Plastics are typically labeled with a number surrounded by the recycling symbol, which identifies the type of resin used to make the plastic and its recyclability. The presence of a resin code doesn’t necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. It’s the number inside the triangle that counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. Here are the most common types of plastics and their recyclability:

• Plastic #1 - PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate): Used for water bottles, soft drink bottles, and food packaging. This type of plastic is widely accepted by most recycling programs.

• Plastic #2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): Used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, and toys. This type of plastic is also widely accepted by most recycling programs.

• Plastic #3 - V (Polyvinyl Chloride): Used for shampoo bottles, clear food packaging, cooking oil bottles, medical equipment, and piping. This type of plastic is rarely accepted by recycling programs.

• Plastic #4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene): Used for grocery bags, bread bags, shrink wrap, margarine tubs, clothing, and carpet. This type of plastic is not widely accepted by recycling programs.

• Plastic #5 - PP (Polypropylene): Used for most yogurt containers, some pancake syrup bottles, and bottle caps. This type of plastic is sometimes accepted by recycling programs.

• Plastic #6 - PS (Polystyrene) (aka Styrofoam): Used for disposable hot cups, packaging materials (peanuts), and take-out containers. This type of plastic is rarely accepted by recycling programs.

• Plastic #7: Any type of plastic that doesn’t fit into one of the first six categories falls under this heading. Products stamped with a 7 are often made out of multiple plastic types or out of other types of plastic that can’t easily be recycled. #7 products can sometimes be recycled.

Its important to note that just because a plastic type can be recycled doesn’t mean your local municipality wants you to put it into your recycling bin for collection. It’s not viable for some plastics recycling companies to take hard-to-process plastic products like Styrofoam. Bags made of type 4 plastic, like produce and grocery bags, also shouldn’t be put into recycling bins because they can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities. Grocery stores collect these bags for proper plastics recycling.