Story at a glance
- A new report from Greenpeace finds that as little as 5 percent of plastics are recycled.
- Bottles and jugs marked with recycling symbols 1 and 2 are usually recyclable.
- Plastics marked 3, 4, 6 or 7 are seldom recycled.
A new report from Greenpeace finds that as little as 5 percent of plastics are recycled, illustrating just how much room for progress there is in the nation’s recycling efforts.
Here’s a quick guide of what kinds of plastics generally can be recycled.
These plastics are usually recyclable.
Bottles and jugs marked with recycling code 1 inside the triangular symbol (including water, soft drink and salad dressing bottles).
Bottles and jugs marked with recycling code 2 inside the triangular symbol (including milk, juice, detergent and shampoo bottles).
These plastics are occasionally recyclable.
Tubs and containers marked with recycling code 5 inside the triangular symbol (including ice cream, dips and fast-food cups).
These plastics are seldom recycled: Check with your local recycler!
Anything marked with recycling codes 3, 4, 6 or 7 inside the triangular symbol.
Grocery bags, trash bags, cling wrap, shrink wrap.
Plastic plates and cutlery, coffee lids and water cups.
Styrofoam cups, clamshells and trays.
Green plastic bottles.
Source: Greenpeace, recycling experts
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