Well, I found my answer and I’m wishing it were a better one. Turns out that just because there is the recycling “chasing arrows”  symbol on plastics, doesn’t mean it’s recyclable. I refer to an article regarding these misconceptions: http://www.ecologycenter.org/ptf/misconceptions.html

This article explains the number system on plastics:  http://earth911.org/blog/2007/08/17/green-forum-plastic-recycling/

I’m going to have to really process this information before I can speak on it any further. My initial thoughts, however, are that this is unacceptable. All plastics should not carry the chasing arrow symbol, that we know to be the recycling symbol, if it is not recyclable.