Test Your Environmental IQ: Take Our Plastic Recycling Quiz

Think you know a lot about plastics and how to recycle them? Take our quiz to find out.

1. How many types of plastic are there?

• 7
• 8
• 15
• 50

2. Which types of plastic are accepted at most recycling centers?

• # 1 PET (or PETE) and #2 HDPE
• Only #3 PVC
• None of them are recyclable, which is why they're piling up in landfills.
• All non-PVC plastics can be recycled throughout most of the United States.

3. Which type of plastic is not easy to recycle?

• #1 PET and #2 HDPE
• #5 PP
• #3 PVC
• None of the above

4. How many years does it take for plastic to biodegrade in landfills?

• 25
• 50
• 500
• 1,000

Answers:

1. A: 7

Plastics fall into seven general categories, which are divided by the type of resin contained in the plastic. The resin type is identified by a number (from one to seven) inside a triangle of arrows on the bottom of the product.

• Plastics with a #1 indicate the presence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET, or PETE) ? often found in plastic water bottles, food containers, polyester fabrics and carpet.
• #2 high density polyethylene (HDPE) is found in plastic water bottles, grocery bags and bottles that contain cleaners.
• #3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC, vinyl) is used in plumbing pipe, fencing and linoleum for flooring.
• #4 low density polyethylene (LDPE) is what you'll find in toys, container lids and garbage bags.
• #5 polypropylene (PP) make up bottle caps and some appliances.
• #6 polystyrene is found in packing peanuts, compact disc cases and building insulation; and finally.
• #7 (other) usually indicates that the product is made of a combination of resins, or one that does not fit into the other categories.
• Click here to read more about these resins and the products that contain them.

2. A: # 1 PET and #2 HDPE
#1 and #2 plastics are most commonly accepted at recycling centers nationwide, with a few exceptions for items such as plastic bags. It's important to note that recycling plastic is often referred to as downcycling, which means it becomes a lower-quality material. Recycled plastic bottles don't become the same kind of plastic bottle, but rather a product such as plastic lumber. Read more about plastic recycling and safety in this report from Co-op America.