Get to Know Your Plastic!

For the longest time, we have all been guilty of using plastic. We start the day by using plastic in some form and end our day with it as well. Even to this day, we directly or indirectly use it, but what has changed is how I have consciously made an effort to reduce all my single use plastic. Not just plastic, but anything that is meant for single use is not meant for me.

Over the last few years, I have slowly been learning about plastics – its grades, symbols, recyclability and their names. Honestly, I was overwhelmed by all the information I gathered at first, but all of it has been an eye opener in so many ways. Below is a list of different kinds of plastic and its condensed version of what all it is used for:

SYMBOL	NAME	COMMONLY USED	RECYCLABLE
	PET[Polyethylene Terephthalate]	Plastic water bottles Soda Bottles Transparent films Polyester fabric Smart Electrical Meters Solar Panels Headlamp retainer Engine cover Microwaveable containers Food Trays Medicine jars Salad dressings Packaging Trays	YES
	HDPE [High Density Polyethylene]	Jugs for milk Juice bottles Laundry detergent Bleach bottles Carry bags Kitchenware Toys Outdoor furniture Cutting boards	YES
	PVC [Polyvinyl Chloride]	Blister Wrap Cling Wrap Medical Devices Wire & Cable Insulation Window Profiles Pipes Floorings Waterproof safety equipment Inflatables Conveyor belts Garden hoses Sports goods	YES
	LDPE [Low-Density Polyethylene]	Flexible containers Shopping Bags Water pipes Molded Lab Equipment Frozen food bags	YES
	PP [Polypropylene]	Diaper tabs & closures Produce crates Housewares Instrument panels Door trims Food Trays Pill containers Take out containers	NO
	PS [Polystyrene]	Disposable plastic Cutlery Licence Plate Frames Smoke Detectors Foam packaging Building walls and roofing Food service packaging	NO
	O [Miscellaneous plastic]	Water cooler Bottles Sippy Cups Baby Feeding Bottles Medical Storage Containers Compact Disc	NO