Plastic #7 (Other) Trash Container Plastics with a #7 symbol or those not marked are trash. Look for the number inside the “chasing arrows” recycling symbol. This number is a manufacturer plastic resin identifier code to let recyclers know the type of plastics they used. Plastics come in many forms and most are not recycled because of difficult materials or those that have a low commodity value. Keeping non-recyclable plastics out of the recycling container is important in reducing costs to our operations when we have to landfill them. Biodegradable Plastic Is Not Recyclable Vegetable-based plastics such as PLA are often labeled as plastic #7, but they are not recyclable. Find out what to do with biodegradable bags and compostable cups, plates & utensils. Did You Know? PLA Plastic vs. PET Plastic PET plastic is a petroleum-based plastic while PLA plastic is a bioplastic typically made from fermented plant starch. While PET plastic can be easily recycled, PLA is more difficult to recycle and requires a special facility in order to be composted. Before disposing, avoid contaminating your recycling by double-checking whether your item is PET or PLA and the current disposal instructions for that material.
