Recycling Codes Symbols & Their Meanings
8 recycling codes symbols explained — meaning, origin, spiritual significance, and how each one is used today.
Recycling Code 1 (PET/PETE)
Recycling Code 1 (PET/PETE) — water and soda bottles — the most widely recycled plastic; becomes fleece and new bottles.
2️⃣Recycling Code 2 (HDPE)
Recycling Code 2 (HDPE) — milk jugs and detergent bottles — sturdy, safe, and accepted by almost all curbside programs.
3️⃣Recycling Code 3 (PVC)
Recycling Code 3 (PVC) — pipes and shower curtains — rarely recyclable and harmful in the stream; avoid when possible.
4️⃣Recycling Code 4 (LDPE)
The Recycling Code 4 (LDPE): bags and squeeze bottles — recyclable only at special drop-offs, never curbside.
5️⃣Recycling Code 5 (PP)
The Recycling Code 5 (PP): yogurt cups and bottle caps — increasingly accepted curbside; heat-resistant and durable.
6️⃣Recycling Code 6 (PS)
The Recycling Code 6 (PS): styrofoam and disposable cups — technically recyclable, economically almost never; th…
7️⃣Recycling Code 7 (Other)
The Recycling Code 7 (Other): everything else, including bioplastics and polycarbonate — assume not recyclable u…
♻️Recycling Symbol (Möbius Loop)
The Recycling Symbol (Möbius Loop): the three chasing arrows — reduce, reuse, recycle in an endless triangle, de…