What do the numbers 1 to 7 on plastic products mean? If there is one highly usable material continuously rummaging the earth, it must be plastic. According to OECD reports, the world is producing twice the amount of plastic it used to in the last two decades. The sad part is that almost 91% of it leaks into landfills, meaning that only 9% of plastic goes into the Recycling Machines. If we have a solution for the problems created by plastic, why do we still have to tackle plastic landfills? The reason is that we don't know the type of plastic that's usable and recyclable. This blog aims to inform you about the different kinds of plastic and their recyclability so that we can make an informed decision next time.
How to Know Your Plastic Type?
If you flip the plastic package, you can see a small number inside a threearrow triangle. The number can be from 1 to 7, and it indicates the types, uses and recyclability of the package. If you understand what each numeral denotes, it's easy to decide whether or not to purchase the specific product. Here we are explaining the number on each plastic package for you to make a conscious choice-
Number 1: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)
PET is a robust form of plastic that is wrinkle-free and does not allow oxygen to enter the package and destroy the components inside; hence it's widely used for packing food and drinks. Some examples of PET packaging are single-use water bottles, peanut butter containers, salad dressing containers etc.