June 6: Recycling Materials

I've often wondered what those numbers on the underside of plastics represent. Feeling adventurous, today I took it upon myself to find out. A quick Google search of the keywords "recycling numbers" turned up several promising results. I decided to go with the Daily Green's "What Do Recycling Symbols on Plastics Mean?". And, I was awarded with some very thorough and interesting information about those aforementioned numbers. First, the number is based on the type of material of which the plastic in question is made. Secondly, certain numbers should be avoided - numbers 3, 6 and 7 specifically - as the material from which they're made can be toxic. Although many of the arguments against such plastics have not been "officially" proven, it's still worth noting that the materials some of these plastics are made from have already come into question in terms of their affect on our health. I, for one, don't need much more proof beyond it's toxic and it could eventually kill me. Do you?