A Simple Guide to Understanding Recycling Symbols and Reducing Waste Effectively
Many people desire a greener planet, so they recycle their waste, support local businesses, and even opt for reusable water bottles. But what if I told you that you might not recycle as effectively as you think? The phrase 鈥渞educe, reuse, recycle鈥� is familiar to us all, instilled in us from a young age, yet the intricate details of recycling that truly impact the process often go unaddressed.
At the Patel College of Global Sustainability, we actively encourage our faculty, staff, and students to adopt a sustainable lifestyle and recycle responsibly. We even have an indoor food grinder to promote sustainability within our workplace. Nevertheless, there are instances when our community members may not fully understand the proper recycling procedures. To address these crucial details, we have developed a comprehensive step-by-step guide to ensure effective recycling practices!
Each symbol has one thing in common: the little triangle of three green, circulating arrows. There are three types of waste: plastic, paper, and glass. We will start will plastic
Plastics
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
This type of plastic is widely recognized for its recyclability and is accepted by most municipal recycling programs, identifiable by the number 1 within the recycling symbol. PET is commonly used for single-use food and beverage containers, such as water and soda bottles and frozen food packaging.
High-density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Marked by the triangle containing a 2, HDPE is also nontransparent and widely accepted in municipal recycling initiatives. It is typically found in household cleaner bottles, certain food containers, and cutting boards.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Recycling PVC can be more challenging compared to the first two types. It is denoted by the number 3 in the recycling symbol and is commonly used in children's toys and various bottles, including those for detergent and shampoo.
Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE)
To identify this plastic, look for the number 4 within the recycling symbol. LDPE is a soft and flexible material often used for plastic bags. It's essential to verify local acceptance, as it can sometimes cause issues in recycling machinery. Many grocery stores do accept this type of plastic.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene, recognized by the number 5, is found in items like straws, soft drink cups, and certain food containers. Be sure to check if your local recycling program accepts this material.
Polystyrene (PS)
Commonly referred to as Styrofoam, PS is typically found in take-out containers and cups but is generally not accepted in recycling programs. The recycling symbol for PS is the number 6.
Other
This category encompasses various materials marked with the number 7, including bisphenol A (BPA), polycarbonate, and other bio-based plastics. It's essential to confirm whether items labeled with a 7 are recyclable in your area.
Glass
The recycling symbol featuring a person discarding an item into a bin signifies that clean glass products are recyclable. Three distinct recycling codes categorize glass products:
1. Mixed glass 鈥� marked with a recycling symbol containing the number 70
2. Clear glass 鈥� indicated by a recycling symbol with the number 71
3. Green glass 鈥� represented by a recycling symbol featuring the number 72
Paper
This recycling symbol indicates that paper and cardboard are made from at least 75% genuine waste paper, board fiber, or a combination of both. Paper products are classified into three recycling codes:
1. Cardboard 鈥� denoted by a recycling symbol with the number 20
2. Plain paper 鈥� marked with a recycling symbol showing the number 21
3. Mixed paper 鈥� identified by a recycling symbol containing the number 22
