Understanding the types of plastic

Every wondered what the number in the triangle on a plastic bottle means.

They mean something to waste recyclers and you can increase your recycling by picking the lower numbers.

On every plastic item of packaging you should be able to find a triangle made up of curved arrows with a number or some letters in the middle. Here is what they all mean:

Number 1: PET - Polyethylene terephthalate - Fizzy drink bottles and oven-ready meal trays.

Number 2: HDPE - High-density polyethylene - Bottles for milk and washing-up liquids.

Number 3: PVC - Polyvinyl chloride - Food trays, cling film, bottles for squash, mineral water and shampoo.

Number 4: LDPE - Low density polyethylene - Carrier bags and bin liners.

Number 5: PP - Polypropylene - Margarine tubs, microwaveable meal trays.

Number 6: PS - Polystyrene - Yoghurt pots, foam trays, hamburger boxes, vending cups, plastic cutlery, protective packaging for electronic goods and toys.

Number 7: OTHER - Any other plastics that do not fall into any of the above categories. - An example is melamine, which is often used in plastic plates and cups.

The numbers are important because while some claim all plastics can be recycled the plastics with the low numbers are easier to recycle. This means that there are a lot more people willing to pay for that waste and turn it into something useful.
So next time you are at the shops, stop and think - if you have to buy plastic packaging and let's face it, it is difficult not to - then pick something with a 1 or 2 in the triangle.

You'll find more places available to recycle it.

Of course if you can avoid plastic altogether that's better still.

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