Tulsa, OK

Why recycle? It’s one of the “greenest” things you can do. When you recycle a plastic bottle:

• It keeps that item out of the landfill, or trash heap, or ocean;
• It allows the materials in that item to be used again either to:
  • Make a similar product (another plastic bottle or aluminum can)
  • Make a different product (even clothing can be made out of plastic!)

So what’s the deal with plastics, and the numbers that are stamped (1-7) on these bottles and containers?

The number is the resin identification code, and indicates not only the heat required to melt this plastic, but the number of other chemicals and substances that might be in the plastic mix. Some of these other substances may prevent the melting and reuse of the plastic. Plastics must often be of nearly identical composition in order to mix efficiently when melted.

Items such as soda pop bottles, milk jugs, water bottles, juice bottles, laundry detergent bottles, soap bottles, shampoo bottles and other types of bottles that have handles or necks are usually numbered #1. This stands for PET — Polyethylene Terephthalate. Soft drink, water and salad dressing bottles; peanut butter and jam jars are included in this category. Many of these items can be reused to make things that once might have been made with polyester.

Items labeled #2 are High density polyethylene, a very durable plastic. Milk, juice and water bottles; trash and retail bags often have this number. These plastics are often remade into things like plastic tables and landscape timbers.

Items labeled #3 include juice bottles, cling films and PVC piping. This type of plastic is known as Polyvinyl chloride and is known for its versatility, clarity, ease of blending, strength, toughness.

Items labeled #4 include frozen food bags; squeezable bottles, e.g. honey, mustard; cling films; flexible container lids. This low density polyethylene has ease of processing, strength, toughness, flexibility, ease of sealing, and is a good barrier to moisture.

Items labeled #5 are made of a type of plastic known as polypropylene, which has strength, toughness, resistance to heat, chemicals, grease and oil, versatile, barrier to moisture. It is found in reusable microwaveable ware; kitchenware; yogurt containers; margarine tubs; microwaveable disposable take-away containers; disposable cups and plates.

Items labeled #6 are made of polystyrene. Items made of this type of plastic feature versatility, clarity, easily formed. Egg cartons; packing peanuts; “Styrofoam”; disposable cups, plates, trays and cutlery; disposable take-away containers;

Items labeled #7. Polycarbonate are dependent on polymers or combination or polymers in their mix. Items with this number include: beverage bottles; baby milk bottles; and electronic casing.

The quantity of post-consumer plastics recycled has increased every year since at least 1990. In 2006 the amount of plastic bottles recycled reached a record high of 2,220,000,000 pounds. The amount of PET bottles recycled in 2006 increased more than 102 million pounds compared to 2005. HDPE bottle recycling increased in 2005 to 928 million pounds. All plastic bottles were recycled at a rate of 24 percent in 2005.