Plastic Types & Reusability

Learn about common plastic types, their uses, and whether they are typically reusable or recyclable in standard systems.

Common Plastic Identification Codes

PET (1)

Polyethylene Terephthalate

Common Uses:

Water bottles, soft drink bottles, food jars

Typical Recyclability:

Widely recycled

HDPE (2)

High-Density Polyethylene

Common Uses:

Milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles

Typical Recyclability:

Widely recycled

PVC (3)

Polyvinyl Chloride

Common Uses:

Pipes, window profiles, some packaging film

Typical Recyclability:

Rarely recycled

LDPE (4)

Low-Density Polyethylene

Common Uses:

Plastic bags, shrink wrap, squeeze bottles

Typical Recyclability:

Recyclable at specific drop-off locations

PP (5)

Polypropylene

Common Uses:

Yogurt containers, bottle caps, food containers

Typical Recyclability:

Increasingly recycled

PS (6)

Polystyrene

Common Uses:

Foam cups, packing peanuts, disposable cutlery

Typical Recyclability:

Rarely recycled

Other (7)

Various Plastics

Common Uses:

Multi-layer packaging, polycarbonate, bioplastics

Typical Recyclability:

Generally not recycled

Note: Recyclability can vary significantly based on your local recycling program and facilities. Always check with your local waste management provider for specific guidelines. "Reusable" in the context of this project generally refers to items designed for multiple uses (like durable containers) or materials commonly accepted in standard recycling streams.

AI Reusability and Recyclability Explainer

Enter a plastic type (e.g., PET, HDPE, PVC) or its code (1-7) below. Our AI will provide a brief explanation of its typical reusability and recyclability based on common practices.

Plastic Reusability and Recyclability Check

Enter a plastic type (e.g., PET, HDPE, 3) to learn more.