I recently came across another chain mail, about the numbers below plastic bottles we use. According to this mail, the number (generally within a triangle) written at the bottom, which ranges from one to seven, indicates how many times that particular plastic is recycled in reverse order. I dug a little deeper. Apparently, the number printed has nothing to do with the number of times plastic has been recycled. It’s just the type of plastic which is used for that particular bottle. 5 is polypropylene and 1 is polyethlyene terephthalate etc etc.
One primary use of having the numbers if to help recyclers to sort into appropriate groups. In other words, identification number.
1 – PET, polyethlyene terephthalate
2 – HDPE, high-density polyethylene
3 – PVC, polyvinyl chloride
4 – LDPE, low-density polyethylene
5 – PP, polypropylene
6 – PS/PS-E, polystyrene / expanded polystyrene
7 – OTHER, resins or multi-materials
Here is copy paste of that mail
How to avoid:Check on the bottom of the bottle there is a triangle sign and there will be a number on it. If the number is higher than or equal to 5 –> then this bottle is safe to use.Whatever number under 5, will release the chemical. For most bottle water, the number is 1.Did you know chemical released by plastic water bottles can cause cancer(It is not the water that affecting you but the chemical releasing from the bottle)Pass this to all your friends and also make them aware of it…How to avoid:Check on the bottom of the bottle there is a triangle sign and there will be a number on it. If the number is higher than or equal to 5 –> then this bottle is safe to use.
Whatever number under 5, will release the chemical. For most bottle water, the number is 1.
Did you know chemical released by plastic water bottles can cause cancer(It is not the water that affecting you but the chemical releasing from the bottle)
Pass this to all your friends and also make them aware of it…
The Bach 
Suppose no number is identified then how do we find the quality of bottle
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you all see .. 1 is the safest bottle to use
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i agree with this site.
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the bisleri bottles which are mineral bottle have no.1 on bottom of it
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the article in question talks about RE-USING bottles. not about RE-CYCLING as the author of this article has thought it to be…
most mineral water bottles come with the message that you should destroy it after initial use. but people do re-use it again.
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Thank you for this post! I hate the wastefulness of water bottles, especially when you are at home, and one can use a glass, or use a reusable water bottle. After reading this, I just looked at my favorite, and a sentimental water bottle, it is a number 2! You just helped to make the world a better place!
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You are welcome 🙂
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hello,,,,,what is the real meaning of those numbers…some said number 1 is the safest but according to you the higher the number the greater the the chance to re use it……..
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That’s not correct
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I wanted to share, my share from Facebook!
I am not sure which I enjoy more, my blog attempts, or what I learn from other blogs. This one is a gentle reminder of water bottles. I recently lost a “sentimental” bottle at the gym and I was somewhat saddened. I did have a back up. After I read this information, I picked up the bottle and it is a number 2. LOL, literally it is #2! So, today it will go to the recycling bin and become something wonderful.
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Some professors say below 5 is unfit to use more than once
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Many thanks for using time to compose “What do the numbers on bottom of bottles indicate?
| The Bach”. Thanks once more -Eliza
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