Plastics are ubiquitous — in bottles, bags, packaging, textiles and so much else that we use every day. But not all plastic goes in the blue bin. The key to preventing waste and saving the environment is to know which plastics can be recycled. With the right knowledge, we can all make better decisions and create a more sustainable future.

Know Your Plastics: What the 7 Numbers Really Mean

If you flip a plastic container, you’ll often find a little triangle with a number inside. The Society of the Plastics Industry code is this. It identifies the kind of plastic and the processing methods for recycling facilities.

Each number is a specific type of plastic — and not all are created equal.

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

• Commonly found in: Food packing, soda bottles, and water bottles
• Recycling status: Recycling accepted by most curbside services can be easily recycled
• End products: Textile fibers, new containers, carpets

HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

• Commonly found in: Milk jugs, shampoo bottles and detergent containers
• Recycling status: Very commonly accepted
• End products: Plastic lumber, benches, piping

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

• Commonly found in: Pipes, vinyl floors, medical devices
• Recycling status: Rarely accepted curbside
• End products: Paneling, cables, non-essential construction materials

LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)

• Commonly found in: Grocery bags, bread bags, squeeze bottles
• Recycling status: Accepted at participating drop-off locations
• End products: Garbage bags, outdoor items

PP (Polypropylene)

• Commonly found in: Yogurt containers, straws, parts for cars
• Recycling status: Increasingly accepted
• End products: Battery cases, bins, automotive applications

PS (Polystyrene)

• Commonly found in: Seen in packaging peanuts, foam cups, and takeout containers
• Recycling status: Rarely recycled
• End products: Is used in insulation or school supplies

Other (Mixed Plastics)

• Commonly found in: Sunglasses, CDs, multilayered packaging
• Recycling status: Hard and seldomly accepted
• End products: Plastic Wood, custom parts

Sort Smart: What You Can Do

Knowing which plastics are recyclable won’t cut it — you must follow through. Here are some ways to do better at recycling:

• If unsure, utilize plastics #1 and #2.
• Always rinse containers before recycling.
• Do not recycle greasy or food-soiled items.
• Don’t commingle plastics in one bin.

Technology and Smarter Recycling

Given the present need for effective recycling, the role of technology is crucial. Such as at General Kinematics where complex waste streams are sorted, cleaned, and processed with state-of-the-art vibratory systems. These devices will also ensure that more of what we discard makes it back into the production cycle, and not into the dump.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the types of plastic and how to recycle them can allow people and businesses to make greener choices. And when we capture the right materials and don’t make basic mistakes, the impacts can be tangible and measurable.

Thanks to advancements in technologies developed by companies like General Kinematics, recycling is always getting better, which brings hope for a cleaner and more responsible tomorrow.

These initiatives help to eliminate wastage and conserve precious resources for the generations to come. By adopting smarter recycling, we can all play a part in a more resilient circular economy. Each informed decision you make today contributes to a healthier planet tomorrow.