![]() Since foam products tend to break apart into smaller pieces, you should place them in a bag, squeeze out the air and tie it up before putting it in the trash to prevent pellets from dispersing.Recycling symbols decoded: what these 15 symbols mean Recycling is essential for ensuring the wellbeing of our planet going forward, but it can be difficult to figure out what each of the recycling symbols actually mean. #Recycle sign how to#How to recycle it: Not many curbside recycling programs accept PS in the form of rigid plastics (and many manufacturers have switched to using PET instead). Most places still don't accept it in foam forms because it's 98% air.įound in: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carry-out containers, aspirin bottles, compact disc cases ![]() The material was long on environmentalists' hit lists for dispersing widely across the landscape, and for being notoriously difficult to recycle. Styrene monomer (a type of molecule) can leach into foods and is a possible human carcinogen, while styrene oxide is classified as a probable carcinogen. ![]() PS (polystyrene) can be made into rigid or foam products - in the latter case, it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam. Recycled into: Polar fleece, fiber, tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling, straps, bottles and food containers (as long as the plastic being recycled meets purity standards and doesn't have hazardous contaminants) There's no need to remove bottle labels because the recycling process separates them. When it comes to caps, our environmental pros say it’s probably better to dispose of them in the trash (since they're usually made of a different type of plastic), unless your town explicitly says you can throw them in the recycle bin. How to recycle it: PET or PETE can be picked up through most curbside recycling programs as long as it's been emptied and rinsed of any food. Its recycling rates remain relatively low (around 20%), even though the material is in high demand by manufacturers.įound in: Soft drinks, water, ketchup and beer bottles mouthwash bottles peanut butter containers salad dressing and vegetable oil containers It poses a low risk of leaching breakdown products. PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages because it's inexpensive, lightweight and easy to recycle. ![]() Of course, the symbols themselves need explaining, too. Even if there isn't a way for your town to recycle a certain material, he says there's still a chance they might collect it anyways and either store it or dispose of it. Plus, "there are times when your recycling program may change what it collects," says Mike Brown of Brown and Wilmanns Environmental, one of Good Housekeeping's environmental consultants. How to know what plastics can be recycledĮvery town and city has different recycling programs, so you'll often have to check your location's rules to find out exactly what you can recycle. #Recycle sign plus#Here, our environmental experts share what each plastic recycling symbol means, plus examples of where each symbol is found and how to recycle it. From helping you decode eco-friendly claims to sharing the winners of our Sustainable Innovation Awards, we're here to help you make smarter decisions for your home and the environment. Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, our team is passionate about sustainability and the environment. FYI: Just because a product has the chasing arrows symbol, doesn't mean it's recyclable - it's just an indicator of the type of plastic While the universal plastic resin symbol (three chasing arrows forming a triangle) remains the same, the numbers one through seven inside make a significant difference. ![]() With all the different rules and symbols, it can be confusing for consumers to figure out exactly what each plastic recycling symbol means and how to recycle it. Many plastics can be recycled in theory, but according to the UN, only about 9% of plastic waste generated has ever even been recycled. In fact, a recent study says that about 8 million tons of plastic packaging end up in our oceans every year. The versatile material is in our cars, toys, packaging, clothing, home goods, food utensils and so much more - but it's also littering our streets, clogging our waterways and choking marine life. Sometimes it seems like everything in modern America is made of plastic. ![]()
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