Seven Symbols Everyone Who Recycles Should Know

These Symbols Are Used to Organize Plastic Materials

Plastic containers often feature a recycling symbol on the back or bottom of the product with a number in the middle.  But what do these symbols mean?  Read this numeric guide to learn more.

If the container has the following number, it means:

#1- This plastic is the most common plastic found in recycling bins.  Typically, this plastic product is found in soda and water bottle and food containers.

#2- Known for not being transparent, this plastic is typically found in products such as household cleaner bottles, shampoo bottles, and detergent bottles.

#3- This plastic makes up pipes, food wrap and containers, and more.  This plastic is not recyclable.

#4- Found in shopping bags, food wrap and packaging, and fabric materials.  Oftentimes, these plastic materials are not accepted into recycling bins but these products can be recycled if taken to an appropriate recycling plant.

#5- This plastic makes up medicine bottles, ketchup and condiment bottles, and other food containers.  These products can easily be recycled.

#6- Typically, plastic number six is Styrofoam or products made of Styrofoam.  This product cannot be recycled.

#7- Any plastic container or product that does not fit into categories one through six belongs to category seven.  This can include products such as sunglasses, technology cases, and more.

As a general guide: numbers one, two, and five are the easiest plastics to recycle through the traditional means of placing the products in recycling containers.

Remember to check the bottom of plastic containers to make recycling easier!  Just because a product is plastic, such as a plastic bag, doesn't mean that it is recyclable.

This information was gathered from Natural Society's article: "The Numbers On Plastic Bottles: What Do Plastic Recycling Symbols Mean?" on http://naturalsociety.com/.

This post was re-purposed and updated from an earlier Grady's GreenLiving Tips post: "What Are These Recycling Symbols? A Numbered Guide" published on January 24, 2017.  Read the original post here.

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.