

Plastics can be recycled by curbside recycling, supermarket recycling machines or drop-off bins. You will find a number between 1-7 on the bottom of plastic containers. This is a triangle that indicates which type of plastic. If the container is recyclable, it should have a recycling symbol.
Nearly all counties have some sort of plastic recycling. Look in the yellow pages for a recycling center. Then call to learn which plastics they recycle, and where you can drop them off. For statewide recycling information, call 1-800-CLEAN-UP.
Recycling tips
Sort your plastics by number. Mixing numbers can cause contamination during recycling.
Types 1 and 2 consist of soda bottles, water bottles, milk bottles, and some plastic bags. If your city has this service, you can recycle curbside.
Recycle plastic grocery bags by taking them back to the store.
Spray-pumps and lids for bottles can be taken off with a spray-pumps. They are usually made from a different kind of plastic, unless marked otherwise.
Find out if your municipality requires that you remove labels from plastic containers before recycling.
The Bottle Grinder Machine recycling industry is still in its early stages and therefore types 3, 5 and 7 cannot be recycled.
Type 6 is Expanded Polystyrene foam packaging. To find out if the material can be recycled locally, call The Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers (410) 451-8340. You may also need to throw out other type 6 items like plastic silverware.
How can plastic be recycled?
Recycling begins with the collection of plastic bottles, which are then clumped together at the recycling center into bales. Bales can weigh up 1200 lbs. These bales are shipped to a reclaiming firm where they are broken up and shredded by a bale breaker. The flakes are then washed, dried and then melted. The liquid is then formed into beads, which can be used to make carpet, jacket fillings, and clothing. The plastic bottles are not recycled into new bottles.
Plastic bags are too light-weight to be accepted by most recycling collectors. These bags can be recycled at most grocery shops, as mentioned previously. These bags are often used as trashcan liners by many people. Plastic bags account for 9% of litter along the coasts of America. It is estimated that plastic litter can take up to 1,000 years before it decomposes. Many people now say "no" and bring their own bags or request paper bags.
Plastic is not biodegradable so it is important to be aware of how much plastic we use and throw away. Plastic recycling is used to create non-recyclable products. Therefore, reducing plastic consumption is the best way to address the plastic problem.