Do Your Part, How to Be and Live Green in Charlotte, NC

Get To Know Those Plastic Recycling Numbers - Local

We’re going to turn things upside down in today’s do your part.

I’m talking about those numbers inside the recycling symbol on the bottom of plastic containers. What do those numbers mean?

The numbers are called resin id codes. They signify the type of plastic for recycling.

In Rock Hill you can place all plastics in your curbside bin.  In Mecklenburg County and surrounding counties you can only recycle plastics with resin id codes of one or two. 

Number one plastics are a type of polyester that’s used to make soda bottles, water bottles and many other types of packaging.

Number two plastics are often used to make detergent containers, shampoo bottles and milk jugs. Manufacturers want your number one and two plastics.  They will buy it and recycle the plastics into new containers.

Number three plastics are used for clear food packaging and plumbing pipe. It’s not often recycled because there’s not enough demand to make doing so cost effective.

Number four plastics are used to make grocery bags, shrink wrap and medical tubing. The bags can be recycled to make new bags or plastic lumber. Don’t put these in your curbside bin unless you live in Rock Hill.

Number five plastics are used to make yogurt, margarine and other food containers.

Number six plastics are used to make cd jackets, plastic utensils and plates as well as packing peanuts.

Finally, the number seven resin id code refers to all other plastics as well as combinations of more than one type.

So recycle the plastics that you can, and instead of tossing the others in the garbage, try to find other uses for them. You can use them to store leftovers, the kids’ crayons or to keep the nails, screws and other items neatly separated in your garage. You’ll be more organized and you’ll also be doing your part.