. 2022 Apr 13;7(16):13403–13435. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.1c07291

Table 3. Commonly Used Plastics, Their Recyclable Nature, and Their Contaminants.

Type	Abbreviation	Recyclabilty	Description	Contamination
Type 1	PET	Yes	Polyethylene terephthalate	PVC, green PET, Al, water, glue, oligomers
Type 1	PET	Yes	Beverage bottles	PVC, green PET, Al, water, glue, oligomers
Type 2	HDPE	Yes	High-density polyethylene	PP, milk residue, pigments, paper, EPS, cork
Type 2	HDPE	Yes	Milk, detergent, and oil bottles, toys, containers, plastic bags	PP, milk residue, pigments, paper, EPS, cork
Type 3	PVC	Yes, but not common	Polyvinyl chloride	PET, PE, paper, Al foil, PP
Type 3	PVC	Yes, but not common	Food wraps, vegetable oil bottles, blister packages or automotive parts, beverage bottles	PET, PE, paper, Al foil, PP
Type 4	LDPE	Yes	Low-density polyethylene	Paper receipts, printing ink, food scraps
Type 4	LDPE	Yes	Plastic bags, wraps, garment bags	Paper receipts, printing ink, food scraps
Type 5	PP	Yes	Polypropylene	Pb, Cu, acid, grease, dirt
Type 5	PP	Yes	Refrigerated containers, bottle tops, some carpets, food wraps, battery cases	Pb, Cu, acid, grease, dirt
Type 6	PS	Yes, but not common	Through away utensils, meat packing, protective packing
Type 7		Some	Others
Type 7		Some	Layered or mixed plastic