3 best examples of identify plastic recycling codes (and how to actually use them)

Let’s skip the theory and start with your kitchen and fridge. The best examples of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples come from things you probably touched today.

Think about three common categories:

• Single‑use drink bottles
• Sturdy jugs and bottles (like milk and detergent)
• Takeout and food storage containers

Each of these usually carries a different number inside that chasing‑arrows triangle. Those numbers are called resin identification codes, and they run from 1 to 7. Different numbers mean different types of plastic, and that affects how (or if) they can be recycled.

We’ll walk through three anchor examples in detail, then build out more real‑world cases so you can spot patterns instead of memorizing a chart.

Example 1: PET #1 – The classic water and soda bottle

If you want a clear example of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples, start with the one you see everywhere: the #1 on clear drink bottles.

Flip over a typical single‑use water bottle or soda bottle. You’ll usually see:

• A triangle made of three arrows
• The number 1 inside the triangle
• The letters PET or PETE underneath

That #1 symbol means polyethylene terephthalate, usually called PET. It’s lightweight, clear, and designed for one‑time use.

Everyday PET #1 examples include

You’ll find PET #1 in:

• Small water bottles from the grocery store
• Most clear soda bottles
• Many sports drink bottles
• Some clear salad dressing and cooking oil bottles

These are some of the best examples because the code is easy to find and most curbside programs in the U.S. accept PET bottles. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PET bottles are among the most commonly recycled plastics by weight in the municipal stream (EPA data).

How to handle PET #1 in 2024–2025

• Rinse: Empty and quickly rinse; leftover soda or juice can contaminate loads.
• Caps on or off? Many U.S. programs now say leave caps on, because caps (often #5 PP) are captured in modern sorting systems. Always check your local guidelines.
• Don’t crush sideways: If your program uses optical sorters, crushing bottles flat can make them harder to identify. Lightly squashing them lengthwise is usually fine.

PET #1 is one of the clearest examples of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples because it’s widely accepted, easy to spot, and has a well‑established recycling market.

Example 2: HDPE #2 – Milk jugs and detergent bottles

For a second strong example of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples, walk over to your fridge or laundry room.

Look at a gallon milk jug or a liquid laundry detergent bottle. On the bottom or near the base, you’ll usually see:

• The chasing‑arrows triangle
• The number 2 inside
• The letters HDPE nearby

That #2 stands for high‑density polyethylene. It’s thicker and more rigid than PET, and it’s used for containers that need to be tough and leak‑resistant.

Common HDPE #2 examples include

You’ll see #2 HDPE on:

• Translucent milk and juice jugs
• Opaque laundry detergent bottles
• Some shampoo and conditioner bottles
• Household cleaner bottles (like all‑purpose sprays)
• Certain large yogurt tubs (though many tubs are #5 PP instead)

These containers are workhorses in the plastic world and another of the best examples of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples because most U.S. curbside programs accept them.

How to handle HDPE #2 in 2024–2025

• Empty and rinse: Especially for detergents and cleaners. A quick swish with water is usually enough.
• Labels: You don’t need to peel off paper or plastic labels; modern facilities are designed to handle them.
• Pumps and sprayers: Many programs ask you to remove sprayer tops (which may be mixed materials) and throw those in the trash unless your local rules say otherwise.

Recycled HDPE is in high demand for things like plastic lumber, new detergent bottles, and drainage pipes. Groups like the Association of Plastic Recyclers track market demand and design guidelines for HDPE packaging (plasticsrecycling.org).

Example 3: PP #5 – Takeout containers and yogurt cups

The third anchor in our examples of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples is the #5 you’ll often find on sturdier food containers.

Check the bottom of a yogurt cup, margarine tub, or some takeout containers. You’ll probably see:

• The chasing‑arrows triangle
• The number 5 inside
• The letters PP nearby

That #5 means polypropylene. It’s a tough, heat‑resistant plastic that holds up well to warm foods and repeated openings.

Everyday PP #5 examples include

You’ll run into PP #5 on:

• Single‑serve yogurt and sour cream cups
• Larger margarine and spread tubs
• Many black or clear takeout clamshell containers
• Some microwave‑safe meal prep containers
• Certain reusable coffee cup lids

Here’s where things get interesting in 2024–2025. PP #5 used to be hard to recycle, but more U.S. facilities are now adding PP to their accepted list thanks to stronger markets and national initiatives like The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition (recyclingpartnership.org).

How to handle PP #5 today

• Check your local rules: Many curbside programs now accept #5 tubs and lids, but not all.
• Scrape and rinse: Remove food residue. A quick wipe or rinse is usually enough.
• Stacking: Nesting smaller tubs inside larger ones is fine as long as they’re all clean and the same material.

PP #5 is a great modern example of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples because it shows how recycling rules change over time. Ten years ago, most PP went straight to landfill. Now, in many cities, those yogurt cups finally have a better destination.

Beyond the big three: more real examples of plastic recycling codes

Those three categories (PET #1, HDPE #2, PP #5) are your everyday heavy hitters. But to really feel fluent, it helps to see more real examples of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples and beyond.

Here are additional plastics you’ll meet often:

LDPE #4 – Bags and squeezable bottles

Look at a thin grocery bag or a bread bag. If it has a code, it’s often #4 LDPE (low‑density polyethylene). You’ll also see #4 on:

• Some squeezable condiment bottles (like certain ketchup or mustard bottles)
• Frozen vegetable bags
• Bubble wrap and some mailing envelopes

Most curbside programs in the U.S. do not want loose plastic bags because they tangle in sorting equipment. However, many grocery stores offer separate drop‑off bins for clean #2 and #4 film plastics. The nonprofit How2Recycle program explains which plastic films can go to store drop‑off (how2recycle.info).

PVC #3 and PS #6 – The problem children

You’ll see #3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride) less often in food packaging and more in building materials:

• Vinyl pipes
• Some window frames
• Certain clear packaging for electronics or toys

PVC is rarely accepted in curbside recycling and can release harmful chemicals if burned. It’s best to avoid where possible and follow local rules for disposal.

#6 PS (polystyrene) shows up as:

• Foam coffee cups and takeout clamshells
• Foam packing peanuts
• Some rigid clear disposable cups

Polystyrene is technically recyclable in some specialized programs, but most curbside systems don’t accept it. Many U.S. cities are phasing out foam food containers because they break into tiny pieces and are hard to recover.

#7 Other – The catch‑all category

If you flip something over and see #7 OTHER, it means “none of the above.” Examples include:

• Some large water cooler jugs (often polycarbonate)
• Certain baby bottles and reusable sports bottles
• Some plant‑based or compostable plastics (PLA)

Here’s where it gets tricky: a #7 code doesn’t tell you whether something is recyclable or compostable. Many plant‑based plastics are industrially compostable only, not recyclable, and they need specific facilities to break down. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides give guidance on labeling compostable and recyclable claims (ftc.gov).

How to quickly identify plastic recycling codes at home

Let’s turn all these examples into a simple routine you can use every day.

When you pick up a plastic item, do this:

1. Flip it over and look for the triangle with a number.
2. Read the number and any letters underneath (PET, HDPE, PP, etc.).

3. Match it to your mental “big three”:

   • #1 PET – drinks and clear bottles
   • #2 HDPE – jugs and sturdy bottles
   • #5 PP – tubs, cups, some takeout
4. If it’s #3, #6, or #7, assume “maybe not” and check your local rules.

With practice, these become instinctive. The best examples of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples we covered—water bottles (#1), milk jugs (#2), and yogurt cups (#5)—will anchor your memory. Everything else becomes a variation on those themes.

2024–2025 trends: Why some codes are getting easier (and harder) to recycle

Recycling isn’t frozen in time. Policies, markets, and technology keep shifting, which affects how useful your knowledge of these codes actually is.

Here are a few 2024–2025 trends that matter:

• Growing acceptance of PP #5: More sorting facilities are adding equipment to capture polypropylene tubs and lids, thanks in part to industry funding and stronger demand.
• Pressure on single‑use packaging: Cities and states are passing laws to reduce single‑use plastics, especially foam (#6) and hard‑to‑recycle #7 items.
• Standardized labels: Programs like How2Recycle are putting clearer labels on packages so you don’t have to guess. These often sit next to the resin code and tell you “Widely Recycled,” “Check Locally,” or “Not Yet Recycled.”
• Extended producer responsibility (EPR): Some U.S. states are starting EPR laws that make packaging producers help pay for recycling systems. That’s pushing companies toward more easily recycled plastics like #1, #2, and #5.

The takeaway: knowing the examples of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples isn’t just trivia. It helps you keep up as rules change, because you’ll understand why some items are accepted and others are not.

Putting it all together: using these codes to make better choices

Once you’re comfortable with these examples, you can start using them before you even buy something.

When you’re in a store and you have a choice between two similar products:

• Reach for #1, #2, or #5 whenever possible. These have the strongest recycling markets.
• Skip foam #6 and mysterious #7 when you can. They’re the least likely to be recycled.
• Notice reuse potential: A sturdy #5 container might get reused many times for leftovers before it ever hits the recycling bin.

Think of the examples of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples we’ve focused on as your “starter pack” for smarter shopping:

• A PET #1 drink bottle you know your city accepts
• An HDPE #2 detergent bottle that will likely become something useful again
• A PP #5 yogurt cup that your updated local rules finally allow in the bin

That small bit of awareness, multiplied by millions of people, adds up.

FAQ: Real‑world questions about plastic codes

What are some everyday examples of identify plastic recycling codes I can check right now?

Walk through your kitchen and grab:

• A clear water or soda bottle (#1 PET)
• A milk jug or detergent bottle (#2 HDPE)
• A yogurt cup or margarine tub (#5 PP)

Those three give you simple, real examples of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples in less than a minute.

Are all plastics with a recycling triangle actually recyclable?

No. The triangle with a number is a material code, not a promise of recycling. Some, like #1 and #2 bottles, are widely accepted. Others, like #6 foam and many #7 items, are rarely accepted in curbside programs. Always pair the symbol with your local guidelines.

Is there an example of a plastic that looks recyclable but usually isn’t?

Foam takeout containers are a good example of this confusion. They often carry a #6 code and a triangle, but most curbside programs don’t accept them. They’re light, easily contaminated with food, and hard to process.

How can I find out which plastic codes my city accepts?

Check your local government or waste hauler’s website. Many U.S. cities list accepted materials by number and container type. You can also use tools like Earth911’s recycling search (earth911.com) to look up options by ZIP code.

Do the plastic codes tell me if something is safe for food or microwaving?

Not directly. The codes identify the resin type, not food safety or microwave safety. Look for separate icons like a fork‑and‑glass symbol (food contact) or wavy lines (microwave‑safe). For health‑related questions around plastics and food, resources like the U.S. National Institutes of Health (nih.gov) can be helpful.

Once you start noticing these symbols on your bottles, jugs, and containers, you’ll realize you’re surrounded by real‑world examples of identify plastic recycling codes: 3 examples and many more. The trick is simple: flip, read the number, match it to what you’ve learned, and make the best choice you can—bin, reuse, or avoid next time.