<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Other (often polycarbonate or ABS) </Td> <Td> Dependent on polymers or combination of polymers </Td> <Td> Beverage bottles; baby milk bottles . Non-packaging uses for polycarbonate: compact discs; "unbreakable" glazing; electronic apparatus housings; lenses including sunglasses, prescription glasses, automotive headlamps, riot shields, instrument panels . </Td> <Td> Polycarbonate: Tg = 145; Tm = 225 </Td> <Td> Polycarbonate: 2.6; ABS plastics: 2.3 </Td> </Tr> <P> Low national plastic recycling rates have been due to the complexity of sorting and processing, unfavorable economics, and consumer confusion about which plastics can actually be recycled . Part of the confusion has been due to the use of the resin identification code which is not on all plastic parts but just a subset that includes the recycling symbol as part of its design . The resin identification code is stamped or printed on the bottom of containers and surrounded by a triangle of arrows . (See the table in Plastic .) The intent of these symbols was to make it easier to identify the type of plastics used to make a particular container and to indicate that the plastic is potentially recyclable . The question that remains is which types of plastics can be recycled by local recycling centers . In many communities, not all types of plastics are accepted for sidewalk recycling collection programs due to the high processing costs and complexity of the equipment required to recycle certain materials . There is also sometimes a seemingly low demand for the recycled product depending on a recycling center's proximity to entities seeking recycled materials . Another major barrier is that the cost to recycle certain materials and the corresponding market price for those materials sometimes does not present any opportunity for profit . The best example of this is polystyrene (commonly called styrofoam), although some communities, like Brookline, Massachusetts, are moving toward banning the distribution of polystyrene containers by local food and coffee businesses . </P>

One reason that only a small percentage of plastic is recycled is that