Not all plastics are created equal, and when talking about recycling, that fact becomes very important. While many people understand that certain plastics must be separated for the recycling process, they may find the many symbols and codes to be intimidating. Perhaps even intimidating to the point of preventing them from recycling at all.
In order to simplify what could be a very complicated process, we have compiled this user-friendly list that will give you a brief description of the various types of plastics, their common uses, and what they can be used for when properly recycled.
Recycle By Numbers
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)
Description: Clear and durable; the most commonly recycled plastic
Common uses: Soft drink & water bottles, plastic food containers
Can be recycled into: Bottles, containers, carpeting, & fleece fabric
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Description: Opaque and tough, has good chemical resistance
Common uses: Laundry detergent, bleach, milk, & shampoo bottles, grocery bags, cereal box liners
Can be recycled into: Non-food containers, outdoor decking & certain types of flooring
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Description: Suitable for both bendable and firm types of containers and packaging
Common uses: Shrink-wrap, window frames, medical tubing
Can be recycled into: Pipe, decking, gutters, mud flaps
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Description: Tough, transparent & flexible
Common uses: Newspaper & dry cleaning bags, produce & bread bags, certain toys
Can be recycled into: Shipping envelopes, lawn furniture & trash cans
Polypropylene (PP)
Description: High melting point – good for containing hot liquids
Common uses: Takeout meals, yogurt, medicine bottles, bottle caps & closures
Can be recycled into: Gardening tools, storage containers & oil funnels
Polystyrene (PS)
Description: Better known as Styrofoam
Common uses: Egg cartons, beverage cups, packing peanuts, protective packaging
Can be recycled into: Egg cartons, thermal insulation, protective packaging
“Other”
Description: Created from a type of plastic resin different from the others or with a combination various resins
Common uses: Large, reusable water containers, oven baking bags
Can be recycled into: Bottles, plastic lumber
Where to go?
The City of Montgomery website has a great deal of information on local recycling, including where to deliver your recyclable items. Additionally, United Plastic Recycling, located at 4230 Mobile Highway in Montgomery, accepts all types of plastic – 1-7.
Bag it Up!
Publix and Wal-Mart both accept (and encourage) people from the community to return clean, dry plastic bags to their stores, and even have bins near the entrances of each store. If you are using reusable cloth bags for your groceries, look around for bags you’ve had lingering in drawers and closets and ask friends to contribute to your collection. It is perfectly fine to take bags from other stores as long as the plastic is type 2, which should be printed near the seam of the bag.
