On plant pots and the like, what do the numbers inside the small recycling signs represent?

Question

I havent seen them on all plant pots and other plastic goods, and i think they represent the amount of years it takes for the item to degrade. it seems likely to me, but im not sure if im right. am i?

Answer 1

It just indicates the type of plastic. Recycling centers may stipulate that they only take recyclable plastics of type 2, 3 and 6. Others may take more or less. It all depends on the process necessary to reuse the plastic, and some are more easily recyclable than others.

Answer 2

The code classifies the plastic as to type. Some places might only be able to use type 2 (milk bottles) In Dallas we can recycle types 1-5 and 7. The number has no direct relationship to degrading and, in fact, while 2 will degrade in sunlight, if buried, like many other plastics, it will last a very, very, long time.

Answer 3

Although presence of the symbol implies that the plastic item is recyclable, the symbol is actually only intended to identify the plastic resin from which the item was made. Recyclability is ultimately determined by the local governing ordnances concerning what materials are collected for recycling.

If you want to know what plastics each number identifies, go to the site below (pretty dry reading unless you're a chemist).

Answer 4

There are different types of recycling for plastics. The numbers indicate what type of recycling can be done with that article. Some recyclers only take numbers 2 and 3 for example. It indicates in part how hard the particular plastic is to recycle.

Answer 5

It lets you know if your area recycles those items or not. Where I live we can only recycle products with the number 1 or 2. The numbers represent what type of plastic or glass it is.

Answer 6

i know that #2 plastic is PVC which most soda and water bottles r made from and the most dangerous thing u can drink from..strange but true. I also know that anything that is under a #5 plastic releases carcinogens into ur water, or whatever u drink from it, if it gets warm at all. good thing to know. get a nalgene bottle they r #7 i think, very hard plastic, safe to drink and leave in a hot car in the summer.

Answer 7

The numbers tell you what the item is made from. Not all recycling centers handle all plastics.

You can find out what the codes mean here

http://www.americanplasticscouncil.org/s_apc/sec.asp?TRACKID=&CID=313&DID=931

Answer 8

if its plastic, and you're talking about the number inside the arrow/triangle thing, then it's a code which identifies which type of plastic it is... i think that 2=HDPE, 5=polypropylene, etc... it's not hard to find which numbers mean which plastic, but i don't know them all...

Answer 9

The triangle skill the sector is recyclable, and from what I understand the quantity interior is for the recycling centers for sorting applications, which includes coloration, plastic kind, ect. desire this facilitates, and if each person is known with the specifics on the quantity relation to is function please upload extra! thanks, Shannon