WHICH BIN TIPS
What do the numbers on plastics really mean?
The numbers 1 to 7 found on plastics is not a recycling symbol, but rather a plastic or resin identification code.
The number advises what type of plastic the item is made from, but not whether it’s recyclable.
Most hard plastics coded 1 to 7 can be recycled in your yellow-lidded recycling bin, however expanded polystyrene foam, number 6, and plastic bags, which are usually number 2 or 4, cannot be recycled through kerbside recycling bins.
Here’s a rundown of what each number means:
1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)  | PET is commonly used to make water, soft drink and sport drink bottles, as well as condiment bottles and peanut butter and vegemite containers. | These items are a rigid/hard plastic and can be recycled through your yellow recycling bin – but lids should be collected in a milk bottle for recycling. |
2. High density polyethylene (HDPE)
| HDPE is commonly used to make milk and juice bottles, detergent, shampoo and conditioner bottles, water pipes and grocery bags. | Rigid/hard plastic items can be recycled through your yellow recycling bin. Soft plastic items cannot be recycled through your yellow recycling bin and should only be placed in your red/blue landfill bin. |
3. Polyvinyl chlorine (PVC) | PVC is commonly used to make plumbing pipes, clear cordial juice bottles, bubble wrap, children’s toys and play mats, tablecloths and vinyl flooring. | Cordial and juice bottles can be recycled through your yellow recycling bin. Toys, soft plastics, mats and flooring cannot be recycled through your yellow recycling bin. |
4. Low density polyethylene (LDPE)
| LDPE is commonly used to make bread bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper bags, produce bags and bin liners, as well as being used as lining in milk cartons and takeaway beverage cups. | Soft plastic items cannot be recycled through your yellow recycling bin and should only be placed in your red/blue landfill bin. |
5. Polypropylene (PP)
| PP is commonly used to make ice cream containers and lids, yoghurt, margarine and butter tubs, juice bottles, bottle caps, straws, plant pots and plastic takeaway containers. | These items are a rigid/hard plastic and can be recycled through your yellow recycling bin – but lids should be collected in a milk bottle for recycling. |
6. Polystyrene (PS)
| PS is commonly used to make foam cups and takeaway containers, moulded packaging, packing peanuts and meat trays. | These items cannot be recycled through your yellow recycling bin. |
7. Bisphenol and others
| Commonly used to make nylon, safety and prescription glasses, baby milk bottles, headlight lenses, CDs and DVDs, and water cooler bottles | Number 7 covers a variety of plastics, some of which can be recycled, and some that cannot. Use the Which Bin product search tool find out if the item you’re disposing of is recyclable. |
