PolyEthylene Terephthalate - recycle symbol 1

PET or PETE plastic is common for single-use bottled beverages such as soft drink bottles

Can be recycled into polar fleece, carpet, furniture, new containers...

PET plastic is the most common for single-use bottled beverages

High Density PolyEthylene - recycle symbol 2

HDPE is commonly found in Milk containers, juice bottles; bleach, detergent and household cleaner bottles; shampoo bottles; shopping bags; motor oil bottles; butter and yogurt tubs; cereal box liners

It can be recycled into pens, liquid laundry containers, oil containers, floor tiles.....

PolyVinylChloride - recycle symbol 3

PVC is commonly found in shampoo bottles, clear food packaging, cooking oil bottles, detergent bottles

It can be recycled into mats, mudflaps, flooring...

Note: PVC contains chlorine, so its manufacture can release highly dangerous dioxins. If you must cook with PVC, don't let the plastic touch food. Also never burn PVC, because it releases toxins.

Low Density PolyEthylene - Recycle symbol 4

LDPE is found in dry cleaning and shopping bags, frozen food packaging, bread bags, squeezable plastic bottles, cable covering....

It can be recycled into compost bins, bin liners, post packs, rubbish bins....

PolyPropylene - recycle symbol 5

PP is found in straws, bottle caps, medicine containers,  yoghurt containers and sauce bottles...

It can be recycled into battery cables, brooms, brushes, bins, trays...

PolyStyrene - recycle symbol 6

PS is found in Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, some egg cartons, take away containers, compact disc cases...

It can be recycled into insulation, take away containers, foam beads (packaging), rulers...

Note: Evidence suggests polystyrene can leach potential toxins into foods.

Other - recycle symbol 7 i.e. miscellaneous

'Other' can be found in bullet proof materials, sunglasses, large water containers, DVDs, iPod and computer cases...

It can be recycled into custom made products

Note: there are some health concerns regarding polycarbonates

This category includes polycarbonate and polyactide.

Polyactide is plant based and is therefore compostable

Source: Brian Clark Howard from the website 'The daily green' http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321