Table of Contents
Which Plastics Are Recyclable By Number? #1: PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) #2: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) #3: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) #4: LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) #5: PP (Polypropylene) #6: PS (Polystyrene) #7: Polycarbonate, BPA, and Other Plastics.
Can I recycle plastic number 7?
Number 7 plastics are a myriad of materials, most commonly Polycarbonate (PC) that contains Bisphenol A (BPA). Baby bottles, car parts and sunglasses are common examples of other plastics. Not every number 7 plastic can be recycled or reused so it’s important to check your local council’s policy for this type.
What numbers can be recycled in Australia?
Here we explain the type of plastic relating to each symbol. 1 – PET or Polyethylene Terephthalate. The easiest plastic to recycle. 2 – HDPE or High Density Polyethylene. 3 – PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride. 4 – LDPE or Low Density Polyethylene. 5 – PP or Polypropylene. 6 – PS or Polystyrene. 6 – PS or Polystyrene. 7 – Other.
What are #1 through #7 plastics?
Plastics by the Numbers #1 – PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) #2 – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) #3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) #4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) #5 – PP (Polypropylene) #6 – PS (Polystyrene) #7 – Other (BPA, Polycarbonate and LEXAN).
What are #6 plastics?
The #6 identifies the resin of the plastic which makes polystyrene, but the arrows around the number do not mean that it is recyclable. This type of plasitc is either hard of soft (foam, also known as Styrofoam). Both should go in the landfill. Foam polystyrene, like that found in packaging, is made of mostly air.
What plastics Cannot be recycled Australia?
Items that cannot be recycled at home: Plastic bags. Polystyrene such as foam packaging/food trays. Window glass, light globes, mirrors. Pyrex, crockery, drinking glasses. Sharps and syringes. Nappies. Waxed or cardboard containers with food scraps, tissue paper and napkins cannot be recycled.
Can you recycle plastic 5 in Australia?
Polypropylene materials can be used to create products like clothing, tubs, ropes or bottles and can be turned in to fibres when recycled properly. Ecobins are made from a class 5 plastic and are fully recyclable at the end of their life. These materials can be placed in your local council kerbside recycling bin.
Is Type 6 plastic recyclable?
Although you may read that #6 plastic or polystyrene is “accepted” by your local recycling hauler, it is often not recoverable. As with straws and bottle caps, these items are difficult to recycle because they don’t fall easily out of recycling sorting lines the way containers do.
Is number 6 plastic safe?
To summarize, plastics in categories #2, #4 and #5 are generally considered safe. Be weary of putting them in the microwave, even if they are labeled “microwave-safe”. Plastics #1, #3, #6 and #7 should be used with varying to extreme caution, especially around food or drink.
What are #5 plastics?
#5 Plastic: Polypropylene Plastic number 5 or PP plastic (polypropylene) is the second-most widely produced plastic. Being light, heat resistant and sturdy, PP is applied to various packaging. Today plastic 5 is commonly used in: Yogurt containers.
What does recycle 5 mean?
5 Plastic Recycling Symbols #5: PP. PP (polypropylene) has a high melting point, so it’s often chosen for containers that will hold hot liquid. It’s gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers. Found in: Some yogurt containers, syrup and medicine bottles, caps, straws.
Can I recycle polystyrene 06?
You may not know Polystyrene, or plastic no 6, can be recycled. It can’t be recycled in your recycling bin, but there are specialist recyclers who will take it. Curbside recycling programs usually don’t allow polystyrene because it’s challenging to manage.
Will #5 plastic shrink?
If you’re wondering can you use #5 plastic for making shrink plastic, unfortunately the answer is no. #6 plastic is the only plastic you can use. Polystyrene is used in rigid plastics as well as Styrofoam, which poses the question, Are Shrinky Dinks Safe?.
Is BPA free number 7 plastic safe?
Code 7 is the recycling code for plastics that contain BPA and must be avoided at all cost. Although codes 3 and 6 technically do not contain BPA, the chemicals that are used to manufacture these products also pose serious risks to our health.
Can C PP 90 be recycled?
PP can be recycled. However, you will need to check with your Local Authority to ensure it is recycled in your area. You can recycle this plastic if your Local Authority mentions: Packing tape.
Which of these items you Cannot recycle?
A. Plastic milk bottles. B. Plastic food trays. C. CD/DVD cases. D. Plastic cups.
Can thongs be recycled Australia?
Australians love their thongs and now they can give their worn-out Havaianas a second life thanks to a new free national recycling program in partnership with TerraCycle. With every one in ten Aussies wearing Havis, the program is aiming to divert five tonnes of old footwear from landfills.
Can Pet 1 be recycled?
1: PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate) It’s also used to make cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars and containers for other popular food items. PET/PETE products CAN be recycled.
What plastic is recycled in Australia?
Currently operating in South Australia, NSW and Queensland, these schemes accept selected plastic drink containers (made of PET and HDPE plastics). Collect and return to store. Companies like REDcycle collect soft, single-use plastic that consumers return to major supermarkets and on-sell, largely to Replas.
Why is black plastic not recyclable?
The majority of conventional black plastic packaging is coloured using carbon black pigments which do not enable the pack to be sorted using Near Infra-Red (NIR) technology widely used in plastics recycling. As a result, black plastic packaging commonly ends up as residue and is disposed of in landfill or incinerated.
