What do the recycling numbers mean on water bottles? it is true some are not safe to reuse?

Question

What do the recycling numbers mean on water bottles? it is true some are not safe to reuse?

Answer 1

No -- it just depends on your city's recycling program. Some regions do not have the capabilities of recycling all plastics.

Answer 2

The numbers identify the type of plastic and let you know whether it can be recyled

1 - PET (polyethylene)

2 - HDPE (high density polyethylene)

3 - V /PVC (vinyl or poly vinyl chloride)

4 - LDPE (low density polyethylene)

5 - PP (polyproylene)

6 - PS (polystyrene)

7 - Other

7 can not be recylcled but the others can

Answer 3

Different types of plastic need to be recycled in different ways, the numbers are there to state what type of plastic it is so that a recycler can know how to recycle it (if it's possible).

Answer 4

Its Different types of plastic. It just means hard and soft plastic. In every country they should different have number of plastic you can recycle. They have the number is to tell you what type of plastic the machines can break down. Other number of plastic that is not in your country's list than you will need to throw it in the bin.

Answer 5

It means the type of recycling process. Different types of plastic bottles goes to different recycling process. Some type(for example PET) is not safe to be reused as drinking bottle. Quoting:

"The fact is, a lot of these compounds have not really been studied in terms of their human health effects," said Margrit von Braun, a University of Idaho professor. Single-use soft-drink and water bottles are commonly made of a plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which, while considered safe for its intended use, was found to break down over time. "The longer you used it, the more stuff ended up in the water," said von Braun."

Answer 6

You already go the answer to what they mean. Not all plastics are safe for food or water storage. Many plastics including the #1 clear water bottles have only been deemed "safe" for single use. Anytime the plastic is scratched or creased it breaks the surface and can allow chemicals to leach into the water.

I hope you will take a moment to check out the 2 links I provided, they give more detailed info on the risks of plastics for drinkning water as well as the damage caused by bottled water.