the green gal

Plastic by numbers

Have you ever wondered what the number in a triangle of arrows on the bottom of a plastic bottle or tub means? 

Plastic is divided into seven categories and the numbers show how the plastic can be recycled. The vast majority of plastic is made from oil so there's never been a greater need to recycle rather than send it to landfill.

What the numbers mean

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE). This plastic is often used for fizzy pop bottles and ready-meal containers.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE). This number is usually found on plastic milk bottles, my bottle of washing-up liquid has it stamped on the bottom.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Clingfilm, shampoo bottles and toys can be made out of this plastic. And dodgy trousers.

Low density polyethylene (LDPE). This is thin plastic like carrier bags and bin liners. It can rip easily which is why most plastic bags can only be used once.

Polypropylene (PP). My Chinese takeaway boxes have this number on the bottom. Don't worry, I reuse them to store ribbons and buttons!

Polystyrene (PS). Yoghurt pots, egg cartons, vending cups and the plastic used to package electronic goods are all made from polystyrene.

This number is used for any other plastic that doesn't fit into one of the categories above.

Not all plastics can be recycled by every UK council so it's worth finding out what your council can take. 

Interesting fact - PET bottles can be recycled into clothing. The plastic is broken down into little pieces and then spun into thread. This, quite remarkably, can then be used to make trousers, shirts, jackets, the list goes on. According to www.wasteonline.org.uk, it takes 25 bottles to make an adult's fleece! Check out www.recyclenow.com, it has lots of useful info on all kinds of recycling.

Message in a bottle

When I started writing about Belu bottled water I was heading in one direction but on further research I've done a u-turn. I was going to write that bottled water can never be good – why ship water cross-country or in from overseas when you can turn on the tap, the manufacture of plastic bottles uses barrels of oil plus they can't biodegrade so stay on the planet forever. But the odd thing about Belu is that they tell you to drink tap water, that tap water should be everyone's first choice. True, but curious coming from a company selling water (the Dragons would be horrified if confronted with that pitch).

Their view is that sometimes you're not near a tap, or you don't like the taste, and so you are going to buy a bottle of water. And if you're going to buy a bottle of water, make it theirs. (That's sounding more like a commercial business.) But, there's another but, Belu water does, as far as I can find out, appear to be a more eco-friendly choice than other bottled waters. 

The facts:

• the water come from within the UK, Shropshire to be exact
• the bottles are made either from glass or corn and the caps are recyclable
• the corn, or bio, bottle is compostable although commercial composters will break it down more easily than home composters. The bottle can also be thrown in with the rest of your recycling and recycled into other products.
• Belu gives their profits (the amount will be disclosed in a few months, says their website) to Water Aid to fund clean water projects in the UK and abroad
• the company is carbon neutral, sourcing clean energy where possible and offsetting any remaining carbon emissions
• they're working on a tap water filtration system to use in hotels and restaurants – yes they're making money but they're still encouraging tap rather than bottle use

Belu water is sold in some Tesco and Waitrose stores across the country so widely available if you're near one of two supermarkets. A pack of six bottles costs £2.69. Although I will still be trying to refill bottles I already have from the tap, if I am in desperate need of hydration away from home, I will endeavour to choose Belu over a less green brand.