Chloe Zhang
You've probably seen the numbers imprinted inside the recycling symbol on plastic products. These numbers, ranging from one to seven, are called resin identification codes and indicate the type of plastic the product is made from. Plastics with codes one (PETE) and two (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled, while plastics with codes three, four, five, six, and seven are harder to recycle and may not be accepted by local recycling programs. For example, plastic water bottles with a three or a five cannot be recycled in most US jurisdictions because they are made from polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene, respectively, which are not widely accepted by public recycling centers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of plastics | 7 |
| Plastic #1 | PETE or PET plastic |
| Plastic #2 | HDPE plastic |
| Plastic #3 | PVC plastic |
| Plastic #4 | Used in bags |
| Plastic #5 | PP or polypropylene plastic |
| Plastic #6 | PS or polystyrene plastic |
| Plastic #7 | Polycarbonate plastic |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic #1 is PETE/PET, used for water bottles, food jars, and containers
- Plastic #2 is HDPE, one of the safest plastics, widely recycled
- Plastic #3 is PVC, a dangerous and difficult-to-recycle plastic
- Plastic #6 is polystyrene, lightweight, and hard to recycle
- Plastic #7 is used for baby bottles, sippy cups, and contains BPA
Plastic #1 is PETE/PET, used for water bottles, food jars, and containers
Plastic #1, also known as PETE or PET, is one of the most commonly used plastics worldwide. It is a clear, lightweight, strong, and flexible material with good barrier properties, making it ideal for various applications.
PETE/PET plastic is widely used in the creation of water bottles, food jars, and containers. Its transparency and lightweight nature make it a popular choice for beverage companies and consumers alike. In addition to water bottles, PETE/PET is used for soft drinks, juices, and other beverages. The plastic is also moulded into different shapes, allowing brands to build their identity and promote their drinks.
PETE/PET plastic is not limited to the beverage industry. It is also commonly used for food containers, such as cooking oil bottles, peanut butter jars, and packaging for other popular food items. This versatility makes it a popular choice for manufacturers and retailers.
While PETE/PET plastic is widely recycled, it is important to note that not all recycling programs accept this type of plastic. The recycling symbol for PETE/PET plastic is a triangle with the number "1" inside, often found on the bottom of containers. Recycling this plastic is straightforward, and it can be processed into new products, reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Overall, Plastic #1, PETE/PET, is a versatile and commonly used plastic that plays a significant role in the packaging industry, especially for water bottles, food jars, and containers. Its lightweight, strong, and flexible nature, coupled with its recyclability, makes it a popular choice for many applications.
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Plastic #2 is HDPE, one of the safest plastics, widely recycled
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin identification code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number does not necessarily indicate that the product can be recycled but rather, shows what type of plastic the material is made of.
Plastic #2 is HDPE (high-density polyethylene), one of the safest plastics and one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. It is widely recycled and accepted at most recycling plants and centres. HDPE is hard-wearing and robust, withstanding extreme temperatures and sunlight exposure. It has a high strength-to-density ratio, resulting in superb wear resistance. It is also lightweight and easily moulded into different shapes. All these qualities make it ideal for various applications, including electrical insulation, automotive parts, and pipes.
HDPE is used to make many plastic bags, bottles, and containers for non-food items such as shampoo, soaps, and cleaners. It is also used for food packaging, including bottled milk, water, juice, and yogurt cups. Clear containers made from HDPE #2 plastic are recycled back into new containers, while coloured HDPE #2 is turned into other items such as pipes, toys, and pens.
While HDPE is considered one of the safer plastics, it is important to note that all plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged. Therefore, it is recommended to minimise the use of HDPE and opt for alternative materials like metal and glass where possible. Reusable grocery bags made of HDPE should be reused as much as possible and recycled when no longer needed.
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Plastic #3 is PVC, a dangerous and difficult-to-recycle plastic
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin identification code, also known as a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. These numbers indicate the type of plastic the material is made from.
Plastic #3 is PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, a dangerous and difficult-to-recycle plastic. PVC is a soft, flexible plastic, so it is used for a wide array of household products and packaging. It is also durable, strong, and elastic due to softening chemicals, known as phthalates. However, these phthalates are known to cause problems with the hormonal system. PVC products can also produce other highly toxic chemicals, such as DEHA, during their lifecycle, which can affect children's development and the immune and endocrine systems, and cause cancer.
PVC is difficult to recycle because it is made from many different formulations composed of various additives, so it cannot easily be separated for recycling. When it is recycled, it is made into inferior, lower-quality products. Furthermore, a single PVC bottle can contaminate a batch of 100,000 recycled non-chlorinated bottles, making the entire batch unusable. As a result, many recycling facilities do not accept PVC.
PVC also poses health and environmental risks. The manufacturing of PVC creates dioxins, which are highly toxic byproducts composed partly of chlorine. Dioxins can lead to developmental and reproductive diseases, immune system damage, and cancer. Additionally, the production of PVC requires toxic chemicals such as vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and ethylene dichloride (EDC), which can poison surface water, groundwater, and air.
To reduce the consumption of PVC, it is recommended to avoid flexible plastics, choose products without the plastic #3 symbol, and select home renovation products that are vinyl-free. Reusing existing PVC products, such as old faux leather items or vinyl flooring, can also help reduce PVC consumption.
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Plastic #6 is polystyrene, lightweight, and hard to recycle
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin identification code, also known as a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. These numbers indicate the different types of plastic the product is made of.
Plastic #6, also known as polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam, is lightweight, rigid, versatile, and inexpensive. It is widely used in packaging and insulation, such as disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, and to-go food containers.
While some sources claim that plastic #6 cannot be recycled, others assert that it can be recycled but requires more effort and specialised handling. Home recycling programs typically do not accept it, so it must be taken to a specialist recycler. Polystyrene is difficult to recycle because it breaks up easily, spreading tiny pieces into the environment, where they can be ingested by animals. Additionally, polystyrene contains styrene, which can be leached when heated.
To recycle polystyrene, it must be cut into reasonably sized pieces, bagged, and taken to a specialist recycler. However, it is important to note that specialist recyclers usually only accept clean, white polystyrene that is free of any tape, plastic film, labels, loose parts, or glued-on cardboard. Given the challenges associated with recycling plastic #6, it is recommended to reduce, reuse, and rebuy recycled products whenever possible.
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Plastic #7 is used for baby bottles, sippy cups, and contains BPA
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic. For example, PET or PETE, denoted by the number 1, is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. HDPE, or plastic number 2, is another commonly recycled plastic with a high strength-to-density ratio, making it extremely durable and reliable.
PVC, or plastic number 3, is known to be dangerous and difficult to recycle. Plastic number 6, or polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam, is also challenging to recycle and should be avoided or reused due to its fragility and the presence of styrene, which can leach when heated.
Plastic #7 is used for products that are often made from multiple plastic types or other plastics that are challenging to recycle. This category includes baby bottles and sippy cups, which have historically been made with Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor that can mimic the female sex hormone, estradiol. Due to concerns about the potential health risks of BPA, including possible effects on brain development, early puberty, and behavioural problems, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned its use in baby bottles and children's cups in 2012.
While plastic products labelled as "BPA-free" are now widely available, concerns remain about the safety of plastic baby bottles and sippy cups. Some studies suggest that even BPA-free plastics may pose health risks to babies due to other hormone-like chemicals that can leach into food and drinks. As a result, alternatives such as glass baby bottles and stainless steel sippy cups are recommended when possible.
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