Part of any effective waste management program is knowing how to recycle plastics correctly. If you understand how the plants organize different plastics, then you’ll know which items to separate for them, and which ones they probably won’t use. Here’s a rundown of the symbols they use to rate them. 

3 Basic Plastic Recycling Symbols

1. PETG 

This symbol refers to polyethylene terephthalate, which is the plastic contained in many soda bottles and sauce containers. Due to how many of these products there are, PETG is one of the most important symbols to know. Since it’s cheap and weighs little, it’s a great candidate for recycling. The end product is generally other bottles and containers. Sometimes it’s reused in furniture and carpet. 

2. HDPE

This material contains high-density polyethylene, and you can find it in detergent containers, milk jugs, cereal box liners, and yogurt tubs, among other packaging items. Like the first symbol, it is highly recyclable and poses little chance of leaching problematic particles into end products. It is used to make items like pens, shampoo bottles, and floor tiles. 

3. PVC

The third symbol refers to PVC or polyvinyl chloride, which you can find in piping, house siding, and foil. It contains chlorine, so there is always the possibility it could release harmful dioxins—you should never burn it. This material is rarely recycled, and it will usually go to a landfill for its waste management. 

If you’re having difficulty setting up different streams for your waste management system, you can rely on help from X Waste in Pekin, IL. The company has been in business since 2003, and their crew will help you organize your items so everything goes where it should. To make an appointment with the veteran crew, just call (309) 353-4388. Learn more about the recycling company by visiting their website.