A Closer
Look at Plastics
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| There are many types of plastic in common
use. Plastic must be sorted by type for recycling since each type
melts at a different temperature and has different properties. The
plastics industry has developed an identification system (or identification
codes) to label the different types of plastic. The identification
system divides plastic into seven distinct types and uses a number
code generally found on the bottom of containers. The following table
explains the seven code system. |
| Code |
Plastic Type |
Recycling Options |
 |
Plastic #1: Polyethylene
Terephthalate (PET)
Common uses: 2-liter soda bottles, cooking oil bottles, peanut
butter jars. |
This is the most widely
recycled plastic and the only one with a redemption value under the
California "Bottle Bill." Many recycling programs and centers
request that you remove caps and flatten the bottles. Opaque or colored
plastic containers cannot be accepted for reycling. |
 |
Plastic
#2: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Common uses: detergent bottles, milk jugs, grocery bags. |
Most curbside
recycling programs and recycling centers accept rigid narrow neck
containers. Opaque or colored plastic containers cannot be accepted
for reycling. |
 |
Plastic #3: Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC)
Common uses: plastic pipes, outdoor furniture, shrink wrap,
water bottles, salad dressing and liquid detergent containers. |
Recycling centers almost
never take #3 plastic. Look for alternatives whenever possible. |
 |
Plastic
#4: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Common uses: dry cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners,
food storage containers. To learn more about these bags go to www.trashbaginfo.com. |
Some stores
that accept HDPE (#2) bags also accept LDPE (#4) bags. |
 |
Plastic #5: Polypropylene
(PP)
Common uses: aerosol caps, drinking straws. |
Recycling centers almost
never take #5 plastic. Look for alternatives whenever possible. |
 |
Plastic
#6: Polystyrene (PS)
Common uses: packaging pellets or "Styrofoam peanuts,"
cups, plastic tableware, meat trays, to-go "clam shell"
containers. |
Many shipping/packaging
stores will accept polystyrene peanuts and other packaging materials
for reuse. Cups, meat trays, and other containers that have come in
contact food are more difficult to recycle. |
 |
Plastic #7: Other
Common uses: certain kinds of food containers and Tupperware.
|
This plastic category, as
its name of "other" implies, is any plastic other than the
named #1 through #6 plastic types. These containers can be any of
the several different types of plastic polymers. Recycling centers
do not take plastic #7. Look for alternatives. |
|
Special Note:
Plastic recycling can be very confusing. Not all plastic is the
same. Plastic #1 is not plastic #5. Even within the same plastic
group there are differences. A plastic #2 narrow neck milk jug is
not the same as a plastic #2 wide mouth yogurt cup. You can help
keep the costs of collection, sorting and reprocessing down and
keep the value of the plastic high by recycling only those types
of plastic that are currently accepted for recycling.
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Calaveras
County Department of Public Works/Solid Waste Division
891 Mountain Ranch Road
San Andreas, CA 95249
209-754-6403
209-754-6725 (FAX)
CCSolidWaste@CO.CALAVERAS.CA.US
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