Recycling—What No One Told You

Written by Lauren Rice

The numbers found on the bottom of plastic containers are regularly referred to as "Recycling Codes", but what if I told you that those numbers are actually Resin Identification Codes (RIC) that distinguish what type of plastic was used in the manufacturing process? This does not mean that items will be recycled when placed in a recycling bin.

Putting a recycling symbol around the resin code is misleading, it sends a message to the public all plastic items will this symbol are going to be recycled, when that is not the case. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about recycling, and it’s a major reason why the U.S. recycling rate in 2018 was just 8.7% — and has only fallen since.

Like many countries, the U.S. recycling system relies heavily on consumer participation, and yet, we lack clear accessible education on what materials can and cannot actually be recycled. That means most of us are trying to do the “right thing,” but we’re working with blurry instructions.

In 2021, U.S. plastic recycling rates declined again. Only 5–6% of plastic was successfully recycled, down from 8.7% in 2018.

We’ve never reached even 10% recycling success [1]. What about the rest? It ends up in landfills, oceans, or incinerators, releasing microplastics and harmful emissions into the environment.

Clearly, relying on recycling alone isn’t enough. But what if we shifted our focus upstream — toward avoiding problematic plastics altogether? By choosing compostable, plastic-free, or plant-based materials, we can reduce reliance on a broken recycling system and move toward a truly sustainable solution.

Before we dive into actionable steps, it helps to understand how we got here:

• What Resin Identification Codes (aka Recycling Codes) really mean

• The history of recycling in the U.S. and why rates remain so low

• The growing market for compostable alternatives

Once we understand the landscape, we’ll explore six practical ways your business or household can make a real impact.

What do Resin Identification Codes (RIC) mean?

The numbers seen on the bottom of plastic containers are Resin Identification Codes (RIC) that distinguish what type of plastic it is. Contrary to popular belief, they do not signify that an item will get recycled when put into a recycling bin. So why are these numbers printed with a recycling symbol around them? This happens because the symbol was never registered as a trademark, so it is free for anyone to use without many legal restrictions [2]. Resin Identification Codes (RIC) were developed to identify the type of plastic an item is made from.

There has been discussions about the recycling symbol being changed to a solid triangle (without arrows) to avoid confusion on recycling, but this has not yet become a legal requirement. To update the current symbol, current legislation would need to change. Since this is unlikely, more education around recycling and resin codes is needed.

Here's a quick breakdown:

Resin Identification Codes by: Plastic Detox

#1 – Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE)

• Recyclable in most curbside bins

• Common uses: soft drink bottles, water bottles, laundry detergent containers

• Any plastic that encounters food/drink must be first approved by the FDA, and they choose whether or not it is deemed safe to use [3]

• Single-use item, this plastic can absorb bacteria and flavors—should not be reused

• Recycling rate: ~18% [4]

#2 – High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

• Recyclable in most curbside bins

• Common uses: juice containers, milk jugs, household cleaners, hair care products

• Recycling rate: ~9% [4]

#3 – Polyvinyl Chloride (V/PVC)

• Not recyclable in most curbside bins

• Common uses: (In rigid form) plumbing pipes, building materials

• Common uses: (In flexible form) coating on clothing, leather goods

• Avoid use of this form of plastic when possible

• Recycling rate of less than 1%: [4]

#4 – Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

• Not recyclable in most curbside bins

• Common uses: shopping bags, food bags, trash can liners, food storage, produce bags, plastic wraps

• Recycling rate: ~4% [4]

#5 – Polypropylene (PP)

• Recyclable in most curbside bins

• Common uses: ketchup bottles, medicine bottles, drinking straws, take-out meals, deli foods, plastic containers

• Recycling rate: Less than 1% [4]

#6 – Polystyrene (PS)

• Not recyclable in most curbside bins

• Very few specialty recycling centers accept number 6 plastic

• Common uses: disposable cups, plates, bowls, take-out containers, and raw meat trays

• Can leach styrene into food

• Avoid use of this material when possible

• Recycling rate: Less than 1% [4]

#7 – Miscellaneous/Other (anything not fitting in codes 1-6)

• Not recyclable in most curbside bins, requires specialized disposal

• Common uses: Compostable products, mixed plastic products

• Recycling rate for mixed plastics & compostables: unknown [4]

Note: According to the U.S. Consumer Perception of Compostable Packaging report from the Composting Consortium at Closed Loop Partners (2023), improvements are needed to clearly distinguish compostable vs. biodegradable and home-compostable vs. industrial-compostable products in order to increase the success rate of compostable packaging [5].

Tip for businesses: If you’re sourcing foodservice products, choosing certified compostable and plant-based options reduces confusion and ensures waste actually goes to the right disposal stream. Shop compostable food service products.

History of recycling in the U.S.

Recycling Timeline by Plastic Detox

Recycling itself is not a new concept, given the idea of repurposing scraps seems to have been around for millennia. However, the process of recycling scraps into new materials on a large industrial scale occurred on both sides of the Atlantic between 1800 and 1880 with items like rags, paper, rubber, and metals most commonly being recycled.

According to Zimring, 2005, “The first national trade association for scrap firms was the National Association of Waste Material Dealers (NAWMD), founded in 1913” (they would later change their name to National Association of Secondary Material Industries) [7].

Americans were collecting more items than ever before, and in 1930, weekly garbage pickup began [8]. It was in the mid-19th century that mass-production really began to take off, and it became apparent that the mining of raw natural materials was unable to keep up with consumer product demand.

This was a perfect time for plastics to enter the mix. Plastic and synthetic items grew in popularity between 1945 and 1970 as cheaper alternatives to natural materials, but this introduction did not come without its challenges; material recyclers found that plastics created contamination of natural materials, deeming them non recyclable when mixed.

In 1970 is when concerns of toxic threats to the environment really came to light. The Nixon Administration established the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a mission to protect the environment from contaminants of hazardous waste [9].

In 1907, Gary Anderson presented his recycling symbol design for the International Design Conference and won [10]. This is the same symbol that is widely recognized and used today. It is important to note that the symbol has never been trademarked, meaning that this symbol is free for anyone to use without legal restrictions.

In 1988, the Society of the Plastics Industry developed a uniform coding system to simplify the sorting of plastic waste. Most U.S. states then required manufacturers to place resin codes on all plastic items, a practice that is now an international standard.

We now know that the recycling symbol and resin codes are frequently used together, creating a false impression that all plastic products can and will be recycled. This continues to be a point of contention for environmentalists and the plastic industry.

The growing market for compostable alternatives

The U.S. biodegradable and compostable tableware market is valued at 2.6 billion and is growing rapidly as new plastic bans and consumer preferences shift toward sustainable options. The market is expected to reach 4 billion by 2030 [11]. Local and state bans on single-use plastics and Styrofoam are pushing restaurants, cafés, and catering businesses to adopt compostable food serviceware.

How to reduce plastic waste

Recycling programs today are set up to hold consumers and businesses responsible for shouldering the majority of everyday waste disposal. The U.S. produces over 3 million tons of plastic annually, with only 8.7% recycled. Businesses and individuals can take proactive steps:

6 Steps to Reduce Plastic Waste

1. Educate yourself (and others): Learn about resin codes and the limits of recycling.

2. Choose better materials: When purchasing foodservice packaging, ask, “Is this compostable or plant-based?”

3. Switch your products for events: Use compostable fiber containers, plant-based utensils, and eliminate single-use plastic cutlery.

4. Recycle properly: Check resin codes and contamination rules.

5. Use drop-off resources: Find local composting and recycling centers for hard-to-recycle items.

6. Share knowledge: Collective consumer demand drives sustainable market growth.

Related reading: How Do I Recycle Common Recyclables

Conclusion

The U.S. recycling system alone cannot keep up with plastic waste. Real progress happens when we:

• Avoid problematic plastics by switching to plant-based, compostable alternatives

• Recycle responsibly using proper labels and codes

• Push for transparency and infrastructure improvements in both recycling and composting

Change starts with smarter choices—and businesses can lead the way by adopting sustainable foodservice products that are truly compostable. Visit Plastic Detox and make the switch to plant-based products today!

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References

[1] The Last Beach Cleanup & Beyond Plastics. (2022, May 4). The Real Truth About the U.S. Plastics Recycling Rate: Facts & Figures – 2021. Retrieved from https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eda91260bbb7e7a4bf528d8/t/62b2238152acae761414d698/1655841666913/The-Real-Truth-about-the-US-Plastic-Recycling-Rate-2021-Facts-and-Figures-_5-4-22.pdf

[2] Liboiron, M. (July 2012). Designing a Reuse Symbol and the Challenge of Recycling’s Legacy. Retrieved from: https://discardstudies.com/2012/07/25/designing-a-reuse-symbol-and-the-challenge-of-recyclings-legacy/

[3] FDA (Jan. 2022). About the FCS Review Program. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/food/inventory-effective-food-contact-substance-fcs-notifications/about-fcs-review-program

[4] Bennett, E. M., & Alexandridis, P. (2021). Informing the public and educating students on plastic recycling. Recycling, 6(4), 69.

[5]Unpacking Labeling and Design: U.S. Consumer Perception of Compostable Packaging. Closed Loop Partners – Center for the Circular Economy. (2023). U.S. Consumer Perception of Compostable Packaging [PDF]. Retrieved from https://www.closedlooppartners.com/wp‑content/uploads/2023/08/Composting-Consortium‑Report_Updated.pdf

[6] EPA (Dec. 2022) Plastics: Material-Specific Data. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/plastics-material-specific-data

[7] Zimring, C. A. (2005). Cash For Your Trash : Scrap Recycling in America. Rutgers University Press.

[8] MyEdmondsNews. (2019, October). Looking Back: A history of garbage collection in early‑day Edmonds (Part 2). Retrieved from https://myedmondsnews.com/2019/10/looking-back-a-history-of-garbage-collection-in-early-day-edmonds-part-2/#:~:text=ColumnsLooking%20Back-,Looking%20Back%3A%20A%20history%20of%20garbage%20collection%20in%20early%2Dday,disposal%20had%20finally%20been%20solved

[9] EBSCO. (2023). Environmental Protection Agency Is Created. Research Starters – Environmental Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.ebsco.com/research‑starters/environmental‑sciences/environmental‑protection‑agency‑created

[10]Travers, Andrew. “The Recycling Symbol’s Aspen Roots.” Aspen Journalism, 13 Mar. 2024. Retrieved from https://aspenjournalism.org/the-recycling-symbols-aspen-roots/

[11] Grand View Research. (2024). U.S. Biodegradable Tableware Market Size & Outlook [Report]. Retrieved from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/biodegradable-tableware-market/united-states

[12] National Institutes of Health (n.d.). Plastic Resin Codes. Retrieved from: https://orf.od.nih.gov/EnvironmentalProtection/WasteDisposal/Pages/PlasticResinCodes.aspx

[13] United States Environmental Protection Agency (n.d.) How Do I Recycle?: Common Recyclables. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables#pla