Ever wonder what the numbers inside the “triangles made of arrows” means? It is basically the standard classification of plastics. It means plastics are divided into seven different types and some are recycled more often than others.
Numbers 1, 2 and 5 are recycled the most, while 3, 6 and 7 almost never. Number 4 sometimes (source: BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45496884).
According to the British Plastic Federation, most plastic can be recycled,
“however the extent to which they are recycled depends upon technical, economic and logistic factors. Plastics are a finite and valuable resource, so the best outcome after their initial use is to be recycled into a new product to be used again, and then again, and so on. ” (source: https://www.bpf.co.uk/sustainability/plastics_recycling.aspx).
So, is it time to re-think the consumer approach, explaining the general public how plastic is classified so everyone can understand what the numbers means? A little explanation would go a long way (or perhaps not?).
What do you think?
