First things first, plastics are a finished material which are mainly derived from organic substances found in nature such as cellulose, minerals and fossil fuels. Most plastics however are made up of hydrocarbons readily available in natural gas and oil.

1. Plastic recycling helps divert plastics from going to landfills or unintended places such as oceans, beaches etc.

2. Recycling plastic takes less energy and draws less time than making virgin plastic from raw materials.

3. Recycling plastic helps conserve resources, i.e., helps reduce fossil fuel consumption since virgin plastic is directly made from petrochemical feedstock which are natural gas and oil.

In the world every year more than 400 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated, out of which, unfortunately only 9 percent is recycled. Although, not all plastic is recyclable as it is simply impossible with the state-of-the-art technology available with us. But still this is a mind-boggling number as individuals don't take the responsibility for it.

As stated above, some plastics are highly recyclable while others are simply impossible to recycle. The key as to which plastics are recyclable lies in examining the plastic and locating the little triangle made of arrows engraved on it and then look up the number inside the triangle. Triangles with numbers 1,2,4 and 5 can be recycled which also makes it a smart life hack.

1. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) - Polyethylene Terephthalate is the most common form of plastic which is used to produce soft drink bottles, peanut butter jars and salad dressing.

2. HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) - HDPE is a thicker form of plastic than PET and is used for a myriad number of products due to its durability. When HDPE plastic is recycled, it is recycled into more bottles and bags. HDPE is a type 2 plastic commonly used in making milk containers, shampoo and soap bottles etc.

3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) - PVC plastic is a softer plastic which, due to its characteristic of weather and sunlight tolerance, is ideal for outdoor products. PVC is a type 3 plastic commonly used for making plastic wraps, pipes and tubes.

4. LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) - LDPE is used for garment bags and confectionary/grocery bags. LDPE is considered less toxic than other plastics and is relatively safer to use. Upon recycling, LDPE is used for plastic lumber and landscaping boards.

5. PP (Polypropylene) - Polypropylene plastic is rigid and lightweight and has excellent heat-resistance qualities. It serves as a barrier against moisture, grease, and chemicals. 

6. PS (Polystyrene) -  Polystyrene by the name alone, you can guess its function. We often refer to this material as 'styrofoam' and see it most commonly used in takeaway boxes at restaurants, egg cartons, and for packaging peanuts.