Getting recycling symbols explained in plain language is more useful than most people expect—these symbols printed on the bottom of plastic containers, packaging, and consumer products are more nuanced than most people realize. Understanding what recycling symbols mean helps you sort materials correctly, avoid contaminating your recycling bin with non-recyclable items, and make more informed purchasing decisions. This guide explains the most common recycling symbols and what they actually tell you about whether an item belongs in your curbside bin.
The Chasing Arrows Symbol: What It Actually Means
The three-arrow triangle symbol—widely known as the recycling symbol—has two distinct uses that are often confused. When combined with a number (1 through 7), it identifies the resin type of a plastic material. When used alone on paper, cardboard, or other materials, it may indicate that the material is recyclable, made with recycled content, or both.
Critically, the presence of this symbol does not guarantee that an item is accepted for recycling in your local program. Recycling capabilities vary significantly by municipality. Your local recycling program—not the symbol on the package—is the definitive authority on what can go in your bin.
Plastic Resin Codes 1 Through 7 Explained
The Society of the Plastics Industry created the resin identification code (RIC) system in 1988, now maintained by ASTM International. The numbers identify plastic types, not recyclability.
1 – PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
Found in: water bottles, soda bottles, salad dressing containers, peanut butter jars.
Recycling status: Widely accepted in curbside programs across the United States. One of the most commonly recycled plastics. Markets for recycled PET (rPET) are strong; it is used to make clothing fibers, carpet, and new bottles.
2 – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
Found in: milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, juice containers, some grocery bags.
Recycling status: Also widely accepted in most curbside programs. One of the easiest plastics to recycle. Recycled HDPE is used to make pipes, lumber, bottles, and outdoor furniture.
3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Found in: pipes, window frames, some food wrap, blister packaging, medical tubing.
Recycling status: Rarely accepted in curbside programs and difficult to recycle due to the additives used in manufacturing. Most consumer products made from PVC should not go in curbside recycling. Check locally before attempting to recycle.
4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
Found in: plastic grocery bags, bread bags, shrink wrap, produce bags, squeezable bottles.
Recycling status: Not accepted in most curbside programs because it jams sorting equipment. However, plastic bags and film labeled #4 are accepted at many grocery store drop-off locations. Keep these items out of your curbside bin but do look for dedicated film recycling drop-offs.
5 – PP (Polypropylene)
Found in: yogurt containers, deli containers, medicine bottles, bottle caps, straws, ketchup bottles.
Recycling status: Increasingly accepted in curbside programs, but acceptance varies by location. Polypropylene recycling has expanded significantly in recent years; check with your local program to confirm whether #5 items are accepted.
6 – PS (Polystyrene)
Found in: foam cups, foam food containers (takeout boxes, egg cartons), packing peanuts, disposable cutlery.
Recycling status: Rarely accepted in curbside programs. Polystyrene is lightweight, which makes it economically challenging to transport and process. Some communities have dedicated drop-off programs for clean foam. Many municipalities are actively discouraging or restricting its use.
7 – Other (Mixed Resins)
Found in: large water cooler jugs, some baby bottles, certain food containers, layered packaging, composites.
Recycling status: Generally not accepted in curbside recycling. The #7 category is a catch-all for any plastic not classified as types 1 through 6, making it essentially impossible to sort and process at scale. Exceptions include some specific #7 plastics accepted at specialty programs.
Paper and Cardboard Recycling Symbols
Paper-based products often carry symbols indicating their recycled content or recyclability. Common examples include:
- The chasing arrows with a percentage (e.g., “30% Recycled Content”) indicates what portion of the material came from recycled sources.
- The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) mark and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) mark indicate that the paper came from responsibly managed forests. These are certifications about sourcing, not recyclability.
Most clean, dry cardboard and paper is accepted in curbside recycling. Items that are soiled with grease (like a pizza box) or coated with wax or plastic (like some coffee cups) are generally not accepted because they contaminate other paper materials in the recycling stream.
Glass Recycling
Clear glass, brown glass (amber), and green glass are generally accepted in most curbside programs, though some municipalities require glass to be sorted by color. Broken glass presents a safety risk to sorting facility workers and may not be accepted loose in recycling bins. Specialty glass items—mirrors, window glass, Pyrex, and lightbulbs—are made from different glass types and are typically not accepted in standard programs.
Metal Recycling Symbols
The ALU symbol (aluminium) indicates the material is made from aluminum. Aluminum cans are among the most recyclable and valuable materials in the recycling stream. Steel cans (used for soup, vegetables, pet food) are also widely accepted. The Green Dot symbol (two interlocking arrows forming a circle) is a European packaging recovery system symbol and does not indicate that the item is recyclable in the United States.
What “Compostable” and “Biodegradable” Symbols Mean
These claims on packaging cause significant confusion. Items marked “compostable” are designed to break down in industrial composting facilities under specific temperature and humidity conditions—not in a home compost bin and certainly not in a landfill or recycling bin. “Biodegradable” has no standardized legal definition in the United States and is not a reliable indicator of how or where a product breaks down.
Compostable packaging should only go in a curbside compost or food scrap program if your local program explicitly accepts it. Putting compostable items in a recycling bin contaminates the batch.
How to Know What Your Local Program Actually Accepts
The most accurate source for what goes in your curbside bin is your local waste management authority. Many municipalities publish detailed accepted materials lists on their websites. The EPA’s recycling resources page provides general guidance and links to state-level resources. Earth911’s recycling locator allows you to search by material and zip code to find drop-off and curbside options near you.
The Problem With “Wishcycling”
Wishcycling refers to putting items in a recycling bin hoping they can be recycled, even when unsure. While the impulse comes from good intentions, wishcycling causes real problems. Non-recyclable items contaminate loads of otherwise recyclable material, forcing recycling processors to divert entire batches to landfill. Greasy food containers, plastic bags, hoses, and small electronics frequently end up in recycling bins where they do not belong.
A useful rule of thumb: when in doubt, leave it out. Recycling one contaminated load does more harm than disposing of an uncertain item properly and researching how to handle it correctly.
Quick Reference: Plastic Codes and Curbside Status
- #1 PET: Usually accepted
- #2 HDPE: Usually accepted
- #3 PVC: Rarely accepted
- #4 LDPE: Not in curbside; drop-off at grocery stores
- #5 PP: Increasingly accepted—check locally
- #6 PS: Rarely accepted
- #7 Other: Generally not accepted
Understanding recycling symbols helps you recycle more effectively and avoid the common mistakes that undermine recycling programs. The key takeaway is simple: the resin code tells you what a plastic is made of, not whether your local program accepts it. When in doubt, check your municipality’s materials list before assuming something is recyclable.
blogged