Activity 2.2.

3a Recycling Facts
Note: Use the tables below to document information for the Recycling Materials
presentation and Activity 2.1.3 Recycling.
Meaning of Recycling Symbols
Symbols courtesy of earthodyssey.com

The first arrow represents the consumer gathering the

recyclable materials to be recycled. The second arrow
represents the manufacturer recycling the materials to
create new products. The third arrow represents the
consumer buying products made from recycled materials.

Identifies resin content

The product is made from recycled material.

The percentage inside of the arrows indicates the

percentage of the product that is made from recycled
material.

Recycling Organics
Examples

Grass clippings

Notes
The clippings can become compost. This
compost can later be used as a natural
fertilizer. Decomposing grass clippings on
the lawn will provide nutrients to the soil,
and decomposing leaves can be used as
mulch. If composting is not an option,
many cities offer scheduled curbside
pickup of yard clippings and trimmings.
The trimmings can become compost. This
compost can later be used as a natural
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fertilizer.
Bush and Tree Trimmings

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Yard Vegetation

Food Scraps

The vegetation can become compost.

This compost can later be used as a
natural fertilizer..
Uneaten food can be donated to shelters
or other facilities that provide for people in
need. Food scraps or food waste can be
recycled as compost.
Recycling Metals

Examples

Steel

Brass

Products of Recycling
Cans that once contained vegetables, pet
food, paint, cleaning products, etc. The
following items contain at least 75% steel
and can be recycled: Electric and gas
stoves, microwave ovens, bicycles,
automobiles, etc.
A few examples of common recyclable
products containing brass are beds,
musical instruments, radiators, etc.

Copper

Copper has become expensive and is

often stolen to be recycled for cash. A few
examples of common recyclable products
containing copper are wire and cables,
tubing, air conditioners, etc.

Aluminum

Recycling aluminum involves multiple

products besides soda cans. For
instance, automobile wheels, windows,
ladders, automobile bumpers, baseball
bats, etc.

Iron

Many decorative furniture (yard and

home) products contain iron; however,
other products containing iron are
fencing, signs, electric motors,
generators, etc.

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Recycling Polymers
Symbols from earthodyssey.com

Types of Plastics

Categorie
s

PET (polyethylene terephthalate)

Symbols

Applications

A recyclable
plastic,
polyethylene
terephythalate
(PET), was used
to make the
product.
Applications are
beverage bottles,
milk jugs, writing
pens, trash cans,
etc.
PETE indicates
that the product
was made from
PET. Applications
are carpet,
furniture, bumpers,
fiberfill for jackets
and sleeping
blankets, etc.

HDPE (high-density
polyethylene)

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

A recyclable resin,
a high density
polyethylene, was
used to make the
product.
Applications are
milk jugs,
household cleaner
bottles, trash
bags, shopping
bags, etc.
A recyclable
plastic resin,
polyvinyl chloride,
was used to make
the product.
Applications are
medical tubing,
residential and
business siding,
sewage pipes,
playground

PETE (container made from

PET)

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equipment, etc.
A low density
polyethylene was
used to make the
product.
Applications are
squeezable
bottles, bread
bags, trash cans,
etc.

LDPE (low-density polyethylene)

PP (polypropylene)

A recyclable resin,
polypropylene,
was used to make
the product. This
material has the
lowest density for
the polys listed.
Applications are
ketchup bottles,
straws, signal
lights, etc.

PS (polystyrene)

Polystyrene was
used to make the
product.
Applications are
egg cartons,
Styrofoam cups,
insulation for walls
and ceilings, etc.

Recycling Ceramics
Examples - Recyclable ceramics include bricks, jet engine nozzles, drainage
pipes, crucibles, ends of halogen light bulbs, etc.
Recycling Composites
Examples

Products of Recycling

Old tires -

Artificial reefs

Rubber tires -

Mats for running tracks, etc..

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What are codes? Codes are a systemized body of laws; a set of principles.
Recycling codes dictate the disposal of material solid wastes that are
regulated at the state, national, and international levels by governmental
agencies. In the United States, the general set of principles are similar, but
some portions of the laws may be specific to certain regions of the nation.

Example Product Development Lifecycle for Recyclable Materials

What is a Product Development Lifecycle?

http://www.environment.gov

Notes:
Product Development Life Cycle refers to the stages a product goes through from
concept and use to eventual withdrawal from the market place. Although recycling
does protect the environment, eventually there will come a time for materials to be
permanently dispose.

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Table for Activity 3.1.3 Recycling

Product Questions

Product 1

Product 2

1. Can the entire product be

recycled?
2. What parts of the product
are recyclable?
3. What is the composition of
the recyclable material(s)?
4. What parts of the product
are non-recyclable?
5. What is the composition of
the material(s) for the nonrecyclable parts?

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