Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere, and it's no secret that it's harmful to the environment. Recycling is a great way to prevent plastic from ending up in landfills and oceans, but it can be a complex process. One of the biggest barriers to effective plastic recycling is a lack of awareness about the seven plastic recycling symbols, which indicate the type of plastic and provide information about its recyclability. These symbols, which are often mistaken for indicators of recyclability, are actually resin identification codes. So, what does this mean for plastics without a number?
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What You'll Learn
Recycling symbols 1-7 indicate the type of plastic, not if it's recyclable
The recycling symbols 1-7, also known as the Mobius Symbol or the chasing arrows symbol, indicate the type of plastic and provide information on how to recycle an item. However, they do not signify if the plastic is recyclable or not. These symbols are officially called "Plastic Resin Identification Codes" or "resin identification codes". Each type of plastic has distinct recycling instructions, and the symbols guide consumers on how to properly recycle an item.
Symbol 1, with the acronym PETE or PET, represents polyethylene terephthalate. This type of plastic is commonly used for soft drink bottles, mineral water containers, fruit juice containers, and cooking oil containers. PET is lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to recycle. It is often part of curbside recycling programs and can be recycled into new products such as containers, carpet, and furniture.
Symbol 2, with the acronym HDPE, stands for high-density polyethylene. This plastic is widely used for containers, especially for items like milk, detergents, and washing soap due to its low weight and high strength. HDPE is one of the most widely accepted plastics in recycling programs and can be easily recycled into pipes, oil bottles, pens, and detergent bottles.
Symbol 3, represented by the letter "V", stands for PVC or polyvinyl chloride. PVC is a lightweight and rigid plastic used for bubble foils, trays for sweets and fruit, and expanded PVC foam boards. It is not commonly recycled through curbside programs but can be recycled into products like speed bumps, roadway gutters, and cables.
Symbol 4, LDPE, stands for low-density polyethylene. This plastic is commonly found in shopping bags, highly-resistant sacks, and crushed bottles. LDPE is not usually recycled through curbside programs but can be repurposed into floor tiles and shipping envelopes.
Symbol 5, PP, stands for polypropylene and is used for food containers, straws, rope, carpet, and bottle caps. PP products can sometimes be recycled.
Symbol 6, PS, stands for polystyrene and is used in toys, packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, jewellery, CD cases, and vending cups. Polystyrene is not always accepted in curbside recycling programs but can be recycled into new products such as egg cartons, takeout containers, and rulers.
Symbol 7, "OTHER", includes plastics such as acrylic, polycarbonate, polylactic fibres, nylon, and fibreglass. These plastics can sometimes be recycled, and it is important to confirm with local recycling programs.
It is important to note that the recyclability of a product depends on the local municipality's guidelines, and individuals should check their local rules to ensure proper recycling practices.
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LDPE plastic can sometimes be recycled
Plastic is everywhere, and it's no secret that it's harmful to the environment. Recycling is one way to prevent plastic from ending up in landfills and oceans, where it can harm wildlife and the environment. While almost all plastic can be recycled in theory, in practice, this is not always the case due to various barriers.
One type of plastic that can sometimes be recycled is LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene), also known as plastic-type #4. LDPE is commonly used in plastic shopping bags, bread bags, food wrappings, squeezable bottles, and container tops. It is also used for plastic wrappings and the bags that hold newspapers, sliced bread loaves, and fresh produce. LDPE is a versatile material, but it is not widely recycled. In 2015, only 6.2% of LDPE generated that year was recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
LDPE can be recycled and transformed into bin liners and packaging films. However, it is not always accepted by local recycling programs due to the risk of tangling in recycling machinery, which can endanger the entire recycling process and damage equipment. Additionally, LDPE is a cheap and low-quality plastic, making its recycling financially unviable. Many municipalities do not accept #4 plastic in curbside recycling bins, and it is often left out of standard recycling bins.
Despite these challenges, some grocery stores and businesses that provide LDPE bags offer collection bins for customers to return used bags for proper recycling. It's important to check with your local municipality to understand their specific recycling guidelines for LDPE and other plastics.
It's worth noting that other types of plastic, such as PET (or PETE), are more widely recycled. PET is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages, and it can be recycled into fashion items like polar fleece clothing, backpacks, and carpets. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) is another readily recyclable plastic used in milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent bottles, and some trash bags.
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HDPE is one of the easiest plastics to recycle
Plastic recycling is a complex process, and only a small percentage of plastic waste generated worldwide has ever been recycled. One of the barriers to recycling plastic is a lack of awareness of the seven plastic recycling symbols, which represent different types of plastic with distinct recycling instructions.
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is one of the easiest plastics to recycle. It is a versatile plastic with many uses, especially in packaging. It has a low risk of leaching and can be readily recycled into many types of goods. HDPE is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide. It is strong, lightweight, and flexible, and it is resistant to many chemicals, acids, and alcohols. This makes it ideal for bottles, bags, tanks, films, offcuts, and sheets. It is commonly used for milk and juice bottles, detergent bottles, and containers used in healthcare facilities and laboratories.
HDPE can be picked up through most curbside recycling programs, but it is important to check with local authorities and municipal guidelines to confirm if and how it is accepted. Some municipalities may require containers to be recycled with or without lids, and some items, like grocery bags, may not be accepted in curbside bins due to the risk of tangling in recycling equipment.
While HDPE is widely recycled, it also tends to be downcycled, meaning it is reused for lower-value products, such as plastic lumber, tables, roadside curbs, and benches. This is because the recycling process itself can shorten polymer chains, making the resulting material less strong and resilient. As a result, recycled HDPE must often be mixed with virgin material to meet performance standards, limiting the market demand for recycled content.
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PVC is dangerous and one of the least recyclable plastics
Plastics are labelled with numbers, ranging from one to seven, which are known as Plastic Resin Identification Codes. These numbers are used to help consumers and recycling companies identify the type of plastic and its distinct recycling instructions. Less than 10% of plastic waste generated worldwide has been recycled, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is one of the most common plastics manufactured globally. It is a soft, flexible plastic, used for a wide array of household products, including plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture. PVC is also used in flooring, shower curtains, tablecloths, and water pipes.
PVC is also difficult to recycle and often ends up in landfills and incinerators. It can interfere with the sorting process at recycling facilities, and recyclers, packagers, and major consumer brands have called for it to be phased out entirely. Small fragments of PVC, known as microplastics, can end up in lakes and oceans, releasing phthalates and other toxic additives, posing risks to fish and other wildlife. The mechanical grinding of PVC during recycling can also release microplastics into the air, which may be problematic for human health and ecosystems.
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Polycarbonate is difficult to recycle
Plastics are labelled with numbers, known as Plastic Resin Identification Codes, to help consumers and recyclers identify different types of plastics and their distinct recycling instructions. However, it is important to note that these codes only cover types 1 through 7.
Polycarbonate (PC) is a type of plastic that does not have a numbered recycling label. Despite this, polycarbonate is fully recyclable and reusable. Its durability and longevity make it a valuable material in applications where long lifespans are essential, such as in construction or electronics.
However, polycarbonate is not biodegradable, meaning it does not break down naturally over time. This is because it is a synthetic polymer composed of long, stable molecular chains that are resistant to natural decomposition processes. If not recycled or disposed of properly, polycarbonate can persist in landfills for hundreds of years, contributing to environmental pollution.
To recycle polycarbonate, it must be sorted, shredded, washed, and turned into granulates ready for manufacturers to use again. The usual process for consumers is to ensure the material is mostly clean, with any labels removed, and to break down larger sheets so they fit properly in the recycling bin. The colour of the recycling bin may vary depending on the location, but it is typically the brown or blue bin.
While polycarbonate can be recycled, it is important to check with local recycling centres or municipalities to ensure they are equipped to handle this material. Some areas may have specific requirements or limitations on recycling polycarbonate.
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Frequently asked questions
The numbers 1-7 inside the recycling symbol on plastic items indicate what type of plastic the material is made from.
The numbers do not indicate if the plastic is recyclable. However, plastics with numbers 1 and 2 are the most commonly recycled and can be tossed into standard recycling bins. Plastics with other numbers are generally tougher to recycle.
Plastic items with number 1 are known as PETE or PET and are commonly used for beverage bottles, food jars, and containers. Plastic items with number 2 are known as HDPE and are used for items like milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent bottles, and trash bags.
If a plastic item does not have a number, check your municipality's recycling guidelines for clarity on what is accepted for recycling.
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