 Polyethylene Terephthalate
Characteristics: Clarity, strength, toughness, barrier to gas and moisture.
Uses: Bottles for soft drink, water, sports drink,
beer, mouthwash, catsup and salad dressing bottles. Also for peanut
butter, pickle, jelly & jam jars, and food wrap that has been
deemed safe for the oven.
Recycled into: carpet, fiber filler, textiles including clothing, film, food, beverage containers, and luggage.
Dangers: PETE (PET) degrades with use and can contain
trace amount of Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical that interferes
with the body's natural hormonal system. BPA has been linked to breast
and uterine cancer, an increased risk of miscarriage, and decreased
testosterone levels. This problem is amplified when the container is
filled with hot liquids or exposed to high heat such as being left in a
car.
Recyclability: Very good - 2nd most recycled plastic next to HDPE. Should be available in all areas for curbside pick-up.
 High Density Polyethylene
Characteristics: Stiffness, strength, toughness, resistance to moisture, permeability to gas.
Uses: Milk, water, juice, cosmetic, shampoo, detergent
bottles, yogurt cups, margarine tubs, cereal box liners, grocery, trash
and retail bags.
Recycled into: Nonfood containers, including laundry
detergent, shampoo, conditioner, and motor oil bottles; plastic lumber,
pipe, buckets, crates, flower pots, film, recycling bins, and floor
tiles.
Dangers: No known problems.
Recyclability: Very good - most recycled plastic. Should be available in all areas for curbside pick-up.
 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Characteristics: Versatility, clarity, ease of blending, strength, and toughness.
Uses: Clear food and non-food packaging, medical
tubing, plastic pipes, outdoor furniture, shrink wrap, water bottles,
salad dressing bottles, liquid detergent containers, wire and cable
insulation, film and sheet, construction products such as pipes,
fittings, siding, floor tiles, carpet backing and window frames.
Recycled into: Packaging, loose-leaf binders,
decking, paneling, gutters, mud flaps, film, floor tiles and mats,
electrical equipment, traffic cones, garden hoses, mobile home skirting
Dangers: Contains numerous toxic chemicals called
adipates and phthalates. These chemicals are used to soften the
normally brittle PVC into a more flexible form. PVC is commonly used to
package foods and liquids, build children's toys, plumbing and building
materials, and can be found in everything from cosmetics to shower
curtains. The chemicals can leach out of the PVC when it comes into
contact with food especially with heat and moisture. The vinyl chloride
in PVC is a known human carcinogen. The European Union has banned the
use of DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate), the most widely used chemical
in PVC and in children's toys.
Recyclability: Marginal – although PVC can be recycled
its high content of additives makes it difficult. It must be kept
isolated due to its high chlorine and chemical additive content.
 Low Density Polyethylene
Characteristics: Ease of processing, strength, toughness, flexibility, ease of sealing, and barrier to moisture.
Uses: Dry cleaning, bread and frozen food bags,
produce bags, trash can liners, and squeezable bottles like honey,
mustard, and ketchup.
Recycled into: Shipping envelopes, garbage can liners, floor tile, plastic lumber, film, compost bins, and trash cans.
Dangers: No known dangers or concerns at this time.
Recyclability: Good, but transportation costs keep
most communities form recycling. Drop your used grocery bags off at
most supermarkets. We highly recommend the use of reusable shopping
bags.
 Polypropylene
Characteristics: Strength, toughness, resistance to heat, chemicals, grease and oil, versatile, and good barrier to moisture.
Uses: Catsup bottles, reusable microwaveable ware, kitchenware, yogurt containers, margarine tubs, and medicine bottles.
Recycled into: Automobile battery cases, signal
lights, brooms, brushes, ice scrapers, oil funnels, bicycle racks, and
lawn & garden rakes.
Dangers: No known dangers or concerns at this time.
Recyclability: Good – 3rd most recycled plastic. Look for third-party recyclers if your community doesn’t pick-up at curbside.
 Polystyrene
Characteristics: Versatility, clarity, easily formed, and a low melting point.
Uses: Compact disc jackets, food service applications,
grocery store meat trays, egg cartons, aspirin bottles, cups, plates,
cutlery, and packaging.
Recycled into: Thermometers, light switch plates,
thermal insulation, egg cartons, vents, rulers, license plate frames,
foam packing and dishware
Dangers: No known dangers or concerns at this time.
Recyclability: Good – “foam” plastic recycling is
on the rise as it should be. Packing “peanuts” should be reused or call
the 24 hr. automated Peanut Hotline at (800) 828-2214 for a local
drop-off location.
 OTHER
Characteristics: Dependent on polymers or combination of polymers.
Uses: Large reusable water bottles, some citrus juice containers, food storage containers, catsup bottles, and baby bottles.
Recycled into: Thermometers, light switch plates,
thermal insulation, egg cartons, vents, rulers, license plate frames,
foam packing and dishware
Dangers: Includes polycarbonates which studies show
can leach the potentially harmful synthetic hormone Bisphenol A (BPA).
This problem is amplified when the container is filled with hot liquids
or exposed to high heat such as being left in a car.
Recyclability: Not recyclable – avoid using plastic
items with the #7. Compostable plastics, Polyactic Acids or PLA’s, are
plant-based by using corn, rice, wheat, etc. We highly recommend the
use of PLA whenever possible to replace fossil fuel based plastics.
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