Symbol
1 (PETE)
Made From
Polyethylene
terephthalate
2
(HDPE)
High density
polyethylene
3 (V)
Vinyl or pvc
4 (LDPE)
Low density
polyethylene
5 (PP)
Polypropylene
6 (PS)
Polystyrene
7
(OTHER)
Miscellaneous
Two Examples
Pop bottles, water bottles,
peanut butter containers, salad
dressing containers
Milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent
and household cleaner bottles,
shampoo bottles, motor oil
bottles
Window cleaner and detergent
bottles, clear food packaging,
medical equipment, siding,
windows, piping
Squeezable bottles, plastic bags,
clothing, furniture, carpet
Yogurt containers, syrup bottles,
ketchup bottles, caps, straws,
medicine bottles
Disposable cups and plates, meat
trays, egg cartons, carry-out
containers
Large volume water jugs, bulletproof materials, sunglasses, signs
and displays
What it is Recycled Into
Polar fleece, tote bags, furniture,
carpet
Laundry detergent bottles, oil bottles,
pens, recycling containers, floor tile,
lumber, benches, doghouses, picnic
tables, fencing
Decks, paneling, mudflaps, flooring,
cables, speed bumps, mats
Positive/Negative Aspects
Inexpensive, lightweight, easy to
recycle, low risk of leaching
breakdown products
Versatile, used in packaging, low risk
of leaching, easily recycled
Tough, weathers well, but contains
chlorine so it can release highly
dangerous dioxins
Trash can liners and can, compost
bins, lumber, landscaping ties, floor
tile
Signal lights, battery cables, brooms,
brushes, ice scrapers, bicycle racks
Flexible, many applications but not
traditionally accepted at curbside
recycling programs
Has a high melting point is good at
holding hot liquid
Insulation, light switch plates, egg
cartons, rulers, foam packing, carryout containers
Plastic lumber, custom made products
Can be made into foam products,
but can leach potential toxins into
food, can be difficult to recycle
Some can be compostable, can leach
potential hormone disruptors