Yes everyone, this post will be about how to recycle. I know it seems so easy, but it can get confusing. Did you ever flip over a bottle and see the numbers within the recycling symbol and wonder what these are? Don’t worry this is what I’ll talk about!

What are the Main Types of Plastics?

1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE)
2. High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
3. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
4. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)
6. Polystyrene (PS)
7. Other (ex: polycarbonate resins, acrylic, polyactic fibers, nylon, fiberglass)

Plastic Recycling Symbols

Want to know what your plastic os made of? It’s easy! Just look at the Resin Identification Code (RIC), the number between  1 and 7, within the recycling symbol. Each recycling program accepts different plastic materials, so this will help you determine what you can recycle.

Let’s look at this chart by WebstaurantStore. This helps you determine which plastic materials go with the material they are made from. Look carefully at how each can be recycled:

To find out what your community recycles, contact local recycling centers or visit your state’s Environmental Protection Agency.

Other Recyclable Materials

• Paper: paper is almost always recycled in communities.
• Aluminum: Aluminum cans are one the most highly recycled products. Most towns accept these cans, or you can visit a local supermarket which may also collect them.
• Steel: Most communities collect steel cans and other food packaging containers, plus aerosol cans
• Glass: lass food containers (jars and bottles) are normally recyclable
• Yard Trimmings/ Food Scraps: these tend to be seasonal collections. You can also start your own composting for these materials!

Take note that every town has a different recycling program. Make sure to look up yours and learn how to properly sort your recycling.

Challenge #5: If you don’t already know your towns recycling protocol, look it up! Try to recycle all of the above materials depending on what your town collects.