Deciphering those little triangles on your plastics.

SPI CODES These are the numbers in the little triangles on the bottom of plastic bottles.

SPI CODES The number tells us what materials are used to make the plastic.

The number will also determine the recycling process. What happens to the plastic & what new product it may make.

#1 PET or PETE Made from polyethylene terephthalate Nickname: polyester

#1 PET or PETE Clear, tough and moisture barrier properties Frequently recycled

#1 PET or PETE Packaging Applications Soda bottles Water bottles Salad dressing Detergent Mouthwash PB & Jelly Salad dressing

Recycled Products Pillow fill, tote bag, fleece, fiber, carpet, film, clothing, bottles, food & beverage containers, retail bags

#2 HDPE Made from high density polyethylene Good barrier & stiff Package products with a short life span

#2 HDPE Pigmented HDPE bottles have better stress crack resistance than nonpigmented bottles. Frequently recycled

Packaging Application Plastic milk bottles, nail polish remover bottle, Shampoo, grocery bags, cosmetics, yogurt container & margarine containers, retail bags

Recycled Products Plastic crates Picnic tables New detergent bottles Motor oil bottles

Pipe Buckets Flower pots Recycling bins Floor tiles And more!!!!

#3 PVC Made from Polyvinyl chloride Versatile Tough Resistance to grease, oil & other chemicals

#3 PVC When PVC is disposed of it may release dioxin & phthalates. Dioxin is a know carcinogen. Phthalates is a know endocrine disrupter.

Packaging applications Take-out boxes Shampoo Shower curtains Flooring Faux-leather clothing Cable insulation Medical tubing

Recycled products Drainage & irrigation pipes Loose-leaf binders Gutters Mud flaps Floor tile

Recycled products Traffic cones Garden hose Decking Paneling And more!!!!

#4 LDPE Made from low density polyethylene

Items made from LDPE Grocery bags Shrink wrap Bread & produce bags Newspaper Dry-cleaning

#4 LDPE New products made from LDPE Trash can liners Compost bins New bags

#5 PP Number 5 plastic is made from Polypropylene

Items that use PP: Takeout containers Medicine bottles Baby bottles Straws Bottle caps Yogurt containers

#5 PP PP new life Bike racks Brooms Ice scrapers Plastic lumber

#6 PS #6 plastic is made from polystyrene. Suspected to release possible carcinogens & endocrine disrupters

Items contained in polystyrene are Packing peanuts Egg cartons Picnic ware

#6 PS New items made from #6 Plastic lumber…again CD cases

#7 Other All of the rest of the plastic party! Could possible leak Bisphenol A, which is an artificial estrogen that interfere with hormone function.

#7 Others Possible items: Squeezable ketchup bottles Microwavable dishes Oven bags Corn-based plastics Polycarbonate

#7 plastics are usually NOT RECYCLED!