Plastic resin codes identify the type of plastic the product is made of. The resin codes below are typical for the types of containers listed. (Check yours.)
Just don't assume that a resin code means that a container will get recycled. Most plastic ends up in a landfill. Plastics are numbered with resin codes 1 through 7, but there are really only recycling markets for 1 and 2. Some communities have markets for 5, but very few.
Plastic resin identification codes
PET
Polyethylene terephthalate
Adapted from Conway, Arkansas, Department of Sanitation.
Examples:
Water bottles
Soda bottles
Peanut butter jars
HDPE
High-density polyethylene
Examples:
Milk jugs
Shampoo bottles
Laundry detergent containers
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride
Adapted from Conway, Arkansas, Department of Sanitation.
Examples:
Vinyl
Tubing/pipe
Auto product bottles
LDPE
Low-density polyethylene
Adapted from Conway, Arkansas, Department of Sanitation.
Examples:
Bread bags
Squeeze bottles
Plastic film
Plastic grocery bags
PP
Polypropylene
Adapted from Conway, Arkansas, Department of Sanitation.
Examples:
Yogurt containers
Amber-colored pill bottles
Coffee cup lids
Straws
PS
Polystyrene
Examples:
Styrofoam cups
Solo cups
Styrofoam egg cartons
To-go containers
Other
Examples:
Toys
Sippy cups
CDs
Disposable utensils
Adapted from Conway, Arkansas, Department of Sanitation.