Below is a brief description of the symbols. For more detailed information, visit the resin identification codes page of the American Chemistry Council Web site.

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) or (PET): soft drink and water bottles, beer bottles, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter and salad dressing containers. It can be recycled into polar fleece clothing, fiber, tote bags, bottles, clothing, furniture, and carpet.
2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): milk jugs, water and juice containers, liquid detergent bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs. It can be recycled into liquid laundry detergent containers, drainage pipe, oil bottles, recycling bins, benches, pens, doghouses, vitamin bottles, floor tile, picnic tables, lumber, mailbox posts, fencing.
3. Vinyl (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC): clear food packaging, shampoo bottles.
4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): squeezable bottles (e.g. honey, mustard).
5. Polypropylene (PP): ketchup bottles, yogurt containers and margarine tubs, medicine bottles.
6. Polystyrene (PS): aspirin bottles, cups, plates.
7. Other: Use of this code indicates that the package in question is made with a resin other than the six listed above, or is made of more than one resin used in combination. Plastics such as three and five gallon reusable water bottles, some citrus juice and ketchup bottles, clear baby food containers.