Source: https://www.almanac.com/which-plastics-are-recyclable-number

If you’ve ever flipped over a plastic container and spotted a number inside the “recycling” triangle, you are not alone in thinking that it belongs in the blue box.

Here’s the catch: those numbers don’t mean the item is recyclable. They are plastic identification codes (often called resin codes), and they simply tell you what type of plastic the item is made from. Whether it’s accepted for recycling depends on your local program, not the number.

When we all recycle the right items, recycling works better. When we guess, contamination goes up, and more material gets sorted out and sent elsewhere. So, let’s decode the numbers and make recycling at home a little easier!

What the Numbers Actually Mean

That triangle with a number is a sorting label, not a promise. Think of it like this: the number is the plastic’s “ingredient list.” Your municipality’s accepted-items list is the “what we can process” list. Sometimes those match, sometimes they do not.

Below is a helpful starting point. The most important reminder is still this: always follow your local rules, because what is accepted can vary from one community to the next.

#1 PET (or PETE)

Often used for beverage bottles and many clear food containers. This is commonly accepted in many recycling programs.

#2 HDPE

Often used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, and shampoo bottles. Also commonly accepted.

#3 PVC

Used in some packaging and household products. This one is often not accepted in curbside recycling.

#4 LDPE

Common in flexible plastics like bags, wraps, and squeezable bottles. Many curbside programs do not accept plastic film; it can cause issues in sorting equipment. Some areas have drop-off options instead.

#5 PP

Often found in yogurt tubs, takeout containers, and some lids. Acceptance varies; some programs take it, and others do not. The new EPR recycling model that has been implemented in many provinces enables residents to include food trays, salad, yogurt, peanut butter, bakery and egg containers, plastic cups, plastic tubs and lids in their curbside recycling. However, it’s always best to double-check.

#6 PS

Includes polystyrene, sometimes foam packaging. Often restricted, and in many places, it needs special handling or drop-off (if accepted at all).

#7 Other

A catch-all category (mixed plastics, layered materials, specialty plastics). This is the least consistent for curbside recycling.

The Biggest Recycling Myth: “If it Has a Number, it’s Recyclable”

This is where confusion happens. The symbol looks like a recycling logo, so it feels like a green light. But the reality is: the number tells you what it is, not whether your program accepts it.

When non-accepted items end up in the bin, they can:

Contaminate clean recyclables

Slow down sorting

Reduce the quality of what can actually be recycled

To learn more about common recycling misconceptions to watch out for, read our blog.

How to Recycle Plastics Better at Home

Here are a few easy habits that can help to make a difference:

1) Follow your local accepted-items list

If your city has a “what goes where” tool or search feature, use it. It is the fastest way to get a confident answer.

2) Empty and lightly rinse containers

Recycling should be empty and reasonably clean. A quick rinse helps prevent contamination (no need to be perfect).

3) Keep plastic bags and wrap out of the recycling bin (unless your program says yes)

Plastic film is a common “wishcycling” item. If your area has a drop-off option, use that instead.

4) When in doubt, leave it out and check

It is better to take 15 seconds to confirm than to guess and contaminate a whole load.

The Bottom Line

Those numbers on plastics are helpful information, but they are not a universal recycling pass.

If you want to make your household recycling more effective, focus on two things:

Follow your local guidelines, not the number on the package

Keep recyclables empty and clean

And if you are ever unsure, Miller Waste has resources to help you sort correctly, so the right materials end up in the right place. Curious what happens after collection day? Check out our blog to see what happens next or visit our Municipal Waste Services page for a breakdown of how curbside collection, transfer stations, and recycling facilities work together to keep materials moving in the right direction.