Have you ever stood in front of the recycling bin at home, a plastic ready-meal container in one hand and a can of Pringles in the other, completely puzzled as to which parts exactly are recyclable - and what those recycling symbols on the packaging actually mean?
You’re not alone - whether it's with your partner, housemate, or family, what can/cannot be recycled is always sure to stir up a debate within the household! So, for Global Recycling Day 2023, I’ve compiled the ultimate guide to recycling plastic waste, including:
What plastics can and cannot be recycled
Breakdown of the different plastic recycling symbols
And extra resources that can help you reduce your plastic waste to lessen your harmful impact on the planet
Of course, different countries/councils will have different recycling guidelines, but this guide will show you what plastics are better for you and the planet.
Keep reading for a full breakdown of the different plastic recycling symbols and what they mean so you can know for sure which plastics are recyclable:
1) The Different Types of Plastics
You may already be aware that plastic is generally bad for the environment - but did you know that there are actually seven different types of plastic?
The 7 different types of plastic are categorised into the following, and each one has different regulations and guidelines on how they should be recycled:
PETE
HDPE
V/PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Other
Don’t worry if none of this makes sense to you yet - we’ll now break these categories down, along with their respective recycling symbols that you’ll see on their packaging and how they should be recycled.
2) Plastic Recycling Symbols Explained
PETE (Plastic 1)
PETE plastic (Plastic 1) is the type of plastic that’s most commonly used, and its disposable nature makes it great for on-the-go items like plastic water bottles. Despite mostly being used for disposable items, this type of plastic is actually highly recyclable - so make sure to check your packaging for the Number 1 symbol and pop it in your regular recycling bin.
Better yet, why not switch to a reusable water bottle and cut out disposable plastics for good?
HDPE (Plastic 2)
HDPE plastic (Number 2) 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’s actually considered the most eco-friendly plastic as it releases zero harmful fumes and doesn't have to be maintained. So, be sure to add this one to your regular recycling waste, too!
V/PVC (Plastic 3)
'V' plastic, aka 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 and is also used a lot in construction for various materials like window frames and pipes. However, its nickname is "The Poison Plastic" as less than 1% of PVC plastics can be recycled - so make sure to keep this plastic out of your curbside recycling bin!
LDPE (Plastic 4)
LDPE plastic is one of the less toxic forms of plastic, which means it's often used in consumer products like plastic bags and squeeze bottles. Despite its popularity, its low-density format makes it unrecyclable - hence the 10p bag charge at supermarkets!
It’s best to avoid this type of plastic and instead bring your reusable tote bag with you whenever you go shopping.
PP (Plastic 5)
If you're a fan of a good old microwave meal then you'll have a lot of ‘PP’ plastic in your kitchen. What makes PP so great is its heat resistance, so it can be used in everything from medicine bottles to kitchen Tupperware. It's also 100% recyclable - so make sure to double-check those labels before throwing anything away & make sure you're recycling all the PP plastic you can!
PS (Plastic 6)
Unfortunately, PS (type 6) is another unsafe plastic on our list. Often used in disposable containers like polystyrene, it's not safe to use in the kitchen as it leaches harmful chemicals when exposed to heat. Be sure to always read plastic packaging labels carefully to ensure you're using containers that are safe to eat from, and generally try to avoid this plastic as it’s both unsafe and unrecyclable.
Other (Plastic 7)
Finally, the ‘Other' category of plastics is 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 if you can, try to find other ways of re-purposing these plastics to give them a new life.
3) Extra Resources
If you’d like to find out more about Global Recycling Day and its mission to spread awareness of the power of recycling, you can visit the website here, and if you’re looking to take small steps to reduce your plastic waste without going completely plastic-free, check out our other posts on the blog and join the ATG community on Instagram to take that important first step!
Want more tips on how to recycle those tricky items, from teabags to pizza boxes? Check out this article from The Guardian on How to Recycle (Almost) Everything.
At All Things Green, we share simple, eco-friendly tips to help you lead an imperfect sustainable lifestyle.
We believe that ‘small steps are still steps’, and that we can all have a positive impact on the planet - no matter how small.
Join the ATG community today and take that first step towards an imperfect sustainable future by following us on Instagram!
Want to read more? Take a look at our previous blog posts, bag yourself some amazing discounts on eco-friendly products, and find out more about our story all right here on the All Things Green website.
Thanks for reading and see you soon!
Naomi 💚
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