Recycling Plastics for Beginners


It's funny how the idea of recycling is thought to be so new. It's comes as a surprise to many people that reusing things and making them into new and useful goods has been around for longer than the last 40 years or so. In generations past, it was common practice to use chalkboards to save expensive paper. Dishes, cups, and utensils were made to be reused and often were made from metal or wood. Back then, plastic recycling wasn't an issue. Of course, there are all kinds of wonderful and important products that have made life easier and safer all thanks to plastics. The new emphasis is on showing our appreciation by learning about and practicing plastic recycling. After all, next to paper, plastics are the most commonly used recyclable item.

The first thing you need to know in order to become plastic recycling savvy is which plastics can be recycled and which ones can't. Anyone who has tried recycling has probably learned the hard way that recycling centers have a limit to the magic they can create. The good news is most types of plastics can be recycled. Some types might require a bit more work than others. The simplest types of plastics for recycling are plastic bottles for water and soft drinks, medicine containers, and similar household items. These plastics are assigned the number one. It can typically be found on the bottom of the container inside the universal symbol for recycling. Once these items have been recycled in the plant, they often are used for filling in coats and sleeping bags. This material is also used in rope, cassette tapes, and furniture. It's easy to see why plastic recycling is so worthwhile.

Another type of plastic that is easy to recycle bears the number two mark. These plastics tend to be a little heavier than the number one plastics. You will find these recycling plastics in items like milk jugs, laundry detergent containers, and motor oil bottles. Number two plastics are also present in some toys, plastic rope, and synthetic plastic wood like lumber. Like the number one ranked plastics, most recycling centers are happy to accept this type of material.

As long as you know the basic types of recycling plastics, you are on your way to making a difference in the amount of waste that unnecessarily ends up in the landfills. If you have any doubts about what products are acceptable for recycling and which ones aren't, contact your local recycling center for more information. They will be delighted to help you start your personal recycling activities.