What Plastics will actually be Recycled?
Some say that the reason not all types of plastics are recycled is because there isnt a broad market for the post recycled plastic. If more things were being made out of recycled plastic, then more plastics could be recycled. It's a catch-22! Right now the most commonly recycled plastics are the #1 and #2 plastics.

What to do with the other plastics:
The other plastics are problematic because there are limited markets who want them. If you cant make a plastic into something else, it wont be recycled," Barbara stated. With the other recycled plastics having a weak market, even if they are collected, most of the recycling centers will not have any one to sell them too. The rest of the plastic items can either be reused or thrown away.

You Can Precycle and Recycle.
It is a good idea is to avoid buying products sold in unrecyclable containers. This is what we call pre-cycling. This helps to close the loop of recycling.

References:
Associated Students Recycling, CSU, Chico, California
www.cleanup.com.au,
www.quinterecycling.org/where.htm,
www.ci.redding.ca.us/solwaste/r_plastics.htm,
recycling.stanford.edu/recycling/caq_plastic.html,
www.allplasticbottles.org/collect.asp

###

Greenfeet is a bricks and clicks consumer and business source for natural and earth-friendly products and information. Established in 1997 and headquartered in Chico, CA, Greenfeet provides a broad range of environmentally -- healthy goods including organic bedding, personal care, childrens products, gifts, household items and more at below-retail pricing. Greenfeet is committed to providing products and education that help everyday folks enjoy a healthy, toxin-free life. For further information about Greenfeet products and services, or to receive a free monthly newsletter with tips and resources for green living, please visit www.greenfeet.com or call toll free 1-888-562-8873.