That little triangle of arrows with a number on the bottom of plastic packaging looks like a recycling promise. It isn't. The number is a resin identification code — it tells you what type of plastic something is, not whether your council will actually recycle it. Understanding the difference is what stops you wishcycling. Here's what each number really means.
First, the honest bit
The chasing-arrows symbol is not regulated as a recyclability claim — a #6 polystyrene tray carries the same arrows as a #1 bottle, even though one is widely recycled and the other almost never is. So treat the number as a clue to the material, then check it against your local recycling list, which is the only thing that actually decides.
The 7 codes
- #1 PET (or PETE) — clear drink and food bottles, jars. Widely recycled.
- #2 HDPE — milk jugs, detergent and shampoo bottles, tubs. Widely recycled.
- #3 PVC (V) — pipes, some packaging, cling film. Rarely recycled kerbside.
- #4 LDPE — carrier bags, bread bags, squeeze bottles, film. Rarely kerbside (take clean film to store drop-off).
- #5 PP — yoghurt pots, tubs, bottle caps, takeaway containers. Increasingly accepted, but check locally.
- #6 PS — polystyrene: foam cups, trays, packing foam. Rarely recycled.
- #7 Other — everything else, including mixed and bio-based plastics (like PLA). Rarely recycled, and often confusing — see compostable vs biodegradable.
What's actually worth putting in the bin
For most kerbside programs, #1 and #2 are the safe bets, with #5 increasingly accepted. Numbers 3, 6 and 7, plus most film (4), usually are not — so unless your local list says otherwise, keep them out to avoid contaminating the batch.
How to use the number
- Check the number to know the material.
- Cross-check your local list — recycling is local, and the same number is accepted in one town and refused in the next.
- When it's not clearly on the list, leave it out. Better in general waste than contaminating good recycling.
The bigger point
The numbers exist because most plastic is hard to recycle in the first place — which is the real argument for using less of it. The tidiest recycling bin belongs to the household that had the least to sort.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recycling number mean it's recyclable? No. It's a resin code identifying the plastic type, not a guarantee your council recycles it. #1 and #2 are widely accepted; many others rarely are.
Which plastic numbers are recyclable? #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) almost everywhere, and #5 (PP) increasingly. #3, #6 and #7, and most film plastic, are rarely recycled kerbside.
What is plastic #7? A catch-all "other" category, including mixed and bio-based plastics like PLA. It's rarely recyclable and, in the case of compostable plastics, shouldn't go in recycling at all.
Why isn't all plastic recyclable if it has the symbol? Because the symbol is unregulated as a recyclability claim — it marks the material, not what your local facility can process. Always defer to your local list.
The bottom line
The recycling number tells you what a plastic is, not whether it's recycled. Learn that #1 and #2 (and increasingly #5) are the reliable ones, treat the rest as probably-not unless your local list says so, and never wishcycle the higher numbers. And remember the honest takeaway: the symbol exists because plastic is hard to recycle — so reducing it beats sorting it.
Keep reading: Zero Waste for Beginners: How to Start, Zero Waste with Kids: Easy Family Habits, and Zero-Waste Baby: A Guide for New Parents.
