Here is an Adobe PDF document, from N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources that highlights recycled products produced in North Carolina.

Made In North Carolina

How do you recycle plastics?

1. Check the bottom of all plastic containers for a recycling symbol with a number in it.
2. Rinse and Flatten all containers.
3. Discard caps and unmarked lids.
4. Sort into the following categories. How to Recycle Plastics IMPORTANT! Please do not leave unsorted, unmarked, or non-recyclable materials. Doing so increases our operational costs and ultimately threatens the recycling programs.

Please be neat! Sort with care!

#1 PETE (Polyethylene teraphthalate)<
All soda bottles, and containers marked as such.

#2 HDPE (natural) (High density polyethylene)
Milk jugs and water jugs only.

#2 HDPE (dyed)
Examples: shampoo or detergent containers.

#3 V (poly vinyl chloride)
Examples: some cooking oil containers.

#4 LDPE (Low density polyethylene)
Examples: some lids or containers marked as such.

#5 PP (polypropylene) containers marked as such.

Steps to Reduce Waste

1. Reduce

The very first step in lowering your home's waste output is to reduce the amount of waste you bring into it. Practically the only way to affect waste input is through a change in buying habits. Try the following steps to control your waste input.

- Buy only what you need. Avoid products that are "over packaged." Many small items come backed by cardboard, wrapped in shrink wrap, and boxed. Do you need all that excess?

-Select products for durability and avoid disposables. Many people are aware of "planned obsolescence," which means a product is expected to be useless within a short period of time. Buying products that will last longer may be more expensive outright, but you'll save on replacements and disposal. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, for instance, cost more initially, but save money through lower energy use, fewer replacement purchases, and disposal. They also save your time! Also, use dish towels in place of paper towels.

-Avoid buying unneeded items. One discarded item can often serve a purpose for which you intend to purchase another. For instance, instead of buying your own recycling bins, find an empty five gallon bucket for your recyclables.

2. Re-use

This step of reducing waste can challenge your imagination, because in today's society, reuse takes place largely within your home. Try to think of taking your garbage out as a horrible chore. Then, seeking to avoid this task, ask yourself each time you start to throw something away: "Is there any way I can use this?"

For starters, try the following:

Re-use old bread bags in place of sandwich bags.
Old clothing can be torn up for dirty work rags, such as dusting, and car maintenance.
Use both sides of the paper at home and the office.
Donate unwanted items to a thrift store.
Re-use grocery bags, either at the store or for small trash bags.
Use reusable containers (glass jars, plastic tubs) to store leftover food instead of covering it with foil or plastic wrap.