Plastic recycling symbols also known as resin identification codes, are standardized symbols used to identify the type of plastic resin used in a product.

• Polyethylene terephthalate PETE or PET (#1): beverage bottles
• High-density polyethylene HDPE (#2): milk jugs and detergent bottles
• Polyvinyl chloride PVC (#3): pipes and some packaging
• Low-density polyethylene LDPE (#4): found in plastic bags and flexible packaging
• Polypropylene PP (#5): used in yogurt containers and bottle caps
• Polystyrene PS (#6): found in foam packaging and disposable cups
• Miscellaneous plastics like polycarbonate (#7): specialty items

These symbols allow consumers and recyclers to easily identify and sort plastics according to their resin type.

Some plastics that are typically not recycled or are difficult to recycle include:

• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
• Polystyrene (PS)
• Mixed plastics
• Certain plastics with chemical contaminants

To address the current environmental challenges, it is important to reduce plastic consumption, choose recyclable materials whenever possible, and properly dispose of plastic waste.

Not all plastics are 100% recyclable. The recyclability of any plastic item mainly depends on key factors such as - type, quality, and the availability of recycling facilities capable of processing it. Plastics are categorized into different resin codes, ranging from #1 to #7, based on their chemical composition and properties. While some plastics, such as Polyethylene Terephthalate or PET (#1) and High-Density Polyethylene or HDPE (#2), are commonly recycled, others such as PVC (#3) and polystyrene (#6), are less commonly recycled.

Plastic recycling is converting waste plastic materials into products that are usable. The process involves collecting unwanted plastic items, organizing them based on their type and quality, cleaning and shredding them into smaller pieces, and then reforming these pieces into fresh plastic products. This recycling procedure helps –

• conserve natural resources
• reduce the need for new plastic production
• minimize pollution and environmental degradation