PLASTICS

In your quest to go green, use this guide to use and sort plastic. The number, usually found with a triangle symbol on a container, indicates the type of resin used to produce the plastic. Visit EARTH911.COM for recycling information in your state.

NUMBER 1 • PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate)

IS USED IN  microwavable food trays; salad dressing, soft drink, water, and juice bottles

STATUS  hard to clean; absorbs bacteria and flavors; avoid reusing

IS RECYCLED TO MAKE carpet, furniture, new containers, Polar fleece

NUMBER 2 • HDPE (high-density polyethylene)

IS USED IN  household cleaner and shampoo bottles, milk jugs, yogurt tubs

STATUS  transmits no known chemicals into food

IS RECYCLED TO MAKE  detergent bottles, fencing, floor tiles, pens

NUMBER 3 • V or PVC (vinyl)

IS USED IN  cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, mouthwash bottles

STATUS  believed to contain phalates that interfere with hormonal development; avoid

IS RECYCLED TO MAKE  cables, mudflaps, paneling, roadway gutters

NUMBER 4 • LDPE (low-density polyethylene)

IS USED IN  bread and shopping bags, carpet, clothing, furniture

STATUS  transmits no known chemicals into food

IS RECYCLED TO MAKE  envelopes, floor tiles, lumber, trash-can liners

NUMBER 5 • PP (polypropylene)

IS USED IN  ketchup bottles, medicine and syrup bottles, drinking straws

STATUS  transmits no known chemicals into food

IS RECYCLED TO MAKE  battery cables, brooms, ice scrapers, rakes

NUMBER 6 • PS (polystyrene)

IS USED IN  disposable cups and plates, egg cartons, take-out containers

STATUS  is believed to leach styrene, a possible human  carcinogen, into food; avoid

IS RECYCLED TO MAKE  foam packaging, insulation, light switchplates, rulers

NUMBER 7 • Other (miscellaneous)

IS USED IN  3- and 5-gallon water jugs, nylon, some food containers

STATUS  contains bisphenol A, which has been linked to heart disease and obesity; avoid

IS RECYCLED TO MAKE  custom-made products