What do the numbers (with a triangle around) on bottles(plastics) and cans mean?

Question

There is, for example, a 1 w/ a triangle around it, a 7, and so on...

Answer 1

The numbers denote the different types of plastic. When recycling - the same types of plastic are recycled together since each has a specific purpose. If different ones are put together - you get (7) a mix that has fewer possibilities.

1 = Poly(ethylene terephthalate):  Soda bottles, water bottles, vinegar bottles, medicine containers, backing for photography film.

Why PETE and not PET?

2 = High-density Polyethylene:  Containers for:  laundry/dish detergent, fabric softeners, bleach, milk, shampoo, conditioner, motor oil. Newer bullet proof vests, various toys.

3 = Poly(vinyl cloride):  Pipes, shower curtains, meat wraps, cooking oil bottles, baby bottle nipples, shrink wrap, clear medical tubing, vinyl dashboards and seat covers, coffee containers.

4 = Low-density Polyethylene:  Wrapping films, grocery bags, sandwich bags.

5 = Polypropylene:  Tupperware®, syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, diapers, outdoor carpet.

6 = Polystyrene:  Coffee cups, disposable cutlery and cups (clear and colored), bakery shells, meat trays, "cheap" hubcaps, packing peanuts, styrofoam insulation.

7 = The hotdog of plastics!  Products labeled as "other" are made of any combination of 1-6 or another, less commonly used plastic.

Answer 2

They also tell you whether they can be recycled or not.  Our trash service publishes a list by those numbers on the bottom that tell you whether they are accepted or not for the recycle.

Answer 3

do you mean a triangle made from arrows? it is a rate of how recyclable the kind of the plastic is. the bigger the number, the harder (the more energy needed) the recycling process is.

Answer 4

it shows the chemicals in it. the numbers can warn you if chemicals are being released when you heat it up