The triangle that you see on packaging with the number inside is a “plastic identification code” NOT a recycling symbol.
The number will help you identify the plastic type, but it doesn't automatically mean something can be recycled in your home recycling bin.
Your council kerbside recycling doesn’t accept or have the facilities to accept all plastic types.
It is safe to say recycling codes number 1, 2 and 5 are usually accepted by most local councils across Australia but always check the packaging and what your council accepts.
An easy way to do this is to check out the legends at Recycle Mate to see what your council accepts or this link will help you also 👏
Here are the 7 types of plastic -
1. POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET)
Used for – Soft drink and water bottles, juice containers, food packaging (e.g. fruit punnets) etc.
Easy to recycle – usually in home recycling bins once cleaned.
Next Life – Once recycled it is reprocessed into new PET products.
2. HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE)
Used for – Milk cartons, shampoo, conditioner, cleaning products, yoghurt pots etc.
Easy to recycle – usually in home recycling bins once cleaned.
Next Life – Once recycled it is reprocessed into garden furniture, pipes and milk cartons
3. POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC)
Used for – Piping, window fittings, thermal insulation, car parts, toys, furniture etc.
Difficult to recycle – these products are not easily recycled but can often be re-used.
Next Life – Reused and where possible reprocessed into more PVC products.
4. LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE)
Used for – Shrink wrap, food bags, shopping bags, magazine wrapping, 6-pack rings etc.
Manageable to recycle – These are the materials you can recycle at your local supermarket using the REDCycle Bins. Rigid forms of LDPE however cannot be recycled via REDCycle. SADLY the REDCycle service has been paused.
Next Life – Reused or reprocessed into bin liners, plastic furniture and floor tiles.
5. POLYPROPYLENE (PP)
Used for – Food containers (e.g. margarine tubs), Tupperware, plastic caps off soda bottles etc. Note that soda bottles and caps should be separated before recycling, as usually bottles are number 1 and caps are number 5, and different types of plastic do not recycle together.
Easy to recycle – very easy to re-use, can often be recycled in the kerbside recycling.
Next Life – Once recycled it is reprocessed into more food containers, clothing fibres etc.
6. POLYSTYRENE (PS)
Used for – Takeaway containers, foam food trays, protective packaging, coffee cups etc.
Difficult to recycle – It’s also known as Styrofoam. These products are not easily recycled, however there are a few places that will accept and recycle them – this requires research.
Next Life – If successfully recycled it is reprocessed into more packaging.
7. OTHER FORMS OF PLASTIC (OTHER)
Used for – Salad packaging, baby bottles, acrylic/nylon products etc.
Very difficult to recycle – these products are not easily recycled or for re-use, they simply go in the general waste bin. This shows the item could be a mixture of any and all of the above or a plastic that is not readily recyclable, such as polyurethane.
Next Life – Goes to landfill
If you have any comments or questions pop them below.