Recycle

Demystifying the #: Can you recycle all plastic numbers?

What do the numbers on those plastics ACTUALLY mean? We explain.

“I was once told that, with single-stream recycling such as we have in Philadelphia, any plastic container that has a number in a triangle, any number, can be recycled.  Is that correct?”

– “Count”ing on Recycling

Well, “Count” recycling, this is a good and complex question.

Before, the Philadelphia Streets Department identified what you could put in your recycling bin by number, which included mostly everything. In 2010, Streets declared that you can recycle all number plastics except for styrofoam. At that time, Philadelphia was making a generous revenue from recycling (about $67/ton for recyclables in 2012) and adopted a ‘when in doubt, throw it in’ mentality.

Since recycling contamination has hurt programs in cities including Philadelphia, the city has adopted a new motto: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

Recently, the Streets Department wiped their own communication, only identifying a few types of things that are recyclable.

What plastic numbers are recyclable in Philadelphia?

For the most part, #1s, 2s and 5s are always recyclable in single-stream recycling bins.

#4 tend to be plastic bags and film, which you can’t throw into your recycling bin. You CAN take them to grocery stores that accept plastic recycling.

#6 tends to be styrofoam, which is a NO.

What do the “recycle” numbers on plastic bottles mean?

The number on the plastics you see are the Resin Identification Code, which communicates the type of plastic that it is for a standard industry code.

  • 1″ is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (beverage bottles, cups, other packaging, etc.)
  • “2” is high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (bottles, cups, milk jugs, etc.)
  • “3” is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (pipes, siding, flooring, etc.)
  • “4” is low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (plastic bags, six-pack rings, tubing, etc.)
  • “5” is polypropylene (PP) (auto parts, industrial fibers, food containers, etc.)
  • 6” is polystyrene (PS) (plastic utensils, Styrofoam, cafeteria trays, etc.)
  • “7” is other plastics, such as acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate and polylactic acid (PLA).

Wait a minute. I thought you could recycle all plastics?

STILL confused? Download our FREE recycling guide (or support Green Philly and get one shipped to you for $5).


Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

Compost network growing, rising temperatures, state energy plans, & more

Check out the latest sustainability news: Community Compost Network is expanding. Farm Philly, Parks and…

3 hours ago

Ocean City among NJ coastal towns affected by sea-level rise

Millions have been pledged to fight flooding in this local favorite shore town. Is it…

24 hours ago

How Louis Bartholomew supports greening efforts in Queen Village

Read about how our latest Civic Catalyst advocates for and supports greening efforts in Queen…

2 days ago

Climate action updates, EPA deregulation, new gardens, & more

Check out the latest sustainability news: Office of Sustainability releases 2025 Climate Action Update. OSS…

1 week ago

A bird-a-thon without birdwatching? For blind birders, it’s all about sound

From Malvern to Massachusetts, the first blind birding event showed accessibility in action. Chester County…

1 week ago

How Fishtown neighbors organized for a pedestrian safety win

More than 500 residents advocated for change, leading to 40% longer crosswalk times on Girard…

1 week ago