Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
 


       Downsizer Forum Index -> Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Mrs Fiddlesticks

understanding plastics

What do all the numbers on the bottom of packaging mean - 1, 4 etc etc. Has anyone got a linky thing to explain them and which ones can be recycled and is there a way of identifying types of plastic if they're not marked.
Behemoth

Shazam: http://www.recycle-more.co.uk/nav/page630.aspx#plastics
Nick

http://www.wastebook.org/label.htm
sean

I'll add one too:
http://www.matweb.com/reference/plastic_recycling.asp
Mrs Fiddlesticks

thanx, most interesting!
Treacodactyl

It's also worth checking with your council. Mine doesn't recycle plastic yet so I take it to someone who's council does recycle but they only recycle numbers 1 & 2 and only certain colours. Confused
Mrs Fiddlesticks

Treacodactyl wrote:
It's also worth checking with your council. Mine doesn't recycle plastic yet so I take it to someone who's council does recycle but they only recycle numbers 1 & 2 and only certain colours. Confused


mine only does plastic milk bottles and some water bottles, neither of which we use. But I've found a dumpster at the farm shop that just says mixed plastics on it, and I'm trying to work out what I really should be putting in there. (I'm guessing its not anything and everything)

It doesn't help that somethings aren't labelled with a symbol at all. I've just used up a mushroom tray (don't mention the crime against mushrooms thank you Embarassed - I know and will aim to do better)which was unmarked and I'd like to know how to work out which one it is made of.
Mrs Fiddlesticks

ah just looked up the council's website. It only takes the soft plastic bottles at the kebside cos of space and what it deems 'financial constraints' but these new dumpsters around the place (this one I found has only been there since Nov 06 so I'd not missed a trick for long) are listed on there as being places where you can take all your plastics to be recycled, so that sounds good.

I wonder if that includes bags( not carriers), but silly plastic bags around post items, as well as pots, trays etc etc
Treacodactyl

You also might find that a plastic bottle can be recycled but not the lid, if you leave the lid on they whole bottle might be sent to landfill. It would be good if bottles and lids could be made of the same plastic.
Mrs Fiddlesticks

Treacodactyl wrote:
You also might find that a plastic bottle can be recycled but not the lid, if you leave the lid on they whole bottle might be sent to landfill. It would be good if bottles and lids could be made of the same plastic.


agreed.

So is there the danger that whilst I can try and feel smug cos I'm taking plastic to this bin and not putting it out for the dustman, in actual fact it could still be ending up in landfil? Only I'll never know of course.
       Downsizer Forum Index -> Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Page 1 of 1
Home Home Home Home Home