Some plastics can be easily recycled and some… well they need some serious work before they can be put back into circulation. Some

municipalities accept all types of plastic for recycling, while others only accept jugs, containers and bottles with certain numbers stamped on their bottoms.

The most common plastics that are recycled are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) and are assigned the number 1. These are the plastics/ polymers used in drinking/ Soda bottles, some food packaging containers and many other every day consumer items. Once it has been processed by a recycling facility, PETE can be turned into fibrefill for use in coats, duvets, sleeping bags and many other consumer products. It can also be used to make rope, bean bags, car bumpers, combs, cassette tapes, tennis ball felt, sails for boats, furniture and, of course, new plastic bottles.

High-density polyethylene plastics are assigned the number 2. These comprise heavier containers that hold bleaches and laundry detergents as well as shampoo, milk and motor oil. Plastics labelled with the number 2 are often recycled into toys, piping, plastic lumber and rope. This material is again accepted at most recycling centres.

Plastics Less Commonly Recycled

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), labelled number 3 is used in piping, medical tubing and shower curtains. Like numbers 4 (wrapping films, grocery

and sandwich bags, and other containers made of low-density polyethylene) and 5 (polypropylene containers used in Tupperware, among other products), it is rarely accepted at municipal recycling centres due to it’s low rate of re-use.

Another Useful Plastic to Recycle

Number 6 goes on polystyrene (Styrofoam) items such as coffee cups, disposable cutlery, meat trays, packing “peanuts” and insulation. Many recycling centres accept it becuase it can be recycled into insulation materials. Finally on the list are goods formed out of combinations of plastics or from unique plastic formulations. Usually imprinted with a number 7 or nothing at all, these plastics are very difficult to recycle. Such items could be returned to the original manufacturers for recycling.