Different Plastic Types & Which Types of Plastic can be Recycled?

Plastic Types are conveyed on every product packaging. But what do these numbers on plastic mean? Let us decode them together.

By Vedantee Raut

Plastic was the world’s greatest invention. It was used as a replacement for glass in many circumstances, resulting in widespread use for bottles. But today, plastics have become the world’s biggest problem. Plastics have made their way to every corner of the planet. It would be a miracle if we witness one single day without plastic.

Considering the huge amount of plastic produced, the first way to keep it away from landfills and our beloved oceans is recycling. For many conscious consumers, their sustainability journey begins with recycling.

Recycling seems like the easiest way ou. So let us dig deeper into the recycling process.

Hi there! Conscious Charcha is discussing Plastic as a topic this July. Expect a lot of plastic-free content the entire month. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog and get an email whenever new content is posted!

What is Plastic Recycling?

The process of recovering waste or scrap plastic and turning the materials into functional and useful goods is known as plastic recycling. The purpose of plastic recycling is to eliminate excessive levels of plastic pollution and reduce the demand for virgin resources to make new plastic items. This method conserves resources and keeps plastic out of landfills and unanticipated locations like the ocean.

But why do we need to recycle plastic? Plastic is a lightweight, durable and easily moveable material. All these properties make it an attractive material to make products, objects and packaging other goods. This is why we live in a world full of plastics.

While plastic may be a convenient option, it is not a completely environment-friendly product. It takes 1000 years for plastic to decompose. Thus, any plastic product will remain longer than our time on earth. It is due to this nature that finding options to reuse and repurpose plastic becomes essential and how plastic recycling comes into the picture.

So, Can all Types of Plastic be Recycled?

No, not all plastics are recyclable. The ability of plastic to get recycled depends on its type. This is where the numbers on plastic products come into play. These numbers are Resin Identification Codes. They let us know what the product is made up of, help identify the type of plastic and on that basis, we can find out if it’s recyclable or not.

Plastic Types: Plastic Number 1-7

There are 7 types of plastics commonly found. These can be identified using the number written inside the mobs loop and sometimes may have a set of letters written below them. The numbers are key to know which plastic is recyclable and which is not.

Conscious Charcha is discussing Platic as a topic this July. Expect a lot of plastic-free content the entire month. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog and get an email whenever new content is posted!

1. Plastic Number 1: Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET)

• PET plastic is most commonly used for drink bottles, bread-spread containers, etc.
  
  
• It is easily recyclable.
  
  
• However, PET bottles are not ideal to reuse as a drink bottle. They have a bacteria trapping surface. Instead, upcycle it in every way possible. The PET bottles work best for making bio-enzymes.

2.Plastic Type 2: High-density polyethylene (HDPE or PE-HD)

• HDPE plastic is slightly harder and is thus used for detergent and shampoo bottles, oil cans, etc.
  
  
• It is easily recyclable and can be recycled upto 10 times.

3.Plastic Number 3: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or V)

• PVC plastic is used to make pipes, window profile, shower curtains, non-food bottles, children’s toys etc.
  
  
• It is the least recyclable plastic type.
  
  
• It is harmful when burned or landfilled however has a long lifespan (up to 50 years)

4. Number 4 Plastic: Low-density polyethylene (LDPE or PE-LD)

• LDPE is a soft, flexible plastic and is thus used in grocery bags, bin liners, bread bags, milk pouches, cream tubes etc.
  

• This type of plastic is NOT accepted by all recycling facilities, thus making it hard to recycle.
  
  
• The best way to deal with is to refuse and work with plastic-free alternatives.

5. Plastic Grade 5: Polypropylene (PP)

• PP plastic is found in bottle caps, straws, packaging tape. Since this plastic is heat resistant, majority microwave friendly plastics are made of PP.
  
  
• Difficult and complex process to recycle PP plastic.
  
  
• Using glass containers for microwave and other plastic-free alternatives like metal straws, paper tapes can be used.

6. Plastic Type 6: Polystyrene (PS)

• PS plastic is also know as Styrofoam products. It is used in single use coffee cups, takeaway food containers, disposable cutlery, ashtrays, etc.
  
  
• Not recycled by all recycling units mostly because it is contaminated with food.
  
  
• Prefer avoiding PS plastic when you can.

7. Recycle Number 7 Plastic: Others (Other or O)

• The final category is all the remaining types of plastic. This includes Polylactic Acid (PLA) – a bioplastic and also include non-biodegradable plastics like acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate.
  
  
• These are used to make bottles, plastic lumber applications, headlight lenses, and safety shields/glasses.
  
  
• Number 7 plastics have not been traditionally recycled by recycling programs but you can check about them.

Type of Plastic	Found in	Recyclable?
Number 1 – PET or Clear polyethylene terephthalate	Soft drink bottles, tote bags, containers	YES
Number 2 – HDPE or High Density Polyethylene	Detergent, shampoo bottles, oil cans	YES
Number 3 – PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride	Pipes, window frames, toys	NO
Number 4 – LDPE or Low Density Polyethylene	Grocery bags, bin liners, bread bags, milk pouches, cream tubes	NOT accepted at all facilities
Number 5 – PP or Polypropylene	Straws, tape, bottle cap, microwave containers	YES but difficult & complex process
Number 6 – PS or Polystyrene	Coffee cups, takeaway food containers, disposable cutlery,	NOT accepted at all facilities if contaminated
Number 7 – Other	Bottles, safety shields, headlight lens	NOT traditionally recycled

Now that we know our plastic waste well, the question that arises is How to recycle? Don’t worry we have got you covered.

Plastic Recycling Facilities in India

Our list covers the top recycling facilities in the major cities of the country. Feel free to add more in the comments section.

Plastic Recyclers in the Delhi NCR region

1. WasteWOW India offers home pick-up in Delhi-NCR
2. Eco-Wise in Greater Noida
3. I Am Gurgaon has 3 recycling stations in Gurgaon
4. Scarp Uncle (formerly SwapEco) offers home-pickup for not just plastic but also other waste
5. RK Plastics in Manesar, Gurgaon
6. Scrapped offer home pick-up

Plastic Recyclers in Bengaluru

1. Eco-Wise
2. Khali bottle
3. TrashIn offers home pick-up
   

Recyclers of Plastic in Maharashtra and Mumbai

1. 5rCycle
2. Shakti Plastic Industries
3. ReCircle collects Hard Plastics from your home
4. SWACH in Pune
5. KachraDabba in Pune
   
   

Recyclers in Other Indian Cities

1. Wasted in Chennai
2. Trashman in Chennai
3. Kuppathotti in Chennai
4. RecycleX in Gujrat
5. Let’s Recycle in Ahemdabad
6. CrapBin in Hyderabad
7. Waste Wheel in Kolkata
8. Banyan Nation operates Pan-India

Alternatively, use this directory of Plastic recycling plants in the country with the contact details.

Plastic is the greatest concern of our time. Considering its flexibility to use and long durability, not all of us would be able to ditch it right away. Moreover, the plastic industry employs millions of Indians. In July 2022, Indian authorities banned 19 single-use plastic items. This is a positive step toward our fight against plastic.

This ban still leaves out a few items and hence we should continue put pressure on the authorities. Proper waste management systems need to be in place. At the same time, we need to create as minimum waste as possible.

Adopting practices like waste audits and waste segregation can help manage waste better. An approach of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle can help curb the plastic problem in our homes, localities, country and the world.

Conscious Charcha is discussing Plastic as a topic this July. Expect a lot of plastic-free content the entire month. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog and get an email whenever new content is posted!

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Vedantee is a student and an environmentalist associated with The Climate Reality Project to advocate and spread awareness about climate change. She is also a sustainability enthusiast who practices low-waste lifestyle and shares her journey and climate action through her Instagram page Earthlee.

Vedantee is a student and an environmentalist associated with The Climate Reality Project to advocate and spread awareness about climate change. She is also a sustainability enthusiast who practices low waste lifestyle and shares her journey and climate action through her Instagram page That Trash Talker.