What kind of Plastic is recycable

1: PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate)

There’s a good chance you’ve held something made of this plastic type today. PET or PETE is what’s used to make bottles for soda, water and other drinks. It’s also used to make cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars and containers for other popular food items.

PET/PETE products CAN be recycled.

2: HDPE (High density polyethylene)

HDPE plastics are also extremely common. They’re those used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers and detergent bottles.

HDPE products CAN be recycled.

3: PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)

PVC is a soft, flexible plastic, so it’s used for a huge array of household products. Plastic tubing, kids’ toys, plastic trays and furniture are often made out of PVC.

PVC products CANNOT be recycled.

4: LDPE (Low density polyethylene)

A lot of plastic wrappings are made of LDPE plastic. It’s also used to make grocery bags and the bags that hold newspapers, sliced bread loaves and fresh produce, among other things.

LDPE products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.  

5: PP (Polypropylene)

PP is used to make the food containers used for products like yogurt, sour cream and margarine. It’s also made into straws, rope, carpet and bottle caps.

PP products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.

6: PS (Polystyrene)

Styrofoam products are made out of PS plastic, so it’s commonly used to make disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers and to-go food containers.

PS products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.

7: Other

Any type of plastic that doesn’t fit into one of the first six categories falls under this heading. Products stamped with a 7 are often made out of multiple plastic types or out of other types of plastic that can’t easily be recycled.

#7 products CAN SOMETIMES be recycled.