Not all plastic, however, is the same. Each type, or resin, has a unique chemical formula which gives it special properties and long, technical names! Identification codes have been established to help consumers distinguish one type of plastic from another.

There are seven different types of plastic resins that are commonly used to package household products. The identification codes listed below can be found on the bottom of most plastic packaging.

Even though CSWD recently expanded its plastics recycling and NOW accepts Plastics #1-7, we still CANNOTaccept plastic bags or Styrofoam. We also CANNOT accept any plastic that does not meet certain dimensions. All plastics that are accepted in Chittenden County need to be a minimum size of 2 inches on any two sides, and a maximum size of 2 feet on any one side.

Click here for a complete list of what can be recycled in CSWD.

SYMBOL	RESIN NAME	EXAMPLES	NOT RECYCLABLE IN CSWD
	polyethylene terephthalate	soda bottles and most water bottles, some clear containers for juice, ketchup, cooking oil, and salad dressing
	high density polyethylene	milk and cider jugs, detergent bottles, some dairy tubs, some shampoo bottles, some plastic bags
	polyvinyl chloride	some household cleaner bottles, some cooking oil bottles
	low density polyethylene	most plastic film bags, most flexible lids, some squeezable plastic containers	Lids less than 2" in diameter, plastic bags, pliable plastic and plastic wrap are NOT accepted in Chittenden County. Click here to learn more about plastic bag recycling.
	polypropylene	some dairy tubs and take out containers
	polystyrene	includes most Styrofoam products such as meat trays, cups, take out containers, packaging blocks and peanuts. Other non-Styrofoam products include dairy tubs and CD cases.	All Styrofoam products including cups, meat trays, take out containers, and packaging blocks and peanuts are NOT accepted in Chittenden County
	other	some squeezable bottles and other packaging made from unusual resins or layers of different resin types