For the life of us, we can’t find the Web site that originally posted this information but we like it so much, we just had to share it with you all. Hopefully you’ll find this as helpful as we did. ***********************************************************************

Know your 123s

Maybe you’ve heard the expression, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” but ever wonder about the meaning of those code numbers imprinted inside triangular recycle symbols?

“1″  Products/packaging contain polyethylene terephthalate. Examples include water bottles and soda bottles. “2″  Products/packaging contain high-density polyethylene. Examples include laundry detergent bottles and milk jugs. “3″  Products/packaging contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Examples include baby bottle nipples and vinyl toys. “4″  Products/packaging contain low-density polyethylene. Examples include plastic grocery bags. “5″  Products/packaging contain polypropylene. Examples include yogurt or sour cream containers. “6″  Products/packaging contain polystyrene. Examples include Styrofoam packing peanuts and coffee cups. “7″  Products/packaging contain a hodge-podge of plastic #1-6 chemical polymers (a.k.a. the miscellaneous category)

And an easy way to remember which are easiest to recycle: the lower numbers 123 are easiest, the higher numbers 5 ,6 and 7 not so much! Some bigger metro cities are implementing newer technologies to be able to recycle some of the higher number plastics, in LA we recently have become able to put Styrofoam in our blue bins, yay! call your local recycling plant to see what plastics and other items you can recycle curbside!

Happy recycling! And remember, if you think this is just a trend, people have been environmentally conscious since the last oil crises 30 years ago, and the movement has never gone away, just more awareness now, and thankfully so. Baby steps is all it takes…..