What do those number symbols on plastic bottles and containers mean? (And why are they so small?!) Find out which plastics are safe, which may leak chemicals, and how to recycle plastic with this Plastics Identification Chart.
Interestingly, the number of symbols inside the triangles on plastic bottles and containers was not meant to help us identify which ones to recycle. The Society of Plastics Industry, now known as the Plastics Industry Association, started this number system to identify the plastic resin content. Maybe that’s why the numbers are so hard to see!
It gets more complicated because every local recycling facility collects different types of plastics, and you need to contact your recycling center to know which plastics get collected.
Bottom-line, there are seven types of plastics. Generally, most recyclers accept plastics #1 and #2. Plastics #3 to #6 are more difficult to recycle, and some recycling centers do not process them. Plastic #7 is even more challenging to recycle and is almost always excluded.
Plastics Identification and Recycling Chart
Here are the seven standard classifications for plastics and the recycling and reuse information for each type.
In your quest to go green, use this guide to use and sort plastic. The number, usually found with a triangle symbol on a container, indicates the type of resin used to produce the plastic. Visit EARTH911.COM for recycling information in your state.
 | NUMBER 1 • PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) IS USED IN: microwavable food trays; salad dressing, soft drink, water, and juice bottles STATUS: hard to clean; absorbs bacteria and flavors; avoid reusing IS RECYCLED TO MAKE: carpet, furniture, new containers, Polar fleece |
 | NUMBER 2 • HDPE (high-density polyethylene) IS USED IN: household cleaner and shampoo bottles, milk jugs, yogurt tubs STATUS: transmits no known chemicals into food IS RECYCLED TO MAKE: detergent bottles, fencing, floor tiles, pens |
 | NUMBER 3 • V or PVC (vinyl) IS USED IN: cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, mouthwash, bottles STATUS: is believed to contain phthalates that interfere with hormonal development; avoid IS RECYCLED TO MAKE: cables, mud flaps, paneling, roadway gutters |
 | NUMBER 4 • LDPE (low-density polyethylene) IS USED IN: bread and shopping bags, carpet, clothing, furniture STATUS: transmits no known chemicals into food IS RECYCLED TO MAKE: envelopes, floor tiles, lumber, trash-can liners |
 | NUMBER 5 • PP (polypropylene) IS USED IN: ketchup bottles, medicine and syrup bottles, drinking straws STATUS: transmits no known chemicals into food IS RECYCLED TO MAKE: battery cables, brooms, ice scrapers, rakes |
 | NUMBER 6 • PS (polystyrene) IS USED IN: disposable cups and plates, egg cartons, take-out containers STATUS: is believed to leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food; avoid IS RECYCLED TO MAKE: foam packaging, insulation, light switchplates, rulers |
 | NUMBER 7 • Other (miscellaneous) IS USED IN: 3- and 5-gallon water jugs, nylon, some food containers STATUS: contains bisphenol A, which has been linked to heart disease and obesity; avoid IS RECYCLED TO MAKE: custom-made products |
Types of Plastics
Did that chart make your eyes glaze over? To help, here is more information about the different types of plastics so you can better understand which ones are safe and which are toxic for food and drink consumption.
#1: PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
Water bottles and plastic soda bottles are the most common containers made out of PET. It’s OK to recycle.
However, avoid reusing plastic containers made of PET. Why? PET is meant for single-use applications; repeated use increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. Plus, it’s hard to clean or remove harmful chemicals. PET may leach carcinogens.
#2: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
Most milk jugs, detergent containers, and oil bottles are made from HDPE. It’s a very common plastic and one of the safest to use. It’s also fully recyclable.
#3: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC is used for plastic food wrapping because it’s soft and flexible. Most consumer recyclers will not take PVC products. Also, avoid reusing PVC products, especially when it comes to food or for children’s use. They contain toxins that leach throughout their entire life cycle.
#4: LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
LDPE is usually what plastic bags are made from. You’ll also find LDPE in shrink wraps, dry cleaner garment bags, and other items.
Though most plastic bags are not recyclable, some companies and recycling centers have found alternatives or are investigating how to recycle plastic bags, given their harmfulness to the environment.
LDPE is reusable and safe to repurpose.
#5: PP (Polypropylene)
Polypropylene plastic is used in margarine and yogurt containers, potato chip bags, cereal bags, and more.
Polypropylene is recyclable, although many recyclers still don’t accept it. PP is considered safe for reuse.
#6: PS (Polystyrene)
Avoid polystyrene as best as possible. It’s used for disposable styrofoam drinking cups, take-out containers, packing peanuts, and more.
Polystyrene is not generally recyclable and accounts for about 35% of US landfill material. Because it breaks apart so easily, it’s often found inside marine animals’ stomachs and littering our beaches.
Avoid reusing polystyrene. Polystyrene’s chemical compounds have been linked with human health and reproductive system dysfunction. Polystyrene may leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food products (especially when heated in a microwave).
#7: Polycarbonate, BPA, and Other Plastics
Assume that nothing with the #7 number can be recycled or reused. BPA can leak chemicals. It’s an xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all plastics recyclable?
No. Most recycling programs accept #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) plastics. Plastics #3–#6 are more difficult to recycle and may not be accepted locally. #7 plastics are rarely recyclable.
Why are recycling symbols and numbers so tiny?
Because the symbols were originally designed for manufacturers, not consumers. Their purpose was resin identification, not easy visibility.
Which plastics are safest for food and drink?
The safest plastics for food storage are typically #2 (HDPE), #4 (LDPE), and #5 (PP). These plastics do not have known chemical leaching risks and are generally considered safe for reuse.
Which plastics should I avoid?
Avoid plastics #3 (PVC), #6 (PS / polystyrene), and #7 (Other/BPA) for food or drink use. These are linked to chemical leaching, potential carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors.
Can I reuse plastic water bottles?
Not if they are #1 (PET). These bottles are meant for single use and may harbor bacteria or leach chemicals if reused.
Is styrofoam recyclable?
Generally no. Styrofoam (a type of #6 polystyrene) is rarely accepted by recyclers, breaks apart easily, and is harmful to wildlife. It’s best to avoid using it altogether.
Why do different towns accept different types of plastics?
Recycling capacity varies by local equipment, funding, and processing ability. Always check with your local recycling center to learn which plastic numbers they accept.
Are plastic bags recyclable?
Most curbside programs do not accept plastic bags (#4 LDPE), but many grocery stores offer bag recycling bins, and some specialized facilities process them.
What should I do with plastics that aren’t recyclable?
Try to reduce use, reuse when safe, and choose alternatives such as glass, metal, or biodegradable materials.
Is recycling plastic worth it?
Yes—especially for #1 and #2 plastics. Recycling prevents plastics from landing in landfills where they take hundreds of years to decompose. Recycled plastics can be turned into new products like carpet fibers, fleece, furniture, and even new containers.
What does BPA mean and why is it harmful?
BPA (Bisphenol A), commonly found in #7 plastics, is a chemical linked to hormonal disruption, heart issues, and obesity. Avoid using #7 plastics—especially for food and drink.
How can I reduce my plastic use?
Choose reusable bags, avoid single-use plastics, opt for products in glass or metal packaging, and try plastic-free gardening and household alternatives.
We hope this article has helped introduce the different types of plastics. It’s undoubtedly a little more complicated than it needs to be!
Consider this last question: A kid buys a plastic beverage bottle. It’s tossed in the trash and buried in a landfill, where decomposition will take over 400 years. However, if that beverage bottle is recycled, it can be transformed back into the same plastic pellets used to make it in the first place.
Yes, recycling still takes some energy, but this bottle’s life is not over, and it is part of a “cycle” in which natural resources do not go to waste. Before you toss something in the trash, ask yourself: “Is this really garbage?”
Are you interested in using less plastic? Learn ways to garden with less plastic.
Dear Julie,
Anything that's listed that was used for containing or storing food can be recycled—if it is recyclable, that is! As to your question regarding what belongs in the compostable collection pile, than usually is specific to the facility. Some will take food scraps that include meat and/or bones, but others do not. Check with your transfer station attendant for specifics if signs don't make it clear.
—The Editors
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