Are all types of plastic recyclable?
The ease of recycling the various types of plastic differs. Type 1 plastic (PET and PETE) and Type 2 plastic (HDPE) are easy to recycle and poses low risk of leaching breakdown products. Type 3 plastic (PVC) contains chlorine, and hence, in its manufacture, as well as its disposal (eg. incineration), highly dangerous and toxic gases are released. Hence, type 3 plastic are rarely recycled. Type 4 plastic (LDPE) are historically not accepted by most American curbside recycling programs. Nevertheless, more and more communities are starting to accept it these days. Type 5 plastic (PP) are also gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers. Type 6 plastic (PS), such as Styrofoam, leach toxins and are very difficult to recycle. Given the high cost of recycling, type 3 to 7 plastics are rarely recycled. If you wish to make a difference to the environment, what these information mean is that you should try to send your Type 1 and 2 plastics for recycling as much as possible. You should also tr
