What numbers have to be on the bottom of plastic bottles for them to be recycled?

Brainyblonde

The code below is called the SPI resin identification coding system, developed by the American Society of the Plastics Industry in 1988. Most plastics can be recycled, but because of the difficulty and expense of sorting, collecting, cleaning and reprocessing, at the moment it is only economically viable to recycle PETE, HDPE and PVC. The symbols used in the code consist of arrows that cycle clockwise to form a rounded triangle and enclosing a number, often with an acronym representing the plastic below the triangle. This symbol is otherwise known as the universal Recycling Symbol. Use of the recycling symbol in the coding of plastics has led to ongoing consumer confusion about which plastics are readily recyclable. In most communities throughout the United States, PETE (1) and HDPE (2) are the only plastics collected in municipal recycling programs. Some regions, though, are expanding the range of plastics collected as markets become available. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code May 01 06, 1:27 PM