1…2…5…?
Okay. That wasn’t expected.
But those are the codes to the recycling bank one should always keep in mind, though No. 5 is less available than the top two.
The associated categories that an individual can remember for recycling basics are polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP), which means water bottles or plastic trays (1), milk cartons (2) and yogurt containers (5). These are the numbers that are typically recycled, though numbers one and two are the most common. Some areas won’t take number five. And the other numbers are even rarer, or not possible, on the 1-7 scale.
One thing that needs to be said before going further into your recycling adventure is that when sending a plastic item to a recycler, make sure that the plastic is clean and dry.
Other Tips for what not to recycle
Plastic bags (Try and ask for paper or use cloth bags)
Compostable bags: These can injure the equipment at a recycling center.
Foam packaging or bubble wrap is not recyclable–nor is packing peanuts.
Nov. 15 is America Recycles Day. Check out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website for more information on plastic and other types of recycling.