One of the requirements for a green living is recycling. As one of 3R, recycling is a fundamental principle of a greener lifestyle. But when it comes to recycling of plastics, recycling can be a challenge and still confusing.
Why?
Why Recycle Plastics, you have to be able to decipher the code to know which items of plastics can be recycled and which ones cannot be plastic
You've probably seen this code often. Virtually all plastic containers are marked with a number within a triangle that indicates the type of plastic. consumers can then use this information to determine whether this special plastic can be recycled or not and how to recycle it.To make things more difficult, not all areas recycling the same range of different types of plastic containers which can be recycled depends on where you live.
To start you need to break the code of the various types of plastics.Here are the basics you need to understand which products plastics can be recycled and what not.
# 1 is Polyethyleneterephthalate, or PET. This plastic is commonly used for bottles of water and sodas and is recycled everywhere. Almost all curbside collection programs will accept PET. Recycle all these.
# 2 is HDPE, which means high-density polyethylene. This plastic is found in plastic bags, milk jugs, detergent bottles, water and a few bottles of soda. recyclable HDPE is also in most programs.
# 3 is the PVC polyvinyl chloride or. PVC is a very common plastic that is unfortunately not recyclable orbiodegradable. it is used to make blisters and tubes.Plastic marked # 3 is a plastic "bad". Essentially all plastic # 3 ends up in landfills or are incinerated.
# 4 is LDPE, or low density polyethylene. you will find LDPE used as shrink wrap and water impermeable coating for milk cartons and Plastic drink cups. # 4 is not accepted in all curbside recycling programs, but some supermarket chains will accept it for recycling. Check in your local supermarket for recycling.
# 5 is PP, or polypropylene. can be found at bottle caps, medicine bottles, yogurt cups and microwave containers.the value of ofpolypropylene is its strength.PP has excellent chemical resistance and a high melting point, making it ideal for use in food containers and other reusable and microwave packaging requires durability. Plastic # 5 is accepted in some curbside programs, but not all.
# 6 is PS or polystyrene.You find the polystyrene foam takeout containers, packing, packing peanuts. Plastic marked # 6 is no other "bad plastic."Most curbside programs will not accept plastic # 6, but increasingly are some local programs. Check where you live.
# 7 is another, a catch-all category for everything that isn't # 1 to 6.Marked # 7 Plastics include bio-plastic made from corn, potato derivatives or sugar.Many plastics labeled # 7 are combinations of multi-layered over a plastic resin.Plastic # 7 is generally not recyclable, but can be biodegradable.
Understand and decipher the code plastic is the first step to be able to buy products that are recyclable and avoid those who are not tagged. focus on plastics 1,2,3,5 and avoid plastics marked 3 and 6 7 Plastics are more difficult to understand because it is mixed group of materials, some of which are biodegradable and some of which are not. I tend to avoid these for now.
