It is the recycling number found generally at the bottom of the container or in a lower corner. It is meant to help those engaged in recycling to sort out plastics in the most efficient way possible.
There are seven types of plastics. Soft drink bottles are made of PET or PETE, a common type of plastics. This number one plastic is made of polyethylene terephthalate.
Number 2 plastics are made of high-density polyethylene. They are denoted by the letters HDPE. Water and juice bottles are generally made of this type of plastic.
The letters PVC denote Number 3 plastics. Because of their ability to withstand chemicals they are used to make shampoo bottles and detergent bottles. PVC is also used in piping. It is rarely recycled though.
Number 4 types are known as LDPE, or low-density polyethylene. Food packets, ketchup bottles and squeezable bottles are made of this and they are also generally not recyclable.
Number 5 plastics denoted by the letters PP are made from polypropylene. Medicine bottles, plastic caps and straws are made of this.
The letters PS stand for polystyrene. Take-away food packs including meal trays are made of number 6 plastic.
All other plastics come under O which means ‘Other’. They can’t be recycled but they last a long time and can be reused. Giant water bottles used in water coolers, sunglasses, electronic items like CDs and DVDs and nylon come under the No 7 category.
Picture Credit : Google
