No. 1 - PET or PETE

• A No. 1 is on the bottom of a water bottle.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Known as PETE or PET, polyethylene terephthalate (polyester) is recycling symbol No. 1. Found in soft drinks, water and beer bottles, and peanut butter and vegetable oil containers, this category poses little risk of leaching breakdown products. This means when the product breaks down it releases little or no chemicals that would be harmful to the environment. According to the Organic Consumers Organization, these materials are in demand by re-manufacturers. They are picked up by most curbside recycling programs and can be turned into products such as polar fleece fiber and carpet.
  
  

No. 2 - HDPE

• Most laundry detergent bottles fall under the No. 2 recycling category.Kraig Scarbinsky/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  High-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is recycling category No. 2. A versatile plastic, it has many uses, especially in packaging, and carries a low risk of leaching. It can be turned into pens, recycling containers, floor tile, fencing, benches and lumber. It is found in milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent and household cleaners, shopping bags, motor oil bottles and cereal box liners.
  
  

No. 3 - Vinyl or PVC

• Rarely recycled, windows are a No. 3.Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
  
  Category No. 3 is vinyl or PVC. Rarely recycled and accepted by some plastic lumber makers, it is tough and weathers well. Used for piping and siding, PVC contains chlorine so it is recommended that it is not burned because it can release highly dangerous dioxins. This category includes cooking oil, shampoo and detergent bottles. Also included are windows, siding and medical equipment. When recycled, vinyl or PVC can be made into decks, paneling, flooring and mats.
  
  

No. 4 - LDPE

• LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is recycling category No. 4. Found in squeezable bottles, frozen food and shopping and tote bags, LDPE is a flexible plastic. When recycled, it can be turned into trash can liners, compost bins, shipping envelopes, lumber and landscaping and floor tiles. If you cannot recycle bags curbside, most stores have bins where you can drop them off.
  
  

No. 5 - PP

• This ketchup bottle, a No. 5, may one day be a broom.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Found in syrup, ketchup and medicine bottles, PP, or polypropylene, fall under recycling category No. 5. Recycled through many curbside programs, PP has a high melting point, so it is chosen for containers that can hold hot liquid. Polypropylene can be recycled into signal lights, brooms, brushes, rakes, bins and pallet trays.
  
  

No. 6 - PS

• Plastic cups are a No. 6.Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
  
  Recycling No. 6 is PS, or polystyrene, found in disposable plates and cups, egg cartons, CD cases, carry-out containers and grocery store meat trays. It can be recycled through some curbside programs. Polystyrene, when recycled, can be made into rigid or foam products. While it has the ability to release toxins and has been on environmentalists' hit lists, polystyrene has been gradually gaining traction in the recycling market.
  
  

No. 7 - Miscellaneous

• The miscellaneous recycling is No. 7, which means anything that could not fit under all of the other categories. Polycarbonate is included in this category and has the potential to leach hormone disruptors. This category includes sunglasses, DVDs, computer cases, signs and nylon and can be recycled into plastic lumber and custom-made products.