HDPE can be recycled into flower pots, PS can be recycled into plastic lumber,

RECYCLING PLASTICS IS
trash cans, traffic barrier cones, cassette tape boxes, flower pots...
AS EASY AS ... detergent bottles...
OTHER
1 , 2, 3 (4, 5, 6, 7)!
V (Polyvinyl chloride)
This is usually a mixture of various
The numbers shown
PVC is used in shampoo bottles, cooking oil plastics, like squeeze ketchup bottles,
inside the chasing
bottles, fast food service items... "microwaveable" dishes...
arrows refer to
different types of
PVC can be recycled into drainage and Other (number 7) is usually not recycled
plastics used in making
irrigation pipes... because it is a mixture of different types
plastic products and
of plastics.
containers.
LDPE (Low density polyethylene)
How Plastics Are Made...
The numbering system is based on a
LDPE is found in grocery bags, bread bags,
voluntary plastic guide developed by the
shrink wrap, margarine tub tops... There are two methods for making plastic
Society of The Plastics Industry (SPI).
containers, blow-molding and injection
Presently, SPI is working to improve the
LDPE can be recycled into new grocery molding. Blow-molding produces necked
numbering system to make it easier for
bags... bottles (shampoo bottles) while injection
you to know what to recycle.
molding produces tubs (margarine tubs).
PP (Polypropylene)
What Do The Numbers Mean?
Your recycling program may be based on
PP is used in most yogurt containers, the number system or on how the plastic
PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)
straws, pancake syrup bottles, bottle was made. Check with your local recycling
caps.... coordinator to find out which types of
PET is used in the production of soft drink
plastics are recyclable in your community.
bottles, peanut butter jars...
PP can be recycled into plastic lumber, car Please be sure to recycle only those
battery cases, manhole steps... plastics collected in your recycling
PET can be recycled into fiberfill for
program! Most recycling programs
sleeping bags, carpet fibers, rope,
PS (Polystyrene) accept only numbers 1 & 2 with necks!
pillows...

PS is found in disposable hot cups,

HDPE (High density polyethylene)
packaging materials (peanuts), and meat
trays...
HDPE is found in milk jugs, butter tubs,
detergent bottles, motor oil bottles...
Not all plastic consumer goods are Remember... New York State Department
identified by code numbers. Some plastic Look for plastic containers that can be of Environmental Conservation
products simply do not fit into the recycled in your communities recycling
numbering system that identifies plastics program. Call your local recycling
used in consumer containers. There are coordinator for more information. If you
actually thousands of different varieties can’t find your local recycling coordinator’s
of plastic resins or mixtures of resins that number, contact us. RECYCLING
are developed to suit the needs of
particular products. Write or call us:
NYS Department of Environmental
PLASTICS IS
Conservation
Gee Wiz Plastic Facts Division of Solid & Hazardous Materials AS
Bureau of Solid Waste Reduction &
- All plastic starts out as petroleum! Recycling
- Five PET bottles yield enough fiber for 625 Broadway
one extra-large T-shirt or one square foot Albany, New York 12233-7253
of carpet. About 1,200 soda bottles could (518) 402-8704
carpet the average living room. (Half of all
polyester carpet manufactured in the or email us at:
United States is made from recycled dshmwrr@gw.dec.state.ny.us
plastic bottles.)
- Twenty-five two-liter bottles can make and check out our web page at:
one sweater.
- Five two-liter PET bottles yield enough
www.dec.ny.gov
EASY AS ...
fiberfill for a ski jacket.
- It takes 35 two-liter PET bottles to
make enough fiberfill for a sleeping bag.
Send us your ideas and suggestions, 1, 2, 3,
we would like to hear from you!
- Plastic makes up eight percent of our
trash by weight, but is 24 percent of the (4, 5, 6, 7)
volume.
- Plastic bottles will take over 500 years
to decompose.

Printed on 100% post-consumer

recycled paper