Ethan Clarke
Plastics are everywhere, and while most people can identify plastic materials, many don't know the different types of plastics and how they differ. In 1988, the Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, which divided plastic resins into seven categories to help recycling plants sort materials. Each type of plastic has unique characteristics, uses, and environmental impacts, and they are identified by numbers 1 through 7, which are usually stamped on the product.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Number 1 | Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET) |
| Recyclable, but store in a cool environment and do not reuse | |
| Used in water and beverage bottles, food jars and containers, salad dressing and oil bottles, clothes fiber, mouthwash bottles | |
| Plastic Number 2 | HDPE |
| Recyclable in kerbside recycling bins | |
| Used in cloudy plastic milk bottles, bleach and laundry bottles, cosmetic bottles | |
| Plastic Number 3 | |
| Avoid, especially with food and drinks | |
| Plastic Number 4 | |
| Safe, but do not heat or put in the microwave | |
| Used in produce and grocery bags | |
| Plastic Number 5 | |
| Safe | |
| Plastic Number 6 | |
| Avoid, especially with food and drinks | |
| Plastic Number 7 | |
| Not widely recycled, often made of multiple plastic types |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic Number 1, or PETE, is used in soda bottles, tote bags, and furniture
- Number 2 plastic, or HDPE, is used in milk jugs, grocery bags, and shampoo bottles
- LDPE is Number 4 plastic, used in shopping bags, six-pack rings, and plastic wraps
- Polystyrene, or PS, is Number 6 plastic, used in CD cases, smoke detectors, and lab equipment
- Number 7 plastic is a miscellaneous category, including polycarbonate and bioplastic
Plastic Number 1, or PETE, is used in soda bottles, tote bags, and furniture
Plastic Number 1, also known as PETE or PET, is a commonly used plastic. It is identified by a number 1 symbol inside a triangle of chasing arrows. This plastic is used in a wide range of applications, including soda bottles, tote bags, furniture, paneling, and carpeting. It is also used in clothing fibres, with most PET in the world found in clothing. The fabric known as polyester is the same material used in plastic bottles.
PETE is a thermoplastic polymer, or, more specifically, polyethylene terephthalate. This plastic has desirable properties, including its resistance to microorganisms, which makes it useful in many applications. However, this same property creates issues when PETE is not recycled, as it can take a long time for the plastic to degrade. PETE is a semi-porous material, absorbing the colour of the product within it. This is important to note when recycling, as most recycled PETE is used in the creation of lower-grade plastic products.
PETE is easy to recycle, and it is accepted at most recycling plants. The process involves shredding the plastic into tiny pallets, which are then reprocessed into new bottles. Recycled PETE bottles can also be turned into polyester fibre, which is used in clothing, carpets, sleeping bags, jackets, and pillows. PETE can be recycled through many curbside recycling programs, but it is important to check local guidelines, as different areas may have varying rules.
While PETE is a useful material, it is important to note that it should only be used once. Its porous structure requires strong cleaning products, which can cause carcinogens to leach. Heating PETE can also cause the leaching of toxic chemicals, such as antimony. Overall, while PETE is a versatile and recyclable plastic, it is crucial to handle and dispose of it properly to avoid potential health and environmental risks.
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Number 2 plastic, or HDPE, is used in milk jugs, grocery bags, and shampoo bottles
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number is a resin identification code, used to help recycling plants sort materials. It also helps recycling collectors determine what items they can accept and which ones go in the trash.
Number 2 plastic, or HDPE (high-density polyethylene), is one of the safest sorts of plastic. It is stiff, durable, strong, and has good chemical resistance, meaning it will not react with foods, beverages, or household chemicals. It is lightweight and easily moulded into any shape. HDPE is hard-wearing and does not break down under exposure to sunlight. It can withstand more extreme temperatures than PET, both hot and cold. It can be reused and recycled.
HDPE is commonly used to create milk jugs, grocery bags, shampoo bottles, plastic shopping bags, cleaning supply bottles, detergent bottles, household cleaner containers, and playground equipment. It is even used in the recycling bins that end up being filled with other plastic products.
To recycle HDPE, look for the plastic number 2 code on the item, usually on the bottom. Clean excess food or drain out any liquid. Place the item in your curbside recycling bin or take it to a container deposit depot. It's important not to put plastic bags or any soft HDPE plastics into your curbside recycling bin. Instead, collect your plastic bags and soft plastics, make sure all food scraps are removed and the plastic is dry, and take them to your local drop-off centre.
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LDPE is Number 4 plastic, used in shopping bags, six-pack rings, and plastic wraps
Plastics are everywhere, from shopping bags to car parts. However, not all plastics are created equal. Some are easily recyclable, while others are not. To help with this issue, plastics are often labelled with numbers, from 1 to 7, to indicate their type and how they should be recycled. LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is one such plastic, denoted by the number 4 inside a triangle of arrows.
LDPE is a highly versatile and flexible plastic with a wide range of applications. Its unique characteristics make it ideal for various industries, including packaging. LDPE is commonly used for shopping bags, plastic wraps, and six-pack rings due to its low density and high strength. It can be formed into very thin sheets that can support heavy weights, making it perfect for these applications.
LDPE is also used in food packaging and wrapping, as it is a high-clarity material that keeps products fresh and in place. It is often used for wrapping food products like bread, meat, and poultry. LDPE is also odourless, transparent, and pliable, making it a popular choice for food packaging.
Additionally, LDPE is 100% recyclable, which is an attractive feature for high-volume applications. It is also used in plastic cups, trays, cling wrap bags, tubing for prostheses, and juice containers. Its ease of recycling and low price make it a desirable option for many industries. LDPE is a thermoplastic polymer with the chemical formula (C2H4)n.
LDPE is a safe plastic, posing no threat to human health, even if swallowed in trace amounts. However, it is important to note that dangerous chemicals may mix with LDPE during the production process.
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Polystyrene, or PS, is Number 6 plastic, used in CD cases, smoke detectors, and lab equipment
Polystyrene, also known as PS, is a versatile plastic that is commonly recognised as the white foam blocks used for packaging. It is identified as Number 6 plastic, featuring the number '6' inside the chasing arrows symbol. Polystyrene is lightweight, rigid, versatile, and inexpensive, which makes it ideal for a wide range of applications.
Polystyrene is a thermoplastic polymer synthesized from styrene monomers. It has a unique molecular structure that increases its rigidity, making it a non-crystalline linear polymer. This structure also gives it a high glass transition temperature, resulting in transparency and hardness at room temperature. Polystyrene can be processed into various products using methods such as injection moulding, extrusion moulding, and foam moulding.
Polystyrene is commonly used in CD cases, smoke detectors, license plate frames, and laboratory equipment. It is also found in insulation, takeaway food packaging, and toys. One of its most recognisable forms is as white foam blocks or "peanuts" used for packaging. Polystyrene is further categorised into four types: General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS), High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), and Syndiotactic Polystyrene (SPS).
While polystyrene can be recycled, it is important to minimise its use due to potential environmental and health concerns. Polystyrene can lead to "white pollution" in areas with undeveloped recycling systems, and its manufacturing process may involve the use of harmful chemicals. Additionally, polystyrene can undergo thermal decomposition at high temperatures, releasing harmful gases. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce, reuse, recycle, and rebuy recycled products whenever possible to minimise the negative impact of polystyrene on the environment and human health.
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Number 7 plastic is a miscellaneous category, including polycarbonate and bioplastic
Number 7 plastic is a miscellaneous category that includes all types of plastics that do not fit into the first six categories. Polycarbonate (PC) is the most common plastic in this category, although its usage has decreased in recent years due to its association with bisphenol A (BPA). BPA has been linked to various health issues, including chromosome damage in female ovaries, decreased sperm production in males, early onset of puberty, and behavioural changes. As a result, several countries have banned the use of PC in baby bottles and infant formula packaging.
Polycarbonate is a strong and impact-resistant plastic used in various applications, such as eyeglasses, safety glasses, electronic components, and bulletproof glass. It is also used in oven-baking bags, large 3-5 gallon jugs for water coolers, and compact discs (CDs). Polycarbonate is known for its high impact resistance and is often chosen for safety applications.
Another type of plastic in the number 7 category is polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), a glycol-modified version of PET that is more flexible and less brittle. PETG is commonly used in 3D printing and the manufacture of medical devices.
Number 7 plastic also includes bioplastics and other resins with unique properties. These plastics may be more rigid or less flexible and are used in a wide range of applications, including consumer goods, automotive parts, and industrial equipment. The environmental and health impacts of these plastics vary, with some found to leach chemicals and contribute to pollution and waste due to recycling challenges.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic codes 1 through 7 are resin identification codes (RIC) that identify the type of plastic and whether it can be recycled. They were introduced by the Society of the Plastics Industry in 1988 to "provide a consistent national system to facilitate recycling of post-consumer plastics."
Plastic code 1, or PETE, represents polyethylene terephthalate and is often used in soda bottles, plastic bags, and carpeting. It is semi-porous and can be recycled through most curbside programs. Plastic code 2, or HDPE, stands for high-density polyethylene and is used in milk jugs, grocery bags, and shampoo bottles. It is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centers worldwide.
Plastic code 7 represents "other" or "miscellaneous" plastics that don't fit into the first six categories. It includes a wide range of plastics, such as polycarbonate in CDs, ABS in Lego blocks, and biodegradable plastics like PLA. While some plastics in this category can be recycled, they often require specialist recyclers rather than curbside pickup.
