Plastics by the Numbers

Most of us are familiar with the little numbers inside the chasing arrows on plastics. But we may not realize that even though a plastic has a number assigned to it, it may not be recyclable. The numbers are known as resin identification codes, and they are used simply to distinguish types of plastic from each other. Furthermore, the codes were devised in the 1980s and since that time many new types of plastic have come onto the market. Unfortunately, these new plastics don't have codes and are difficult to recycle. To help you distinguish recyclable plastics from those that can't be recycled, we've compiled a quick list of the resin codes and noted their recyclability and if they can leach any harmful chemicals into food. In all cases, check with your sanitation department to determine if a given type of plastic can be recycled. And remember, it is often better to use tempered glass and ceramic containers, which will outlast most plastic containers by many years. If you must use plastic, try to find products made from post consumer recycled content plastic. For more information, see our Plastics FAQ.