Recycling Codes Explained: What Plastics #1-7 Mean

Flip over almost any plastic container, and you'll find a small number from 1 to 7 inside a triangle. It's easy to assume that it's a recycling symbol, but it isn't.

That number is a resin identification code that tells you what type of plastic the item is made from. The Society of the Plastics Industry created the system in 1988 to help recycling facilities sort plastics. Today, ASTM International manages the codes, and newer packaging often shows them inside a solid triangle instead of chasing arrows to make clear the symbol identifies the plastic rather than promising it can be recycled.

Whether an item can actually be recycled depends on the type of plastic and, just as importantly, on what your local recycling program accepts.

Recycling Codes 1–7 Explained

#1 PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)

Water and soda bottles, food jars, many cleaner bottles. These are widely accepted.

#2 HDPE (high-density polyethylene)

Milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles. These are widely accepted.

#3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

Pipes, vinyl siding, some clear packaging. These are rarely accepted curbside.

#4 LDPE (low-density polyethylene)

Plastic bags, shrink wrap, squeeze bottles. These usually aren't accepted curbside, but many stores have drop-off bins for bags and film.

#5 PP (polypropylene)

Yogurt tubs, bottle caps, takeout containers. These are increasingly accepted curbside, so check your local program.

#6 PS (polystyrene)

Foam cups and takeout boxes, disposable cutlery. These are rarely accepted.

#7 Other

Mixed plastics, polycarbonate, and some bioplastics like PLA. These are rarely accepted.

In general, #1 and #2 plastic resins are the safest bet for your recycling bin. Never put plastic bags in curbside recycling unless your program says to; they tangle sorting equipment.

Recycling vs. Reusing vs. Biodegrading

Not every plastic that can't be recycled has to go straight to the trash, and not every "eco" label means what it sounds like.

• Recycling means the plastic is collected, sorted, and processed into new material. This works best for plastics with strong end markets, like #1 and #2.
• Reusing gives an item a second life before it's thrown away. Sturdy containers, including some #5 tubs and #6 polystyrene trays, can be washed and used again for storage, crafts, or packing material.
• Biodegrading means microorganisms break a material down into natural substances. Most plastics, including most #7 plastics, don't biodegrade in any practical timeframe. Some bioplastics, such as PLA, are compostable, but usually only in industrial composting facilities, not in landfills or backyard compost bins.

What About Simple Green Bottles?

All Simple Green bottles are made from #1 PET and #2 HDPE plastic, the two types most widely accepted in curbside recycling programs. They're made with no added BPA or intentionally added phthalates.

Before recycling, empty and rinse the bottle and remove the trigger sprayer, which is typically made of mixed materials and isn't recyclable curbside.

What You Can Recycle in Your Town

Recycling plastics varies from city to city, so the best way to know what belongs in your bin is to check locally. Visit your city or county waste management website, or search by ZIP code with a tool like Earth911's recycling locator. When in doubt, leave it out, since one wrong item can contaminate a whole batch of recyclables.