- Almost all plastic items are stamped with a number surrounded by arrows in the shape of a triangle. While this mark alone does not guarantee the plastic is recyclable, is does tell you the type of plastic, which is essential for determining its eligibility. Most of the time, unlabeled plastic is not accepted for recycling.
- Polyethylene Terephthalate, labeled "1," is commonly known as PET or PETE. It is often used to make drink bottles, some microwavable food trays, peanut butter containers, salad dressing bottles and mouthwash bottles. It is the most lightweight and easily recycled plastic. PETE is recycled into polar fleece, tote bags, furniture, carpet and sometimes new containers.
- High-Density Polyethylene is labeled "2" and abbreviated as HDPE. It's commonly used in milk jugs, shampoo and detergent bottles and cereal box liners. It is considered versitile and readily recyclable. When recycled, this plastic may ultimately become pens, floor tile, dog houses, drainage pipes or even a plastic picnic table.
- Low-Density Polyethylene is labeled "4" and abbreviated as LDPE. It's typically used to make plastic squeeze bottles, bread wrappers, some cling wraps and package wrap (such as the wrapping around a case of bottled water) and, most importantly, plastic grocery bags. Grocery stores now have recycling programs and can accept these items for recycling. Recycled LDPE may become trash can liners, compost bins or shipping envelopes.
- Proproylene, labeled "5" and also known as PP, is found in syrup and ketchup bottles, caps, straws and medicine bottles. This plastic has a high melting point and is accepted by some but not all recycling programs. It can be recycled into ice scrapers, bicycle racks, signal lights, rakes or brooms.
- Plastic labeled "7" is in a sort of catch-all category. Some of it may be recyclable. New bio-plastics (polyactide or PLA) made from soy or corn fall into this category. Oddly enough, they aren't necessarily recyclable; however, you can put them in your compost pile.
