You Know Those Little Numbers On Plastic Bottles?
Yeah, those little numbers in that little triangle on plastic bottles.
Have you ever wondered what they mean?
Well, now you can stop wondering.
You'll find my findings in this lens on what those little numbers on plastic bottles mean. You'll also find out which plastic numbers can be recycled by placing them in blue bins and which plastic numbers need to be sent to special recycling centers.
Have you ever wondered what they mean?
Well, now you can stop wondering.
You'll find my findings in this lens on what those little numbers on plastic bottles mean. You'll also find out which plastic numbers can be recycled by placing them in blue bins and which plastic numbers need to be sent to special recycling centers.
Page Overview
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#1: PET
#1 plastic can be recycled in the blue bins!#1 means the plastic is made of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate). This type of plastic is used for beer, beverages, detergents, and salad dressings. The recycled part of this plastic can be used in carpeting and fleece.
#2: HDPE
Most #2 plastic can be recycled by placing it in those blue bins!If you see a #2 in that little triangle on plastic bottles and containers, it means that the plastic is made of HDPE (High density polyethylene). #2 plastic is used for bleach bottles, nail polish remover bottles, shampoo bottles, grocery bags, butter and yogurt cups. Recycled #2 can be found in crates and picnic tables.
Not all #2 plastics are recyclable so be sure to check with your local recycling center to make sure which ones they accept.
#3: PVC
#3 plastic needs to be sent to recycling centers to be recycled.#3 plastic is made of PVC (Polyvinyl chloride). #3 plastic can be found in shower curtains, floors, and faux leather.
The process of manufacturing, using, and disposing of PVC could release phthalates (may disrupt the endocrine) and dioxin (known carcinogen).
Check out earth911.org to find recycling centers.
Find Recycling Centers
Visit earth911.org to find recycling centers.
#4: LDPE
#4 plastics are accepted at many retailers!#4 plastics contain LDPE (low density polyethylene). You'll find #4 plastics being used for grocery bags, newspaper bags, and dry cleaning bags. Once recycled, #4 plastics turn into trash can liners and compost bins.
#5: PP
#5 plastics need to be sent to recycling centers for recycling.PP (Polypropylene) is what the #5 stands for. #5 plastics are used in takeout containers, medicine bottles, baby bottles, straw, and bottle caps. #5 is recycled into bicycle racks, brooms, and ice scrapers.
#6: PS
#6 plastics need to be sent to recycling centers to be recycled.#6 plastics are made of PS (Polystyrene). #6 plastics can be found in egg cartons, picnicware, shipping foam, and shipping peanuts.
Polystyrene may release styrene, suspected of being a carcinogen and endocrine disrupter.
To recycle #6 plastics, visit epspackaging.org for recycling shipping foam and loosefillpackaging.com for recycling shipping peanuts.
Recycling Shipping Foam & Peanuts?
To find places that recycle shipping foam, visit epspackaging.org.
To find places that recycle shipping peanuts, visit loosefillpackaging.com.
#7: OTHER
Check with your recycling center for their policy on this type of plastic.#7 plastic is made of OTHER (whatever compounds that don't fit in with the other numbers). This category consists of three and five gallon water jugs, oven baking bags, corn based plastics, and PC (polycarbonate).
PC (polycarbonate) can be found in some baby bottles and sports bottles.
Polycarbonate plastics might leach bisphenol A into the liquids they contain. Bisphenol A is an artifical estrogen. As such, bisphenol A can disrupt hormone functions.
Do You Reduce?
Do you reduce?
Show others that you care about the environment and are doing your part by reducing.
Design reads:
I Reduce
by bringing my own shopping totes
by going paperless
by walking more, driving less
Maybe these will give others ideas on how they can reduce as well.
Show others that you care about the environment and are doing your part by reducing.
Design reads:
I Reduce
by bringing my own shopping totes
by going paperless
by walking more, driving less
Maybe these will give others ideas on how they can reduce as well.
I Reduce White T-Shirt
Price: 18.99 
I Reduce Jr. Ringer T-Shirt
Price: 19.99
I Reduce Tote Bag
Price: 15.99
I Reduce Mug
Price: 13.99
I Reduce Framed Panel Print
Price: 38.99
by ayang
One of things that I would like to do is to get a scooter. I don't have one as of yet, but maybe someday.
My collection of lenses is on any subject t... (more)
My collection of lenses is on any subject t... (more)
