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Plastic Recycling Symbols: What the Numbers 1-7 Mean

The numbered triangle on plastic packaging is a resin identification code, not a promise that the item is accepted for recycling wherever you live. Here is what each number actually identifies.

1 β€” PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)

Used for most clear beverage bottles, like water and soda bottles, and many food jars. Widely accepted in curbside recycling programs and one of the most commonly recycled plastics.

2 β€” HDPE (high-density polyethylene)

A sturdy, opaque plastic used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, and shampoo bottles. Also widely accepted in most recycling programs.

3 β€” PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

Found in some plumbing pipes, cling wrap, and certain packaging. Rarely accepted in curbside recycling due to the chemicals it can release during reprocessing.

4 β€” LDPE (low-density polyethylene)

A flexible plastic used for squeezable bottles, some bread and grocery bags, and shrink wrap. Accepted less consistently than codes 1 and 2, and often needs a separate drop-off for flexible film.

5 β€” PP (polypropylene)

Used for yogurt containers, bottle caps, and many microwave-safe food containers. Increasingly accepted curbside, though acceptance still varies by local program.

6 β€” PS (polystyrene)

Includes both rigid plastic (like disposable cutlery and some food containers) and foam polystyrene (like foam cups and packaging). Rarely accepted curbside, especially the foam form.

7 β€” Other

A catch-all for plastics that do not fit codes 1 through 6, including certain multi-layer packaging, some bioplastics, and polycarbonate. Because it covers a mix of different materials, code 7 items are the least consistently recyclable of the group.

The number alone does not guarantee recyclability

The code identifies what a plastic is made of, not whether your local facility can actually process it. Always check your specific local recycling program's accepted materials list rather than assuming every numbered triangle is curbside-recyclable.

Where the numbering system came from

The numbered triangle system was introduced by a US plastics industry group in the late 1980s to standardize how plastic resin types are identified for sorting, well before curbside recycling was as widespread as it is today. The symbol is officially a resin identification code, not a certification of recyclability.

Why some numbers are recycled far more than others

Codes 1 and 2 are recycled at much higher rates than the rest mainly because there is stronger existing demand and established infrastructure for reprocessing those specific plastics into new products. Lower demand and technical difficulty in reprocessing keep codes like 3, 6, and 7 much less consistently accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the recycling triangle symbol always mean an item is recyclable?

No. The triangle with a number identifies the resin type only. Whether a specific item is actually accepted depends entirely on your local recycling program's equipment and rules.

Should I rinse containers before recycling them?

Generally yes β€” most recycling programs ask that containers be reasonably clean and empty, since leftover food residue can contaminate an entire batch of otherwise recyclable material.