06/18/2026
Those little numbers on plastic containers actually mean something. ♻️
Different plastics are made from different materials, which means they’re processed and recycled differently. While some plastics are commonly recyclable, others are much harder to process through traditional systems and often end up contaminating recycling streams.
Understanding plastic numbers is one small but important step toward reducing contamination and building more effective recycling systems.
Swipe through for a breakdown of plastics #1–7, what they’re commonly used for, and how they’re typically handled after disposal.