Exactly What Every Plastic Recycling Symbol Really Means

PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) is the commonest plastic for single-use bottled drinks as a result of it’s cheap, light-weight and straightforward to recycle. The PET doesn’t degrade simply in the course of the recycling course of and thus has a decrease threat of trapping decomposition merchandise that may then leach out. Its recycling charges stay comparatively low (round 20%), regardless that the fabric is in excessive demand by producers.

Found in: Soft drinks, water, ketchup and beer bottles; mouthwash bottles; peanut butter containers; salad dressing; and vegetable oil containers

How to recycle it: PET or PETE will be picked up via most curbside recycling packages, so long as it’s been emptied and rinsed of any meals. When it involves caps, our environmental professionals say it’s most likely higher to eliminate them within the trash (since they’re normally fabricated from a distinct kind of plastic), until your city explicitly says you may throw them within the recycle bin. There’s no have to take away bottle labels as a result of the recycling course of separates them.

Recycled into: Polar fleece, fiber, tote luggage, furnishings, carpet, paneling, straps, bottles and meals containers (so long as the plastic being recycled meets purity requirements and doesn’t have hazardous contaminants).