October 1st, 2010 by Richard Lord
The table of common plastics and their symbols is published in the Guidance on Applying the Waste Hierarchy
Currently only Plastic No. 1 (PET, PETE) and Plastic No. 2 (HDPE) can be recycled at Guernsey’s Bring Banks. However a Guernsey recycling business is looking at the feasibility of recycling Plastic No. 5.
Marks & Spencers is carrying out Plan A, which aims to use only recyclable or compostable packaging by 2012.
Many plastic food packagers are switching from Plastic No. 5 to Plastic No. 1 or No. 2 which can be recycled in Guernsey.
Plastic No. 5 (currently not recyclable in Guernsey) is used to make margarine tubs, yoghurt tubs, microwaveable meal trays etc. but increasingly these containers are being made of plastic No. 1 and No. 2 that are recyclable. Therefore before disposing of any plastic food container it is worthwhile checking to see if it is now made of Plastic No. 1 or No. 2.