Sorry to disappoint you folks. But you can't kill your spouse by letting them drink on re-used PET bottles!

There've been rumors flying around via email, SMS and word of mouth that the number inside the triangle is the number of times you can re-use PET plastic beverage bottles. You can find it on the bottom side of PET bottles or any properly marked plastic container. After "that" number of times, the plastic will emit poisonous or carcinogenic particles that will eventually kill you.

The number inside the triangle does NOT refer to the number of times a plastic bottle can be re-used or recycled, but rather the type of plastic material used. This is a guide for recycling. It makes it easier for them to segregate the plastics by type.

Code/Number: 1
Plastictype: PET
Polyethylene Terephthalate
Use: Soft drink bottles, some shampoo and detergent bottles

Code/Number: 2
Plastictype: HDPE
High Density Polyethylene
Use: Milk bottles, household cleaners, supermarket bags

Code/Number: 3
Plastictype: PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride
Use: Detergent bottles, some shampoo bottles, film for eat wrapping

Code/Number: 4
Plastictype: LDPE
Low density Polyethylene
Use: Bread bags

Code/Number: 5
Plastictype: PP
Polypropylene
Use: Bread bag tags, jars, some wrapping film

Code/Number: 6
Plastictype: PS
Polystyrene
Use: Yogurt and margarine containers, meat trays

Code/Number: 7
Plastictype: All other resins and mixed plastic

Remember the 4 Rs of recycling are reduce, reuse, recycle, recover!

References:
http://www.visionengineer.com/env/plastic_recycling_symbols.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code

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