Did you know that there are seven different types of plastics!? They all have different properties which means they all need to be recycled differently - super complicated!
I know in my household there's always arguments about what can and can't go in the recycling bin with all these different rules.
So with it being Plastic Free July 2022 what better time to explain the differences between plastics and which can / cannot be recycled. Because reducing your plastic footprint doesn't have to be about being 100% plastic-free it can also be choosing better packaging options that you know you can recycle responsibly.
What do the different plastic recycling symbols mean?
Plastic 1 (PETE)
PETE plastic is probably the plastic you most commonly use. It's disposable nature means it's great for one-the-go items like plastic water bottles. Despite being used for disposable items it's highly recyclable! So make sure to check you packaging and if you see a number one - pop it in the recycling bin.
Plastic 2 (HDPE)
HDPE plastic is much more durable than PETE plastic. It has a wide range of uses, from motor oil containers to shampoo and soap bottles, which is why it's one of the safest forms of plastic. Once recycled it is considered the most eco-friendly plastic as it gives off no harmful fumes and doesn't have to be maintained. So make sure to recycle it!
Plastic 3 (V/PVC)
V plastic, or PVC, is widely used due to its flexible nature. It's the perfect storage material, being used for food wrap (like clingfilm) and blood storage bags. It's also used a lot in construction such as window frames and pipes. However. it's nickname is "The Poison Plastic" as less than 1% of PVC plastics are recycled. This plastic cannot go into your curb side recycling bin.
Plastic 4 (LDPE)
LDPE plastic is one of the lesser toxic forms of plastic which means it's used in consumer products like plastic bags and squeeze bottles. Despite it's many used, it's low density format means it's not recyclable. So this is your minder to keep and re-use your plastic bags!
Plastic 5 (PP)
If you're a fan of the microwave meal then you'll have a lot of PP plastic in your kitchen. What makes PP so great is it's heat resistant so microwave safe! It can be used for medicine bottles to kitchen wear. It's 100% recyclable so make sure to double check those labels to make sure you're recycling all the PP plastic you can!
Plastic 6 (PS)
One of the lesser safe plastics is PS. It's used for disposable containers like polystyrene. It's not safe to use in the kitchen as it leaches harmful chemicals when exposed to heat. Always read plastic packaging labels carefully to ensure you're using containers that are safe to eat from. Another negative of PS plastic is it's not recyclable, so avoid as much as you can.
Plastic 7 (Other)
Your 'Other' plastics are a mix of random items, everything from CDs to baby bottles to car parts. This category also includes highly toxic BPA plastics so again do your research before using this type of plastic at home. It's also not recyclable so find other ways of re-purposing these plastics to give them a new life.
I hope this guide has been helpful! And if you're trying to remind certain members of your household how important it is to recycle, maybe send them a link to this post 😉
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