Ethan Clarke
Plastic items are usually labelled with a number from 1 to 7, which indicates the type of plastic resin used and its recyclability. However, it is important to note that the presence of a recycling symbol does not guarantee that the item can be recycled by your local recycling program. The numbers inside the recycling symbol, known as Resin Identification Codes (RIC), inform manufacturers of the type of plastic used but do not indicate whether the product can be recycled. Therefore, it is essential to understand the different types of plastic resins and their recyclability to make informed choices when purchasing plastic products and properly sort them for recycling.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic resins and their identification codes
Plastic products are often imprinted with a number enclosed within a triangle or a set of "chasing arrows". This is known as a Resin Identification Code (RIC), and it indicates the type of resin used to manufacture the plastic product. RICs were introduced in 1988 by the US Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) to facilitate the recycling of post-consumer plastics.
The numbers within the RICs correspond to different types of plastic resins. For example, the number 1 is assigned to polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET or PETE plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles, food containers, and clothing fibre. Number 2 plastic is high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is used in household cleaners, shampoo bottles, and yogurt containers. Number 3 plastic is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is dangerous and difficult to recycle. PVC is found in items such as shower curtains, cleaner bottles, and food wrap.
The RIC system has been updated over the years, and the current standard is a solid triangle enclosing the number, rather than the previous "chasing arrows" symbol. It's important to note that the presence of an RIC on a plastic product does not necessarily indicate that it is recyclable. The recyclability of a plastic product depends on the capabilities of local recycling facilities, and consumers are encouraged to check with their local municipalities to confirm which plastic materials can be recycled in their community.
The RIC system has also been the subject of consumer confusion, with some assuming that the presence of an RIC means the product is recyclable. To address this, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition in the United States has proposed a “How2Recycle” label that indicates the recyclability of a product based on the percentage of the US that can recycle it through a curbside program or municipal drop-off location.
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Plastic recycling symbols and their meanings
Plastic recycling symbols are tied to a resin identification code or, simply put, the type of plastic used in manufacture. These symbols are important as they provide information about the used resin and recyclability of the item. However, it is important to note that the presence of a plastic recycle code on an object does not necessarily mean that the item can be reprocessed. It just indicates the possibility of recycling.
Recycling symbols appear on many everyday items and help identify how different types of packaging can be recycled. The universal recycling symbol, which is easily recognised, has countless variations, with each ascribed to a specific material or type of material. For example, the chasing arrows symbol surrounding a number from 1 to 7 indicates the resin used, with each number representing a different type of plastic.
Plastic #1, or PET, is one of the most commonly used plastics and is found in beverage bottles, food jars and containers, and mouthwash bottles. It is usually clear in colour and is intended for single use. Plastic #3, or PVC, is one of the least recyclable plastics and is known to contain toxic chemicals. It can be found in items like shower curtains, cleaner bottles, and clear food wrap.
Other symbols may indicate that an object is capable of being recycled, but it may not be accepted by all recycling collection systems. For example, compostable plastic that carries the seedling symbol can be recycled with garden waste, but it should not be put in with other plastics as it is designed to break down and will contaminate them.
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Plastics that are safe for reuse
Most plastic items have a recycling symbol on them, which is a triangle made of arrows with a number from 1 to 7 inside it. This number indicates the type of plastic the material is made from and the potential harm of the elements of different plastics.
Not all plastics are safe to reuse, and it is important to understand the potential harm of the elements of different plastics. For example, plastic #1, or PET, is one of the most commonly used plastics and is safe for food and drink packaging, but it is not intended for multiple uses. Plastic #3, or PVC, is dangerous and one of the least recyclable plastics. It is widely spread and can be found in shower curtains, cleaner bottles, pipes, cooking oil bottles, window and door frames, floors, and clear food wrap. The manufacture of PVC creates dioxin, a potentially harmful carcinogen, so it is best to avoid it when it comes to food packaging applications.
Some safer plastics that can be reused include High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), and Polypropylene (PP). HDPE is commonly used in food packaging for large bottles, such as milk or juice bottles, and yogurt and margarine tubs. LDPE is often found in wrappers or bags and is generally considered safe for use in food packaging. PP is a versatile material that can be reused whenever possible and is often used in applications such as yogurt cups, margarine, or hot food containers. It has a high heat tolerance, making it ideal for packaging soups or foods that require microwaving.
It is important to note that the cleaning process can weaken plastic and release unwanted chemicals, so consumers should be cautious when reusing plastic packaging for food storage, even if it is made from a safer plastic.
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Plastics that are hard to recycle
Plastic items often have a recycling symbol on them, which is a triangle of chasing arrows with a number from 1 to 7 inside. These numbers indicate what type of plastic the material is made from. However, it is important to note that the presence of a recycling symbol does not always mean that the item can be recycled. The recyclability of plastic types depends on various factors, including the way they are made and the availability of recycling programs in specific locations.
Some types of plastic are particularly challenging to recycle. For example, plastic number 3, or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), is considered one of the least recyclable plastics due to the presence of toxic chemicals such as phthalates and DEHA. These chemicals can cause endocrine disruption and developmental issues in children, and they do not degrade easily, making them harmful to the environment.
Another type of plastic that is difficult to recycle is polypropylene (PP). Polypropylene recycling is costly, and the recycled product often retains the smell of its previous contents, making it unsuitable for certain applications. Additionally, the recycled PP tends to be black or grey, limiting its use in packaging.
Low-density plastics, such as those used in electronic equipment, glasses frames, and plastic brick toys, are also challenging to recycle. The recycling process for these items requires specialized facilities and methods, such as chemical recycling, which can result in reduced material resilience.
Bioplastics, composite plastics, plastic-coated wrapping paper, and polycarbonate are also mentioned as examples of non-recyclable plastics. The recyclability of plastic is a complex issue influenced by economic, environmental, and technical factors. While recycling technologies are constantly evolving, the majority of plastics that have ever been produced have not been recycled, highlighting the need for improved recycling practices and the reduction of single-use plastics.
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How to recycle polystyrene
Polystyrene, or Styrofoam, is a type of plastic that is difficult to recycle effectively. Its lightweight and bulky properties make it hard to collect and transport, and it often ends up as litter. Many municipal recycling programs do not accept polystyrene, and it usually needs to be taken to a centralized plant for recycling, which increases costs.
To recycle polystyrene, it needs to be cleaned, shredded, melted into a paste, and then turned into pellets, which can be used to create new products. This process is energy-intensive and often not cost-effective, so many recycling facilities do not have the equipment to recycle polystyrene. However, there are some locations that do recycle polystyrene, and some shipping stores will take back packing peanuts for reuse.
One way to recycle polystyrene is through chemical recycling, which breaks down the polystyrene at a chemical level. This process is still fairly new and uncommon, but it can accept polystyrene that is dirty, such as food packaging.
Another way to recycle polystyrene is to reuse it. This method works well for packaging materials, such as packing peanuts, which can be collected and used again.
Some local governments and recycling companies have drop-off locations specifically for polystyrene packaging, and some programs may accept it at special events. It is important to check with your local government or recycling facility to see if they accept polystyrene and to avoid contaminating your recycling with materials that don't belong.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic #1, or PETE/PET, is considered safe for food and drinks. It is also one of the most commonly used plastics and is found in water and beverage bottles, food jars and containers, salad dressing and oil bottles, and mouthwash bottles.
Plastic #3, or PVC, should be avoided for children's toys as it contains harmful chemicals that can affect children's development, immune and endocrine systems, and can cause cancer.
The number inside the recycling symbol, known as the Resin Identification Code (RIC), indicates the type of plastic the material is made from. It does not indicate whether the product is recyclable.
Plastic #7 is used for products made from multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that are difficult to recycle. This includes electronic equipment, glasses frames, and plastic brick toys.
