Most recycling programs won’t accept it.Polystyrene is most often used in Styrofoam, which is notorious for being difficult to recycle.Polypropylene is recycled into brooms, auto battery cases, bins, pallets, signal lights, ice scrapers, and bicycle racks.Recycling plants in Vermont are increasing their capacity to handle PP because it is a growing and valuable recyclable. It’s increasingly becoming accepted by curbside recycle programs.Plastic #5 is found in yogurt tubs, butter tubs, and other food packaging.This plastic is recycled into compost bins, paneling, trash can liners and cans, floor tiles, and shipping envelopes.Curbside recycling programs seldom accept this plastic.It is a low value and low volume recyclable. Low density polyethylene is found in squeezable bottles, shopping bags, clothing, carpet, frozen food, bread bags, and some food wraps.Plastic #4 – LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) This plastic is recycled into paneling, flooring, speed bumps, decks, and roadway gutters.It’s found in shampoo bottles, clear food packaging, cooking oil bottles, medical equipment, piping, and windows.Plastic #3 is used to make food wrap, plumbing pipes, and sometimes for bottles, and is seldom accepted by curbside recycling programs.Plastic #3 – V (vinyl) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) Colored HDPE is separated by recycling plants, and while less valuable is still an economical recyclable material. “Natural” HDPE found in milk jugs has a very high value.Plastic #2 is recycled into pens, recycling containers, picnic tables, lumber, benches, fencing, and detergent bottles, and more.It’s found mostly in milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, juice bottles, shampoo bottles, and motor oil bottles.Plastic #2 is picked up by most curbside recycling programs, and is a high value recyclable.Plastic #2 – HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) Plastic #1 is recycled into tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling, fiber, and polar fleece.It’s found mostly in soda bottles, water bottles, beer bottles, salad dressing containers, mouthwash bottles, and peanut butter tubs. Picked up by most curbside recycling programs, plastic #1 is usually clear or translucent and used to bottles and food “clamshells.” PET is a high volume and high value recyclable.Here is a quick summary on the various recycling symbols and numbers: The Recycling Symbols Plastic #1 – PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Just because it has the chasing arrows, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s actually recyclable. Have you ever wondered what the numbers or recycling symbols mean at the bottom of plastic bottles and containers? The numbers represent the plastic resins used to make the item.
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