applicationpractical
How can you tell if a plastic is truly recyclable?
The recycling numbers on the bottom of plastic items tell you exactly what kind of polymer you are holding. Not all polymer chains can be melted down and reformed easily. Thermoplastics (like PET soda bottles) can be remelted, while thermosetting plastics (like epoxy) burn instead of melting, making them virtually impossible to recycle in traditional ways.
Action
Examine the plastic containers in your kitchen. Sort them by their recycling numbers to see which polymers your local municipality actually collects.
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