Burke Recycling Center

Summary of Activities   Hazardous Household Waste   Recycling Symbols

Recycling Symbols and What They Mean

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) or (PET). Polyester is its nickname. Used for: soft drink and water bottles, beer bottles, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter and salad dressing containers, ovenable film, ovenable pre-prepared food trays Recycled into: Polar fleece clothing, fiber, tote bags, bottles, clothing, furniture, carpet

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). Used for: milk, water and juice containers, trash and retail bags, liquid detergent bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, cereal box liners. Recycled into: liquid laundry detergent containers, drainage pipe, oil bottles, recycling bins, benches, pens, doghouses, vitamin bottles, floor tile, picnic tables, lumber, mailbox posts, fencing.

Vinyl (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC) Used for: Clear food packaging, shampoo bottles, medical tubing, wire and cable insulation. There has been increasing concern over the potential toxicity of PVC, watch the media for developments.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Used for: Bread bags, frozen food bags, squeezable bottles (e.g. honey, mustard, ketchup).

Polypropylene (PP) Used for: Ketchup bottles, yogurt containers and margarine tubs, medicine bottles

Polystyrene (PS) Used for: Compact disc jackets, food service applications, grocery store meat trays, egg cartons, aspirin bottles, cups, plates.

Other: Use of this code indicates that the package in question is made with a resin other than the six listed above, or is made of more than one resin used in combination. Used for: Three and five gallon reusable water bottles, some citrus juice and ketchup bottles