Resin Symbols

Have you ever wondered what the number on the bottom of your plastic container means?

Plastics, like other products, have different types or versions. The Municipality of East Hants Recycling Program accepts #1 to #7.

Symbol	Name	Characteristics	Examples
	Polyethelene (PETE)	usually rigid clear or green	pop bottles, water bottles, cooking oil bottles, shampoo bottles
	High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)	semi-rigid	milk or water jugs, bleach bottles, dairy product containers
	Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)	semi-rigid	pipes, milk or water jugs, bleach bottles, dairy product containers
	Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)	flexible, non-crinkly	grocery bags, bread bags, milk bags
	Polypropylene (PP)	semi-rigid	margarine tubs, maple syrup bottles
	Polystyrene (PS)	often brittle	coffee cup lids, food containers; Styrofoam items may have a resin symbol #6, however, they are not acceptable in our recycling program
	Other	"squeezeable" plastic	includes all othe plastic resins or mixtures of those plastics noted above

For more information on plastics, please contact the Canadian Plastics Industry Association Atlantic Offices at 902-466-6889 or the Environment and Plastics Industry Council at
905-678-7748 ext 231.

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