Enrichment · Passion Projects

What is it made of,
and where does it go?

The number in the little triangle names the plastic, not whether it can be recycled. Sort one item at a time: what it is made of, the code, whether it is clean, what your local program takes and where it is really going. The page catches the mistakes that start fires in recycling trucks and spoil whole loads.

Sort an itemWhat you get

Items sorted

The worked example is made up: six items from one kitchen. Saved on this device only.

Loading the item form. If nothing appears, turn on JavaScript.

What you get

Enrichment · Passion ProjectsFree

What you finish with
A sorting log: per item the material, the resin code for plastics, clean or not, whether your local program takes it and where it is going. Shows the share kept out of the trash and the items still to check; flags batteries and electronics in the bin or trash, bags and film at the curb, codes 3, 6 and 7, unrinsed containers and greasy paper.
Who it is for
Students running a classroom or school recycling project, green teams, families sorting at home and science teachers teaching materials.
Format
Browser log with a saved record per item. Prints one item, the whole log as a table for a bin audit or a blank sheet; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Passion Projects space in Caveat Enrichment.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Pick an item from your bin or your desk.
  2. Name the material and read the number in the triangle if it is plastic.
  3. Check whether it is empty, clean and dry.
  4. Look up whether your local program takes it, and choose where it is going.
  5. Fix what the flags point out, then sort the next item.

Sort an item

Reading the codes, and why local rules matter

The numbers in the triangleCodeCommon itemsAt the curb, in many places1 PETWater and soda bottlesUsually accepted2 HDPEMilk jugs, detergent bottlesUsually accepted3 PVCPipes, some clear packagingRarely4 LDPEBags, film, squeeze bottlesNo; film to stores5 PPYogurt cups, bottle capsOften; check6 PSFoam cups, clamshellsRarely7 OtherMixed and other plasticsRarelyThe numbers in the triangle1 PETCommon items: Water and soda bottlesAt the curb, in many places: Usually accepted2 HDPECommon items: Milk jugs, detergent bottlesAt the curb, in many places: Usually accepted3 PVCCommon items: Pipes, some clear packagingAt the curb, in many places: Rarely4 LDPECommon items: Bags, film, squeeze bottlesAt the curb, in many places: No; film to stores5 PPCommon items: Yogurt cups, bottle capsAt the curb, in many places: Often; check6 PSCommon items: Foam cups, clamshellsAt the curb, in many places: Rarely7 OtherCommon items: Mixed and other plasticsAt the curb, in many places: Rarely
The codes name the resin. Whether an item is recycled depends on your local program and its buyers, so your city’s list has the final word.

The triangle is not a promise

The resin identification code, now a solid triangle in the ASTM standard, tells sorters which plastic an item is made of. The Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides warn that recycling claims should match what local facilities actually accept.

Batteries cause fires

Lithium-ion batteries in phones, vapes, toys and power tools can be crushed in trucks and sorting plants and catch fire. The EPA asks that they never go in household recycling or trash. Tape the ends and take them to a battery drop-off.

Clean and dry matters

Food and liquid left in containers can soak paper and cardboard, which then cannot be recycled. A quick rinse and a shake is enough; it does not need to be spotless.

Sources

  1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: How do I recycle common recyclables; Lithium-ion batteries in household products (epa.gov/recycle).
  2. ASTM International. ASTM D7611, Standard Practice for Coding Plastic Manufactured Articles for Resin Identification.
  3. Federal Trade Commission: Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (Green Guides), 16 CFR Part 260, on recyclable claims.
  4. The Recycling Partnership: Recycling contamination and how to reduce it (recyclingpartnership.org).

The worked example is made up. Acceptance varies by city and county; check your local program. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.