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Connecting The Dots Project (CTDP) provides a dynamic networking platform for education, collaboration, and community-driven initiatives, fostering sustainability and innovative environmental solutions. Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards Connecting The Dots Project (CTDP) Join CTDP’s New Platform! Network, Learn, and Take Action for a Sustainable Future. Connect The Dots Now! Code of Conduct Privacy Policy Welcome to CTDP, a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit inspiring interest in nature and sustainability. We connect individuals, ideas, and resources to turn environmental challenges into real-world solutions. CTDP is for everyone, because no action is too small and every step toward sustainability helps shape a better future. Grants, Fellowships & Scholarships for Youth Changemakers Empowering you to fund your dreams and drive real impact Current headlines Current headlines Current headlines Current headlines Microplastics Are Reaching Our Bones Microplastics have infiltrated human blood, the cardiovascular system, and even fetal tissue. Now, researchers have discovered them in our bones. The Wardian Case: How a Glass Box Transformed Plant Voyages 🌱 First Recorded Rabies Outbreak in South Africa’s Seals Alarms Scientists Rabies likely made a rare leap from jackals to Cape fur seals, marking an unprecedented cross-species transmission in marine wildlife. How Much Does It Really Cost to Climb Everest in 2025? AI Data Centers Are Driving Up Electricity Bills, Even for Non-Users 200,000 Barrels of Radioactive Waste on the Atlantic Seabed Hong Kong’s Dual Water System: How Seawater Is Used for Toilet Flushing Explore More Explore More Explore More Explore More Recycling Economy & Politics Lifestyle Land Water Air & Space All Videos Play Video Play Video Saving Monarchs Play Video Play Video Tiny Particles, Big Impact Play Video Play Video Illinois incentive programs for solar panel installation - $0 down for eligible Illinois residents Load More Connect the Dots by exploring our new feature: Forums Sign up Sign up to receive news updates Join the Community Code of Conduct Forum Contact Us

Learn about plastic types, recycling codes, and proper disposal methods. Discover which plastics are recyclable, their environmental impact, and how to reduce plastic waste effectively on our All About Recycling page of Connecting the Dots Project (CTDP). Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards All about plastics All about plastics All about plastics All about plastics Plastics recycling rate less than 9% Scroll to see where the rest ends up. Plastic Symbols Understanding plastic codes helps in proper recycling. Click the numbers below. General Rule of Thumb in Recycling Different Equipment & Capabilities – Not all recycling centers have the same technology to process materials. What one facility can recycle, another might not. Local Regulations – Cities, counties, and states have different rules about what materials can be recycled, how they should be sorted, and where they should be taken. Market Demand – Recycling is influenced by market conditions. Some materials (e.g., certain plastics) may not be accepted if there's no buyer for the recycled material. Contamination Risks – Recycling incorrectly (e.g., throwing in greasy pizza boxes or plastic bags) can contaminate entire batches, making them unrecyclable. Facilities have different standards on what they accept to minimize contamination. Curbside vs. Drop-off Programs – Some items (e.g., batteries, electronics, hazardous waste) may not be accepted in curbside bins but can be dropped off at special locations. Check out more on our recycling page. You need to check recycling guidelines vary by location. Can't Find the Recycling Code? Here's a general guide by product type. Local rules may vary. RESTRICTED Plastic products for Curbside Recycling Bio-based plastics Compostable or bio-based plastics are not typically recyclable. They should be composted or thrown away in the trash. ACCEPTED Plastic products for Curbside Recycling PET Bottles ♳ PET – Polyethylene Terephthalate ✅ Accepted Items: Water and soda bottles Juice bottles Salad dressing & condiment bottles Peanut butter & food jars ❌ Not Accepted: PET clamshell containers (many programs do not accept them) Oily or heavily soiled containers Pigments Pigments Pigments Pigments Learn about plastic pigments Additives Additives Additives Additives About 4,200 out of 16,000 (or 26%) identified as hazardous Polymer Structure Polymer Structure Polymer Structure Polymer Structure Two main categories based on their polymer structure. Labels & Adhesives Labels & Adhesives Labels & Adhesives Labels & Adhesives How Labels and adhesives affect plastic recycling Size & Shape Size & Shape Size & Shape Size & Shape Challenges with recycling of large plastics Factors Affecting Recyclability Microplastics Microplastics (MPs) are tiny plastic particles, less than 5 mm in size, that are widespread pollutants in water, air, and soil. They originate from the breakdown of larger plastic items (secondary MPs) and direct sources like cosmetics and industrial pellets (primary MPs). MPs can absorb harmful environmental pollutants and may leach certain additives like BPA and phthalates under conditions like heat, sunlight, or weathering. Human exposure occurs through ingestion, inhalation, and contact, raising concerns about potential health and environmental impacts. Micro and Nanoplastics Microplastics are reaching our bones High Risk Populations Watch "Tiny Particles, Big Impact" Microplastic Prevention Microplastics in Human Bodies Food Assistance Programs in U.S.: Combatting Food Insecurity and Processed Food Potential Health Risks Mechanism of Microplastics Microplastic Sources Toxic Plastic Ingredients Microplastics in the Extremes: Tracing Pollution from the Deep Sea to the Skies

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards Microplastics and Nano Plastics Previous Next Citation: D. Rotchell JM, Jenner LC, Chapman E, Bennett RT, Bolanle IO, Loubani M, et al. (2023) Detection of microplastics in human saphenous vein tissue using μ FTIR: A pilot study. PLoS ONE 18(2): e0280594. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal . pone.0280594 E. Horvatits T, Tamminga M, Liu B, Sebode M, Carambia A, Fischer L, Püschel K, Huber S, Fischer EK. Microplastics detected in cirrhotic liver tissue. EBioMedicine. 2022 Aug;82:104147. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom. 2022.104147. Epub 2022 Jul 11. PMID: 35835713; PMCID: PMC9386716 F. Sripada K, Wierzbicka A, Abass K, Grimalt J. O., Erbe A, Rollin H. B., Weihe P, Diaz G J, Singh R R, Visnes T, Rautio A, Odland O, Wagner M. A Children’s Health Perspective on Nano and Microplastics. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2022 https://doi.org/101/1289/EHP9086 G. Binder AM, Corvalan C, Pereira A, Calafat AM, Ye X, Shepherd J, Michels KB. Prepubertal and Pubertal Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure and Breast Density among Chilean Adolescents. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2018 Dec;27(12):1491-1499. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-17-0813. Epub 2018 Aug 29. PMID: 30158279; PMCID: PMC6541222 H. https://www.oecd-forum-org/posts/child-brain-develoment-in-pollution-sacrifice-zones-a-call-o-action- accessed 3_28_2023 I. Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta Ragusa A;Svelato A;Santacroce C;Catalano P;Notarstefano V;Carnevali O; Papa F;Rongioletti MCA;Baiocco F;Draghi S;D'Amore E;Rinaldo D;Matta M;Giorgini E J. Durable Plastic Goods: A Source of Microplastics and Chemical Additives in the Built and Natural Environments. Environmental Science & Technology Letters 2022, 9 (10) , 798-807. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00417 Hua Zhou, Ye Wang, Yue Ren, Zhenhua Li, Xianggui Kong, Mingfei Shao, Haohong Duan.

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Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards Contributors of Microplastics Previous Next Primary Microplastics (Intentionally Produced) These are manufactured small plastic particles used in products or industrial processes. Microbeads – Found in personal care products like exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste, and facial cleansers. Industrial Abrasives – Used in sandblasting and industrial cleaning processes. Plastic Pellets (Nurdles) – Small raw plastic beads used in plastic manufacturing that often spill into the environment during transport. Secondary Microplastics (Breakdown of Larger Plastics) These result from the fragmentation and degradation of larger plastic items due to environmental exposure. 4. Synthetic Fibers – Released from washing clothes made of polyester, nylon, and acrylic. These fibers enter waterways through wastewater. 5. Plastic Waste Degradation – Plastic bags, bottles, and packaging break down over time due to UV radiation, weathering, and mechanical forces. 6. Car Tire Wear – Tiny plastic particles are shed from tires due to friction with roads and get washed into waterways by rain. 7. Paints and Coatings – Marine, industrial, and household paints release microplastic particles as they degrade. 8. Road Markings – Traffic lines and markings wear down over time, contributing to microplastic pollution. 9. Fishing Gear – Lost or discarded fishing nets and ropes made of plastic degrade and release microplastics into marine environments. 10. Sanitary products and diapers Single-use utensils Citations: A . Meeker John D., Sathyanarayaba Sheela and Swan Shanna H. 2009 Phthalates and other additives in plastics: human exposure and associated health outcomes. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B3642097–2113. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0268

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Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards Microplastics in the Extremes: Tracing Pollution from the Deep Sea to the Skies Previous Next Microplastics in the Extremes: Tracing Pollution from the Deep Sea to the Skies The widespread distribution of microplastics is evident, as they have been detected in diverse environments, from the depths of the oceans to the highest mountains. Their persistence and mobility pose significant challenges to ecosystems and human health worldwide. Mariana Trench The Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the world's oceans, has not been immune to microplastic contamination. Studies have detected microplastic particles in sediment samples from the trench, highlighting that even the planet's most profound depths are affected by human-induced pollution. Antarctic Snow Pristine regions like Antarctica are also experiencing microplastic infiltration. Research published in The Cryosphere reported the first evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow, suggesting that these particles are transported through the atmosphere and deposited in remote polar regions. Potential sources include local human activities and long-range atmospheric transport. Atmosphere and Cloud Formation Microplastics have been found in the atmosphere, with studies indicating their potential to influence cloud formation and, consequently, weather and climate patterns. These airborne particles can travel vast distances, affecting regions far from their original source. Point Nemo Point Nemo, known as the oceanic pole of inaccessibility and the farthest point from any landmass, has been studied for microplastic contamination. Despite its remoteness, ocean currents can transport microplastics to this area, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of plastic pollution.