1. PLASTICS Because of the differences in their properties, they cannot be melted together to form new plastic. It is difficult (with current technologies) to collect and properly sort the different types of plastic from one another which makes recycling opportunities for plastics more limited than some other materials Recycling process for plastic containers includes: (1) sorting the containers by their resin types; (2) cutting the plastic into tiny pieces, called pellets; (3) melting the pellets; and (4) reshaping into new plastic objects.

2. Abbrev.No.Scientific NameExamplesEnvironmental Qualities PETE1 polyethylene Terphtahalate soda & water bottles Recycled into fleece coats, carpet, surfboards HDPE2 high density Polyethylene milk, water jugs, juice, bleach bottles Recycled into plastic lumber, like picnic tables PVC3polyvinyl chloride detergent & cleaner bottles, pipes By-products from manufacturing are known to cause cancer; recycled into handrails, house siding LDPE4 low density Polyethylene 6-pack rings, sandwhich bags, grocery bags Recycled in small amounts into bags PP5polypropylene margarine tubs, screw-on lids, straws, car bumpers Used in the auto industry; difficult to collect for recycling; recycled into car battery cases PS6polystyrene Styrafoam, peanuts No longer made with CFCs, but the by-products from manufacturing cause air pollution; recycled into pencil holders, tape dispensers other7multi-layer ketchup and squeezable bottles Layered aspects make this difficult to recycle; recycled into benches, marine pilings What the Number Means:

3. Plastic Recycling Facts In 2006, Americans drank about 167 bottles of water each but only recycled an average of 23 percent. That leaves 38 billion water bottles in landfills. Bottled water costs between $1 and $4 per gallon, and 90 percent of the cost is in the bottle, lid and label. According to the Beverage Marketing Corp, the average American consumed 1.6 gallons of bottled water in 1976. In 2006 that number jumped to 28.3 gallons. It takes over 1.5 million barrels of oil to manufacture a year’s supply of bottled water. That’s enough oil to fuel 100,000 cars. Eight out of 10 plastic water bottles become landfill waste. In 2007 we spent $16 billion on bottled water. That’s more than we spent on iPods or movie tickets. Plastic bottles take 700 years before they begin to decompose in a landfill.

4. PRECYCLING PRECYCLING = the practice of reducing waste by attempting to avoid purchasing wasteful products Carry a "precycling kit" with you (reusable container, silverware, cloth napkin or handkerchief and reusable water-bottle, all within a cloth bag that can double as a grocery/shopping bag) Fix rather than toss broken products (especially electronics) Chose products that are durable, reusable, recyclable and not over- packaged Buy locally made products and food whenever possible Buyer’s Choice Checklist: Do I really need this? Is the product or packaging recyclable or reusable? Is the product made of recycled materials? How far did the product have to travel to get to me?