What codes can you recycle

You can also replace plastic sandwich bags with platinum silicone alternatives , which are heat safe. Polypropylene plastic is tough and lightweight, and has excellent heat-resistance qualities.

It serves as a barrier against moisture, grease and chemicals. When you try to open the thin plastic liner in a cereal box, it is polypropylene. This keeps your cereal dry and fresh. PP is also commonly used for disposable diapers, pails, plastic bottle tops, margarine and yogurt containers, potato chip bags, straws, packing tape and rope. Recycled PP is used to make landscaping border stripping, battery cases, brooms, bins and trays.

However, 5 plastic is today becoming more accepted by recyclers. PP is considered safe for reuse. To recycle products made from PP, check with your local curbside program to see if they are now accepting this material.

To cut down on how much PP you consume, opt for reusable straws instead of plastic ones, reusable water bottles , and cloth diapers. Polystyrene is an inexpensive, lightweight and easily-formed plastic with a wide variety of uses. Polystyrene is also widely used to make rigid foam insulation and underlay sheeting for laminate flooring used in home construction. Because polystyrene is structurally weak and ultra-lightweight, it breaks up easily and is dispersed readily throughout the natural environment.

Beaches all over the world have bits of polystyrene lapping at the shores, and an untold number of marine species have ingested this plastic with immeasurable consequences to their health. Polystyrene may leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food products especially when heated in a microwave. Chemicals present in polystyrene have been linked with human health and reproductive system dysfunction.

Recycling is not widely available for polystyrene products. While the technology for recycling polystyrene is available, the market for recycling is small. Awareness among consumers has grown, however, and polystyrene is being reused more often. While it is difficult to find a recycler for PS, some businesses like Mailboxes Etc. To eliminate polystyrene from your trash, try a reusable coffee cup , compostable or reusable picnic cutlery , and stainless steel takeaway containers.

Of primary concern with 7 plastics, however, is the potential for chemical leaching into food or drink products packaged in polycarbonate containers made using BPA Bisphenol A. BPA is a xenoestrogen, a known endocrine disruptor. Number 7 plastics are used to make baby bottles, sippy cups, water cooler bottles and car parts.

A new generation of compostable plastics, made from bio-based polymers like corn starch, is being developed to replace polycarbonates. These are also included in category 7, which can be confusing to the consumer. Plastics with the recycling labels 1, 2 and 4 on the bottom are safer choices and do not contain BPA. Polystyrene is not recyclable in normal collections. There 2 types of polystyrene hard, brittle plastic and expanded polystyrene light, insulating, waterproof plastic.

Other plastics are not recyclable in normal collections. This categorises all other plastics including bioplastics, composite plastics like crisp wrappers , plastic coated wrapping paper and polycarbonate which contains BPA.

Get in touch with us to discuss how we can remove plastic from your packaging, reduce costs and help you protect our environment. Katie Pumphrey 13 December It is often used for single use clear plastic bottles.

You can recycle this plastic if your Local Authority refers to: Plastic Bottles Fizzy pop bottles Mouthwash bottles Yoghurt pots check the plastic before recycling as some can be made from polystyrene PET can be recycled into polyester fabric and filling for for fleeces, carpets and cushion fillings.

Keep to yourself, Karen! It seems simple enough right? Your email address will not be published. Your wishlist is empty. View Wishlist. Cart Cart 0. Order before 11am for Same Day Dispatch! Ph or Live Chat pm Mon — Fri. Shipping Calculated at Checkout. Do you understand the recycling codes? By Fred Berger. Fred Berger. More by Fred Berger. Share 0 0 0.