Have you ever wondered what those tiny numbers inside the recycling logo on plastic containers mean? Maybe you haven’t seen them at all (don’t worry- they can be really small). Or maybe you know they indicate something, but you’re not sure what to do about it. 

 

 

The number is called a Resin Identification Code (RIC). These codes were created by the Society of the Plastics Industry to increase consistency, so each number signifies a different type of plastic.

 

The plastic types that can be recycled vary greatly depending on the facility. This means you could drive to another city for lunch and accidentally recycle the wrong type of plastic. When that happens on such a large scale all the time, it increases the cost and decreases the efficiency of the recycling process because people have to sort items out by hand.

 

Doesn’t that seem like the most inefficient method ever? I can’t get over the fact that the majority of people are oblivious to this (because let’s face it- why would they know?), but not much is being done to fix it. How can we be expected to recycle the right things if no one tells us how to distinguish them?

 

If you’re living in the Triangle, I hope this quick guide helps. If you’re not from the area, do some digging to find out which numbers your local recycling plant accepts.

 

 

While the U.S. only has seven types, other countries can have more or less (China has 140 different codes). If you want to learn more about each type of plastic, check out this post from Non Toxic Revolution.

All plastic bottles can go in the recycling bin, but when it comes to tubs and containers, you need to look out for the numbers. 

 

1.Chapel Hill/Carrboro

 

In Orange County, you can recycle only three of these types of plastics. Unlike some facilities, Orange County Solid Waste Management even accepts the caps on your plastic bottles (So leave those guys on!). Rinse and flatten your drink cartons before putting them in the recycling bin, and never put your plastic film or bags in your curbside recycling (those have to go to a special facility- find a drop-off location here).

 

Make sure you keep an eye out for the right resin codes when disposing of any hard plastics.

 

Recycle ONLY #2, #4, and #5 plastics

 

2. Durham

 

My research made me a little prouder of my hometown than I already was (#BullCity) if that’s even possible. A smile actually spread across my face when I stumbled upon the City of Durham’s waste item search engine.

 

You can type in any item, and it will tell you if it can be recycled as well as some tips for disposing of certain items like pumps or lids that can’t be recycled. I thought it might be too good to be true.. It was. After testing out a couple items, I realized it didn’t distinguish between different types of plastics based on the RIC. Despite this small shortcoming, the website also had a helpful quick reference flyer that visually displays which items can be recycled. 

 

Recycle ALL plastic numbers except #6.

 

3. Raleigh

 

I was pleased to find a PDF from Raleigh Recycles that lays out acceptable materials to recycle in the City of Raleigh without too much difficulty.

 

Recycle ALL plastic numbers except #6.

 

According to the EPA, 34.5 million tons of our total municipal solid waste in the United States consisted of plastics in 2015 (the latest report). The number has only increased since then, and only 9.1% of the plastics in 2015 were actually recycled.

 

 

It’s easy to say everyone should recycle, but when it comes down to the moments that matter, people can’t recycle the right items if they aren’t properly informed. This is important because attempting to recycle unacceptable items causes extra work for the recycling plant, decreasing efficiency while increasing the overall cost of recycling which makes it less profitable.

 

I hope this guide can help you out next time you’re standing in front of the recycling bin wondering whether or not to throw that piece of plastic in.

 

Happy recycling!

 

S.