Plastic Recycling Numbers 1-7: What They Actually Mean (And Which Are Safe)

You have probably noticed those little triangles with numbers on the bottom of plastic products. Most people assume they mean "recyclable." That is… not exactly true. Those numbers are resin identification codes, and they tell you what type of plastic the item is made from. They say nothing about whether your local recycling facility will actually accept it.

In this guide, we are going to break down each number from 1 to 7, explain what kind of plastic it is, whether it is safe for food contact, and whether it actually gets recycled. Spoiler: the answer to that last question is disappointing.

A Brief History of the Recycling Symbol That Is Not Really a Recycling Symbol

The chasing arrows triangle was introduced in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association). Here is the part they do not advertise: it was created by the plastics industry itself, not by environmental organizations. The symbol was designed to look like the universal recycling symbol but is technically a different thing – a resin identification code.

A 2022 investigation by NPR and PBS Frontline revealed internal industry documents showing that major plastics companies promoted recycling in the 1990s while knowing that most plastic recycling was not economically viable. The symbols gave consumers the impression that all numbered plastics were recyclable, which boosted plastic sales while shifting responsibility for waste management onto municipalities and consumers.

California passed a law in 2024 restricting the use of the chasing arrows symbol on products that are not actually recyclable in practice. Other states are following suit. But for now, the numbers remain, and they are still widely misunderstood.

The Real Recycling Rate

Before we get into each number, let's establish the big picture. According to the OECD's 2022 Global Plastics Outlook, only about 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. The EPA reports that the U.S. recycling rate for plastics hovers around 5-6%. The vast majority ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the environment.

And that 9% is generous. Much of what is "recycled" is actually downcycled into lower-quality products that themselves cannot be recycled again. True closed-loop recycling, where a plastic bottle becomes another plastic bottle, is rare.

Now let's look at each resin code.

Number 1: PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

Where you find it: Water bottles, soda bottles, food jars (peanut butter, salad dressing), polyester clothing, some food trays

Is it safe for food?

PET is considered one of the safer plastics for single use. The FDA approves it for food contact. However, the key phrase is "single use." PET was not designed to be washed and reused. Research published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that reused PET bottles can harbor bacteria and that repeated washing can cause the plastic to break down, potentially increasing chemical leaching.

A 2021 study in the Journal of Hazardous Materials found that PET bottles left in warm environments (like a car on a sunny day) leach antimony, a toxic metalloid used as a catalyst in PET production. The levels were higher at elevated temperatures, reinforcing the advice to keep PET bottles cool and use them once.

Does it actually get recycled?

Yes, more than any other plastic. PET has the highest recycling rate of any plastic resin at around 29% in the U.S. It can be recycled into new bottles, polyester fiber for clothing, carpet, and packaging. However, even PET faces challenges. Contamination, color sorting issues, and global market fluctuations affect how much actually gets processed.

Health risk level: Low for single use at room temperature. Moderate if heated or reused repeatedly.

Number 2: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)

Where you find it: Milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, grocery bags, some toys, outdoor furniture

Is it safe for food?

HDPE is considered one of the safest plastics. It is chemically stable, resistant to leaching, and does not contain BPA or phthalates. Of all the plastic types, HDPE and Number 5 (PP) are the ones most toxicologists consider the least concerning for food contact.

Does it actually get recycled?

Yes. HDPE is the second most commonly recycled plastic. Those milk jugs and detergent bottles are among the most valuable materials in the recycling stream. HDPE gets recycled into new bottles, plastic lumber, playground equipment, and piping.

Health risk level: Low. This is one of the safer plastics if you must use plastic.

Number 3: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Where you find it: Plumbing pipes, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, cling wrap (some brands), blister packaging, some food containers, garden hoses

Is it safe for food?

No. PVC is one of the most problematic plastics for health. It often contains phthalates as plasticizers (to make it flexible) and can release vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen classified by the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as Group 1 – meaning there is sufficient evidence that it causes cancer in humans.

A 2019 study in Environmental Research found that PVC food packaging can transfer phthalates – specifically DEHP – into fatty foods like cheese and meat. DEHP is a known endocrine disruptor linked to reproductive harm, developmental issues in children, and metabolic disruption.

The manufacturing and incineration of PVC also releases dioxins, which are persistent organic pollutants that accumulate in the food chain.

Does it actually get recycled?

Virtually never in consumer recycling programs. PVC contaminates other plastic recycling streams and is generally rejected. Most PVC ends up in landfills. Some specialized facilities handle PVC pipe recycling, but consumer PVC products are essentially non-recyclable.

Health risk level: High. Avoid PVC for anything that touches food or skin, especially for children.

Number 4: LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)

Where you find it: Plastic bags (bread bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves), squeezable bottles, some food wraps, flexible container lids

Is it safe for food?

LDPE is considered relatively safe for food contact. Like HDPE, it is chemically simple and does not contain many additives. It is approved by the FDA for food contact and does not typically leach harmful chemicals under normal use conditions.

Does it actually get recycled?

Rarely through curbside programs. LDPE films (plastic bags) jam sorting equipment at recycling facilities, which is why most curbside programs explicitly ask you not to include them. Some grocery stores have bag drop-off programs that send LDPE to specialized recyclers, but participation rates are low.

If you put plastic bags in your curbside bin, you are actually causing problems for the recycling facility, not helping.

Health risk level: Low. Relatively safe for food use, but the environmental impact of single-use LDPE is significant.

Number 5: PP (Polypropylene)

Where you find it: Yogurt containers, medicine bottles, bottle caps, straws, hot food containers, microwave-safe takeout containers, reusable food containers

Is it safe for food?

PP is considered one of the safest plastics for food contact, including hot food. It has a high melting point (around 320F), which is why it is used for microwave-safe containers. A 2020 study in Food and Chemical Toxicology found minimal chemical migration from PP containers into food, even when heated.

That said, "safest plastic" is still plastic. A 2023 study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that microwaving PP containers released millions of microplastic particles per square centimeter. While PP may not leach as many chemical additives as other plastics, the microplastic issue applies to all plastic types.

Does it actually get recycled?

Sometimes, but inconsistently. PP recycling has improved in recent years. Some curbside programs now accept it, particularly rigid PP containers like yogurt cups. However, acceptance varies widely by municipality. Check your local recycling guide, because there is a decent chance PP is not accepted where you live.

Health risk level: Low for chemical leaching. However, microplastic release when heated is a concern that applies to PP as well.

Number 6: PS (Polystyrene)

Where you find it: Styrofoam cups and takeout containers, disposable plates, egg cartons (foam type), packing peanuts, CD cases, insulation

Is it safe for food?

No. Polystyrene can leach styrene, which the National Toxicology Program has classified as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen." The IARC classifies styrene as Group 2A – probably carcinogenic to humans.

A 2014 review in Environmental Health Perspectives summarized decades of research on styrene exposure, linking it to increased cancer risk (particularly lymphohematopoietic cancers) and neurotoxic effects. Leaching increases significantly with hot liquids and fatty or acidic foods.

That hot coffee in a Styrofoam cup? It is pulling styrene molecules right into your drink with every sip.

Multiple cities and states have banned polystyrene food containers, including New York City, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Maine, Maryland, and Virginia. The tide is clearly turning against this material.

Does it actually get recycled?

Almost never. Expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) is about 95% air, making it extremely expensive to transport relative to its weight. Most recycling facilities do not accept it. Some specialized drop-off locations exist, but they are rare. In practice, nearly all polystyrene goes to landfill, where it persists for hundreds of years and breaks into microplastics.

Health risk level: High, especially with hot or fatty foods. Avoid for food and drink.

Number 7: Other

Where you find it: This is a catch-all category that includes polycarbonate (PC), polylactic acid (PLA), nylon, acrylic, and any other plastic that does not fit categories 1-6. Common products include large water cooler jugs, some baby bottles (older models), sunglasses, DVDs, and some food storage containers.

Is it safe for food?

It depends entirely on what specific plastic is in the product, and that is the problem. Number 7 tells you almost nothing useful. The most concerning plastic in this category is polycarbonate, which contains BPA. Polycarbonate was once common in baby bottles and sippy cups before BPA concerns led to regulatory changes.

A 2011 study in Environmental Health Perspectives found that virtually all commercially available polycarbonate products leached chemicals with estrogenic activity, even those marketed as BPA-free. The BPA alternatives used in replacement products showed similar endocrine-disrupting properties.

On the other end of the spectrum, Number 7 also includes PLA (polylactic acid), a plant-based bioplastic that is generally considered safe for food contact and is compostable in industrial facilities. The problem is you cannot tell from the "7" alone whether you are holding polycarbonate or PLA.

Does it actually get recycled?

No. Category 7 plastics are almost universally rejected by recycling programs. The mixed nature of this category makes sorting impossible. PLA can be industrially composted but contaminates conventional plastic recycling if mixed in.

Health risk level: Unknown to high, depending on the specific plastic. If the product contains polycarbonate, the risk is significant. If you cannot identify the specific resin, err on the side of caution and avoid food contact.

So Which Plastics Are Actually Recycled?

Let's be honest about this. In practice, the only plastics that are consistently and widely recycled are:

Number 1 (PET) – bottles and jars
Number 2 (HDPE) – jugs and rigid containers

Everything else is a gamble depending on where you live. Numbers 3, 6, and 7 are almost never recycled anywhere. Numbers 4 and 5 are sometimes recycled in some places.

Here is what happens to most "recycled" plastic:

Much of it was historically shipped to China, which stopped accepting most foreign plastic waste in 2018 (the National Sword policy)
After China's ban, plastic waste was rerouted to Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, many of which have since imposed their own restrictions
A significant portion of plastic collected for recycling ends up in landfills or incinerators anyway, either because it is contaminated or because there is no market for it

The uncomfortable truth is that recycling alone cannot solve the plastic problem. Reduction and reuse are far more effective strategies.

Which Plastics Are Safest for Food and Drink?

If you must use plastic (and sometimes it is hard to avoid entirely), here is a safety ranking based on current toxicology research:

Lowest concern:

Number 2 (HDPE)
Number 4 (LDPE)
Number 5 (PP)

Moderate concern:

Number 1 (PET) – safe for single use at room temperature, avoid heat and reuse

High concern – avoid for food contact:

Number 3 (PVC) – phthalates and vinyl chloride
Number 6 (PS) – styrene leaching
Number 7 (Other) – unknown composition, may contain BPA or similar compounds

The Microplastic Problem Applies to All Plastics

Even the "safe" plastics release microplastics. A groundbreaking 2023 study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, published in Environmental Science and Technology, found that microwaving plastic food containers released up to 4.2 million microplastic particles and 2.1 billion nanoplastic particles per square centimeter. This applied to both polypropylene (Number 5) and polyethylene-based containers.

In vitro tests from the same study showed that the released particles killed up to 77% of kidney cells they came in contact with. While in vitro results do not directly translate to human health effects, the findings are concerning enough to warrant caution.

The safest approach is simple: do not heat food in any plastic container, regardless of the number on the bottom.

What You Can Do: Practical Steps

At the grocery store:

Look for products in glass jars or metal cans instead of plastic
Bring your own reusable produce bags
Choose cardboard packaging over plastic when available
Buy in bulk using your own containers when possible

At home:

Switch to glass, stainless steel, or silicone food storage (check our guide to the best reusable food storage containers)
Never microwave food in plastic containers – transfer to glass or ceramic first
Replace plastic wrap with beeswax wraps or silicone lids
Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water

For recycling:

Only put Numbers 1 and 2 in your curbside bin unless your local program explicitly accepts others
Rinse containers before recycling (contamination is a major issue)
Never put plastic bags in curbside recycling – use grocery store drop-off bins instead
When in doubt, check your local municipality's recycling guide

For advocacy:

Support legislation like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws that shift recycling costs to manufacturers
Back bans on problematic plastics like polystyrene
Push for clearer labeling that tells consumers what is actually recyclable in their area

The Bottom Line

Plastic recycling numbers are not a safety rating and they are not a guarantee that something will be recycled. They are simply an identification system that tells you what type of plastic you are looking at.

The safest approach is to minimize plastic use altogether, especially for food and drink. When plastic is unavoidable, stick to Numbers 2, 4, and 5 and never heat them. Avoid Numbers 3, 6, and 7 for food contact entirely.

And when someone tells you to "just recycle it," remember: the recycling system is broken for most plastics. The real solution is not better recycling – it is less plastic in the first place.

Last updated: February 2026. Recycling acceptance varies by municipality. Check your local recycling guide for the most accurate information.