Recycling Symbol Guide
Identify plastic resin codes 1 through 7, check microwave safety, and learn correct recycling methods.
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Recycling Symbol Guide
Identify plastic resin codes 1 through 7, check microwave safety, and learn correct recycling methods.
Data last maintained
About Recycling Symbol Guide
Resin codes, uses, heat, and safety notes
The guide covers plastic resin codes 1 through 7 with common material names, typical products, heat-resistance notes, microwave and dishwasher indicators, and cautions. It is designed for reading everyday container markings before reuse, sorting, or disposal.
Search by code, name, product, or safety clue
Search accepts numbers, resin names, abbreviations, common uses, and keywords. Filters can narrow the table by practical safety states such as microwave-safe or not microwave-safe, and selecting a row opens details that can be shared with the current code in the URL.
Local recycling and product markings still matter
A resin code is not the same as municipal acceptance, food-contact approval, or microwave certification. Recycling programs, contamination rules, additives, coatings, and product labels vary, so confirm local disposal guidance and the actual container markings before heating, reusing, or recycling.
FAQ
Common questions and answers about this topic.
What do plastic recycling numbers 1-7 mean?
Each number is a resin identification code for the plastic type - 1 PET (water bottles), 2 HDPE (milk jugs), 3 PVC (pipes, packaging), 4 LDPE (bags, film), 5 PP (tubs, caps), 6 PS (foam cups), and 7 Other (mixed plastics such as polycarbonate or PLA).
Which recycling numbers are usually accepted?
Numbers 1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE) are the most widely collected. 4 and 5 are increasingly accepted, while 3, 6, and 7 are often not taken curbside. Acceptance depends entirely on your local program, so always check your municipality's rules.
Do the chasing arrows mean an item is recyclable?
Not necessarily. The triangle of arrows around a number is the resin identification code - it tells you which plastic the item is made of, not that it is collected for recycling where you live.
What are recycling numbers 5 and 7?
5 is PP (polypropylene), common in yogurt tubs, bottle caps, and reusable containers. 7 is "Other", a catch-all for plastics that do not fit 1-6, including polycarbonate and plant-based PLA; number 7 items are often not accepted in curbside recycling.
Does the recycling number tell me if plastic is microwave-safe?
No. The resin code identifies the plastic type, not whether an item is microwave- or food-safe. Look for a separate microwave-safe symbol printed on the product and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
What does this recycling symbol guide cover?
It lists the resin identification codes 1-7 with each plastic's name, common everyday uses, and general recyclability notes, so you can quickly decode the symbol on a container.
Data Sources
This tool's data is compiled from the authoritative sources below.
- ANSI - Resin Identification Codes (RICs), as Specified by ASTM D7611(opens in a new tab)
- U.S. EPA - Frequent Questions on Recycling(opens in a new tab)
- Association of Plastic Recyclers - What are those numbers on plastic packages?(opens in a new tab)
- FDA - Microwave Ovens(opens in a new tab)
- FDA - Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in Food Contact Application(opens in a new tab)
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