Recycling symbol answer

Plastic recycling numbers 1 to 7 explained

Shape, colour, additives, labels, contamination and whether the object is packaging can all affect acceptance.

Quick answerNumbers 1 to 7 are resin-identification codes. They identify the predominant plastic family and do not guarantee local recyclability.

Codes 1 to 6

1 PET, 2 HDPE, 3 PVC, 4 LDPE, 5 PP and 6 PS identify specific resin families.

Code 7 OTHER

Code 7 covers other resins or combinations outside codes 1 to 6. It does not describe one single material.

What to do next

Identify the product format, then check the local service. A bottle, film, tray and durable object with the same resin code can have different routes.

Common questions

Questions people ask

Does a triangle with a number mean recyclable?

No. It is a material-identification code.

Which plastic number is best?

The number is not a simple environmental ranking. Product design, reuse and local recovery systems matter.

Can I put every number in the same bin?

No. Follow the accepted product formats listed by the local service.

Reference sources

Checked 2026-08-16