Plastics Recycling
The confusion over what we can and cannot recycle continues to
confound consumers. Plastics are especially troublesome, as
different types of plastic require different processing to be
reformulated and re-used as raw material. Some municipalities
accept all types of plastic for recycling, while others only accept
jugs, containers and bottles with certain numbers stamped on their
bottoms.
Recycling by the Numbers
The symbol code we’re familiar with—a single digit ranging from
1 to 7 and surrounded by a triangle of arrows—was designed by The
Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) in 1988 to allow consumers
and recyclers to differentiate types of plastics while providing a
uniform coding system for manufacturers. The numbers, which 39 U.S.
states now require to be molded or imprinted on all eight-ounce to
five-gallon containers that can accept the half-inch minimum-size
symbol, identify the type of plastic. According to the American
Plastics Council, an industry trade group, the symbols also help
recyclers do their jobs more effectively.
Symbols
1- PETE (polyethylene terephthalate)
2- HDPE (high density polyethylene)
3- PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
4- LDPE (low density polyethylene)
5- PP (polypropylene)
6- PS (polystyrene)
7- O (other), This category includes polycarbonate, polyurethane,
polysulfone, neoprene, and ABS and SBR synthetic
rubbers.
Easy Plastics to Recycle
The easiest and most common plastics to recycle are made of
polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) and are assigned the number 1.
Examples include soda and water bottles, medicine containers, and
many other common consumer product containers. Once it has been
processed by a recycling facility, PETE can become fiberfill for
winter coats, sleeping bags and life jackets. It can also be used
to make bean bags, rope, car bumpers, tennis ball felt, combs,
cassette tapes, sails for boats, furniture and, of course, other
plastic bottles. Number 2 is reserved for high-density polyethylene
plastics. These include heavier containers that hold laundry
detergents and bleaches as well as milk, shampoo and motor oil.
Plastic labeled with the number 2 is often recycled into toys,
piping, plastic lumber and rope. Like plastic designated number 1,
it is widely accepted at recycling centers.
Plastics Less Commonly Recycled
Polyvinyl chloride, commonly used in plastic pipes, shower
curtains, medical tubing, vinyl dashboards, and even some baby
bottle nipples, gets number 3. Like numbers 4 (wrapping films,
grocery and sandwich bags, and other containers made of low-density
polyethylene) and 5 (polypropylene containers used in Tupperware,
among other products), few municipal recycling centers will accept
it due to its very low rate of recyclability.
Another Useful Plastic to Recycle
Number 6 goes on polystyrene (Styrofoam) items such as coffee
cups, disposable cutlery, meat trays, packing “peanuts” and
insulation. It is widely accepted because it can be reprocessed
into many items, including cassette tapes and rigid foam
insulation.
Hardest Plastics to Recycle
Last, but far from least, are items crafted from various
combinations of the aforementioned plastics or from unique plastic
formulations not commonly used. This category also includes
polycarbonate, polyurethane, polysulfone, neoprene, and ABS and SBR
synthetic rubbers. Usually imprinted with a number 7 or nothing at
all, these plastics are the most difficult to recycle and, as such,
are seldom collected or recycled. More ambitious consumers can feel
free to return such items to the product manufacturers to avoid
contributing to the local waste stream, and instead put the burden
on the makers to recycle or dispose of the items properly.
The coordinates for the cache are:
N 36° A.BCD W 085° E.FGH
A= (polypropylene)
B= (polyvinyl chloride)
C= (high density polyethylene) + (polyethylene
terephthalate)
D= (polycarbonate) - (polystyrene)
E= [(low density polyethylene) x 10] + (polyvinyl
chloride)
F= (polyethylene terephthalate)
G= (polystyrene)
H=(polyvinyl chloride)
There are two wallet sized portraits of Abe Lincoln in the cache
for the first to find.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on
Geochecker.com.