The ♻️ sign doesn’t mean it’ll actually get recycled. This symbol is used to denote the type of plastic resin.
PET
Polyethylene terephthalate, is the most common plastic, often found in everyday goods, such as soft drinks, ketchup bottles, mouthwash, peanut butter.
Time to Biodegrade: 5-10 years
Recyclability: Typically, the easiest to recycle. Heat resistant barrier for gas and moisture. While PET can be made entirely of recycled plastics
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
Commonly used in making containers for milk, motor oil, shampoos and conditioners, soap bottles, detergents, and bleaches. Easy to process, resistant to moisture and chemicals.
Time to Biodegrade: 5-450 years
Recyclability: HDPE is accepted at most recycling centers in the world, as it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. Most recycling companies will collect HDPE products and take these to large facilities to be processed
PVC
Found in PVC Pipes-Also found in cooking oil packaging, windows, and wiring. This type of plastic can rarely be recycled. Resistant to grease, oil and chemicals.
Time to Biodegrade: 450 years
Recyclability: Not recyclable
LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
Frozen food packaging, shopping bags, tote bags, furniture, and toothpaste tubes.
Data from the Environmental Protection Agency confirms this. In 2015 – the most recent year for which the EPA has released data –just 6.2% of LDPE generated that year was recycled. By comparison, plastics type #1 and #2 (PET and HDPE) had recycling rates of 18.4% and 10.3%, respectively.
Time to Biodegrade: 5-10 years
Recyclability: Technically, LDPE can be recycled. Just because something can be recycled doesn't mean it will be recycled, though. Plastic bags, like grocery bags made from LDPE, have a tendency to tangle in recycling machinery and so many municipalities won't accept LDPE in curbside recycling bins. Grocery stores and other businesses that provide LDPE bags sometimes set up collection bins where customers can return used bags with the understanding that the stores will ensure they’re properly recycled. Also, some products made with LDPE are used and reused until they reach the end of their usefulness, like when consumers save grocery bags to use as trash-can liners.
Sources: Miller Recycling
Polypropylene
Syrup containers, yogurts, bottles, caps, pill bottles, and straws. 20-30 years to biodegrade.
Time to Biodegrade: 5-10 years
Recyclability: Requires specialty recycling
Polystyrene
More commonly recognized as Styrofoam. Disposable plates, meat trays, egg cartons, take-out containers Many of these plastics break apart easily, so it’s best to put these plastics in an eco-brick to prevent breakage / micro plastics.
Time to Biodegrade: 500+ years
Recyclability: Not recyclable
Sources: Colgate University
Miscellaneous
Basically, everything else- sunglasses, DVDs, smartphone cases, toys, baby bottles. The majority of these will end up in a landfill. Consult online on how best to dispose of these items.
Time to Biodegrade: Never
Recyclability: Rarely recycled
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