| Different Types of Plastics and How to Recycle More of Them |
| Friday, 20 January 2012 | Francisco Ramos | Article |
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Currently, 80% of American households have access to recycling programs, but most are unaware of which plastics their localities recycle. Three-quarters of the programs accept type #1 and #2 plastics, which account for 96% of all plastics recycled. Types 3 through 7 are not regularly accepted. You can find out which are recycled in your area by searching the Earth911 database. These are the seven types of plastic, what they are used for, and what they become once recycled:
Earth911 provides detailed information on all types of plastics and where you can drop them off to be recycled locally. It even notes ways to recycle certain plastics that your local community may not. For example, if your area does not recycle Polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam™), plastic #6, you can mail it to the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (AFPR), which will see that the material is reused. Local organizations that use the plastic—art studios, packaging centers and even local schools—also sometimes accept it. Although the amount of plastics recycled has grown steadily during the past 20 years, so has the amount consumed. Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles each hour. It’s important to properly dispose of these items and reuse the materials. Nearly 25% of our landfills are loaded with discarded plastic trash that could have been reused to create other durable items. One ton of plastic recycled saves 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space. Reusing or recycling the plastics we already have means not only fewer landfills, but also lessening the resources we use and the pollution we create in the manufacturing of plastics. As consumers, we must make a conscious effort not to drain our resources and desecrate our environment. As the Native American proverb goes, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” Help the Earth, Spread the Word: Share this article with family and friends by clicking on the "Email This" or "Share This" links below right. Then see TODAY'S TOP STORIES.
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(5)
Written by Teresa , January 20, 2012
HDPE is the safest to use as a drinks or food container followed by PP and LDPE; then comes PET and then PS, PC and PVC last of all. I couldn't carry a glass bottle around as it would smash and also it would be too heavy but I drink from glass beakers at home.
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Written by Teresa , January 20, 2012
I turned away from Polycarbonate bottles, beakers and water jugs and now use ones made from either glass, Polypropylene or HDPE as these two are the safest plastics.
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Written by Francisco ramos , September 25, 2009
In order to change the world, the individual must be willing to change himself first. When doing so, the scale begins to tip in the other direction. Every effort no matter how grand or small is important for a global change.
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Written by MP , September 25, 2009
It's important to note that #3 is toxic from start to finish--in its production, use and in the trash. It contains chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects. Rubber duckies, shower curtains (you know the smell) and jelly shoes are often made of it. Sometimes it's used in re-roofing, making your home a toxic waste site. If you see 3 or PV on a product--avoid it. Lack of consumer demand could help phase it out altogether.
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Free Range Studios did this great little movie about it: http://www.pvcfree.org/
Written by gcastillo5665 , September 24, 2009
Francisco,
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With all of the recent press about plastic bottles and BPA, in my opinion its time we all try and do better. I recently purchased a couple glass water bottles from Crate&Barrel. They did cost me a couple of bucks, but I haven't used a plastic bottle in over two months. It's liberating, and I feel like I'm doing my part. |
Since the first plastic bottle was recycled in 1977, the United States has steadily grown local access to recycling programs. To make it easier to recycle the maximum amount of plastics, in 1988 the 
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