Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Plastic Recycling?

It's Easy Being Green

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Plastics are manufactured in over a hundred different ways, so recycling them can be a daunting task. All plastic falls into one of seven categories, conveniently numbered 1-7. Many plastic goods ends up categorized as “other,” the seventh catch-all category that is sometimes referred to as “the hot dog of plastics” and cannot be recycled.

Take the 20 question quiz below to test your knowledge of plastic recycling and learn what you can do to be a better recycler.

Plastics are composed of long molecules, and each plastic has a different composition. Different types of plastics cannot be mixed with other types in the recycling process—it would be like trying to combine aluminum and glass. As consumers, we can help to start the cycle off right by putting everything in the right place.

Plastic recycling is still in the early stages and therefore isn’t always the most cost effective thing to do. If you want to reduce the amount of plastic that goes into landfills, think beyond the recycling triangle: buy products with less packaging and buy reusable, not disposable, products. To learn more about recycling plastics, see our resource links.

Read more articles from the "It's Easy Being Green" series

Resources

General: What Do Those Recycling Numbers Mean?

General: Valcore Community Recycling

General: Seven Misconceptions about Plastic and Plastic Recycling

Eyeglasses: Lions Club and Unite for Sight

VHS: Recycling Videotapes and Laser Discs and Greendisk.com

Plastic food containers: Microwave Safe Containers and Pyrex glassware

Corn-based packaging: Nature Works, LLC

Recycled plastic outdoor furniture: Loll Designs

Grocery bags: American Progress: Bye Bye to Plastic Bags? and Baggu Bags

Reusable water bottles: TheWaterGeeks.com