Ethan Clarke
Plastic recycling codes are numbers between one and seven, enclosed by a small triangle made of arrows, that indicate the type of plastic and whether it can be recycled. These codes are important because they help consumers distinguish between plastics that are safer to use than others, and they help determine the recyclability of a product. For example, plastics with the number 1 are widely recycled and are often used for food containers, while plastics with the number 7 are a catch-all for all other types of plastics that don't fall into the other categories and are rarely recycled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of codes | 7 |
| Code 1 | PET or PETE/PETG, used for soft drink bottles, water containers, and food containers |
| Code 2 | HDPE, used for plastic containers, pipes, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, etc. |
| Code 3 | PVC, a soft and flexible plastic used for sewage pipes, synthetic window frames, and household products |
| Code 4 | LDPE, used for soft plastics like cling film, plastic bags, and dry cleaner covers |
| Code 5 | PP, used for food containers, straws, rope, carpet, and bottle tops |
| Code 6 | PS or styrene plastic/polystyrene, used for disposable cups, meat trays, packing peanuts, and electronics packaging |
| Code 7 | A catch-all for other types of plastics, including bioplastics, polycarbonate, and poly lactic acid (PLA) |
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What You'll Learn
- PET/PETE plastic is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world
- HDPE is another commonly recycled plastic, used for cleaning and personal care products
- LDPE is a soft plastic used for cling film, dry cleaning bags, and carry bags
- PP is used for food containers, bottle tops, and straws
- PS is polystyrene, used for disposable cups and trays
PET/PETE plastic is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world
PET/PETE, or Polyethylene Terephthalate, is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world. It is a strong, lightweight, and durable plastic that is used for bottling and
PET is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world due to its ability to be recycled into its original uses. It can be recycled through various methods, including melt reprocessing or molecule breakdown, and turned into new products. The ideal scenario is that recycled PET packaging is remade into new PET packaging, creating a more sustainable future. If this is not possible due to government regulations or the quality of the recycled material, it can be turned into fibre for clothing or automotive products such as car interiors and seatbelts.
The recycling process for PET is straightforward and can often be done onshore. Clear PET has one of the highest recycling market values as it can be turned into products of similar quality and form. Recycling PET reduces the environmental impact of plastic production, lowering total energy consumption by 79% and limiting greenhouse gas emissions by 67% when used to make new bottles.
PET is also valuable because it requires lower temperatures for production and recycling compared to other materials like aluminium and glass. For example, aluminium must be heated to over 1000°C to make cans, while PET only needs around 260°C to be made into bottles. This makes PET a more energy-efficient option with lower emissions.
In addition to its recyclability, PET is also sought after for its lightweight nature, which results in lower transport emissions compared to heavier materials like glass and cardboard. Overall, PET/PETE plastic is a highly recyclable material that plays a crucial role in reducing our plastic footprint and promoting a more sustainable future.
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HDPE is another commonly recycled plastic, used for cleaning and personal care products
Plastic recycling codes are stamps on plastic products that indicate their recyclability. They are often very small, difficult to find, and hard to read. There are seven different plastic codes, with Code 7 being a residual category that includes bioplastics and is rarely recycled.
HDPE, or High-Density Polyethylene, is one of the few plastics with a high likelihood of an onshore recycling centre. It is a strong, durable, hard plastic that can withstand most solvents. Because of these qualities, it is most commonly used for cleaning and personal care products, as well as milk bottles. It is also used for plastic containers and pipes.
HDPE is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world. It can be recycled more times than many other types of plastics. A 2018 study by ESE World B.V. found that non-contaminated HDPE can be recycled up to 10 times. This makes it important to rinse and clean your recyclables before putting them in the bin.
To dispose of HDPE plastic products at home, you can usually throw them into your household recycling bin, but it is important to check if your local authority accepts HDPE. Businesses can store all HDPE together with other plastic waste, as it is separated before recycling. HDPE waste is collected and transported to a recycling centre, where it is sorted, cleaned, and separated from other polymers.
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LDPE is a soft plastic used for cling film, dry cleaning bags, and carry bags
Plastic recycling codes are symbols used to identify the type of plastic and its recyclability. The seven plastic codes are known as Plastic Resin Identification Codes (RIC) or simply Recycling Codes. They are usually stamped on plastic products, though they can be hard to find and read. LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a type of soft, flexible plastic that falls under Recycling Code 4. LDPE is used for cling film, dry cleaning bags, and carry bags. It is also used for grocery bags, newspaper bags, and to package bread loaves, fresh produce, and other foods.
LDPE products can sometimes be recycled, but they are not always accepted by local recycling programs. Some communities are starting to accept LDPE for recycling, but it is important to check your local guidelines. LDPE should not be put into standard recycling bins as it can get tangled in the equipment at recycling facilities. Instead, grocery stores often collect these bags for proper recycling.
LDPE is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world, along with PET (Code 1) and HDPE (Code 2). PET is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages, and it has a high recycling market value. HDPE is a durable, hard plastic used for cleaning and personal care products, and it can be recycled up to 10 times.
Other Recycling Codes include PVC (Code 3), PS (Code 6), and Code 7, which is a miscellaneous category for plastics that don't fall into the other categories. PVC and PS can rarely be recycled, and Code 7 plastics are almost never recycled as they are not one specific type.
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PP is used for food containers, bottle tops, and straws
Polypropylene (PP) is a plastic that is used in a wide range of products, including food containers, bottle tops, and straws. PP is identified by the number 5 surrounded by a triangle or the chasing arrows symbol. It is one of the most common plastics and is known for its lightweight yet durable properties.
PP is commonly used for food containers such as yogurt, cream cheese, butter, margarine, and syrup bottles. Its high heat tolerance makes it suitable for packaging food that can be heated in a microwave. PP is also used for more flexible packaging, such as chip packets, biscuit packets, and cereal box liners.
Bottle tops made of PP are widely used, and while they cannot always be recycled in curbside recycling bins, some specialist recyclers do accept them. PP is a popular choice for bottle tops due to its ability to withstand rough treatment while maintaining its shape.
PP is also used for straws, although reusable straw alternatives are recommended to reduce plastic consumption. PP straws are recyclable through some curbside recycling programs, but only a small percentage of PP products are currently being recycled.
Overall, PP is a versatile plastic that is widely used in the food and beverage industry due to its durability, flexibility, and heat resistance. While it is recyclable, it is important to check local rules and regulations for proper disposal and recycling methods.
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PS is polystyrene, used for disposable cups and trays
Plastic recycling codes are an important way to decipher if a product is recyclable and help consumers make informed choices. PS, or polystyrene, is a type of plastic with the recycling code 6. It is a problematic form of plastic that is often used for disposable cups and trays, as well as food packaging and electronics.
Polystyrene is a lightweight and inexpensive plastic that has been widely used for disposable cups and trays in the food industry, especially in fast food. It is often chosen for its ability to insulate and protect food and drinks. However, polystyrene is difficult to recycle and has been classified as hazardous by some scientists. When polystyrene breaks down, it can release toxic chemicals and harm wildlife and the ecosystem.
Due to these concerns, some places, such as certain states in the US, have moved to prohibit the use of polystyrene. Companies like Nestlé have also recognised the challenges of recycling polystyrene. While recycled polystyrene cannot be used for its original purpose, it does have limited use in manufacturing insulation and other industrial applications.
It is important for consumers to be aware of the plastic recycling codes and make informed choices. Consumers are encouraged to seek out alternatives to polystyrene, such as PET food packaging and paper-based packaging, whenever possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic recycling codes are symbols that indicate the type of plastic and whether it can be recycled.
The seven different types of plastic recycling codes are PET/PETE or PETG (1), HDPE (2), PVC (3), LDPE (4), PP (5), PS (6), and OTHER (7).
PET/PETE or PETG (1) stands for polyethylene terephthalate, which is used for bottles of soft drinks, water, and other drinks. HDPE (2) stands for high-density polyethylene, which is commonly used for containers like milk jugs and shampoo bottles. PVC (3) is a soft, flexible plastic used for household products like pipes. LDPE (4) is a soft plastic used for cling film and plastic bags. PP (5) is used for food containers, straws, and bottle caps. PS (6) stands for polystyrene, which is used for disposable cups and meat trays. OTHER (7) includes plastics that don't fall into the other categories, such as bioplastics and polycarbonate.
No, not all plastic recycling codes are recyclable. While some plastics like PET/PETE, HDPE, and PP are widely recycled, others like PVC, PS, and plastics under the OTHER category are more difficult to recycle and may not be accepted by all recycling programs.
To determine the plastic recycling code, look for the "chasing arrows" symbol on the product, which is usually a triangle made of arrows with a number inside. This number indicates the type of plastic. However, the presence of the symbol doesn't always mean the product can be recycled, as it depends on the local recycling capabilities and guidelines.
