Plastics are identified by the number that is printed or molded onto the bottom of most containers. Use the table below to help identify the associated plastic.
Plastic Code
Recycled Products
PET Polyethylene terephthalate - Primarily used for soft drink containers. Most commonly recycled plastic
Carpeting
Fiber fill for clothing & sleeping bags
Polyester clothing
High-density polyethylene - Primarily used for food, personal care and cleaning product bottles and bowls. Second most commonly recycled plastic.
Detergent and cleaning product containers
Grocery and shopping bags
Recycling containers
Plastic lumbe
Polyvinyl chloride or vinyl - Primarily used for vegetable oil bottles, other food containers, and plastic wrap.
Drainage pipe and tile
Low-density polyethylene - Found in grocery bags.
Garbage bags
Motor oil bottles
Irrigation pipes
Polypropylene - Found in food containers.
Automobile battery casings
Polystyrene - Commonly "Styrofoam" products
Insulation
Other - resins and multi-layer plastics found in a variety of products and containers.
Plastics are identified by the number that is printed
