Omar Khalid
The numbers on recycled plastics, known as resin identification codes, indicate the type of plastic the material is made from. These codes were introduced by the US Society of Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) in 1988. The numbers range from 1 to 7, with plastics labelled with a number 1 being about 20.9% likely to be reprocessed, according to Greenpeace. Plastics numbered 3 through 7 have a reprocessing rate of less than 5%. The numbers are often found inside a small triangle made of arrows, also known as the chasing arrows symbol.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of plastic types | 7 |
| Plastic numbered 1 | PET or PETE, polyethylene terephthalate |
| Plastic numbered 2 | HDPE, high-density polyethylene |
| Plastic numbered 3 | PVC, polyvinyl chloride |
| Plastic numbered 4 | LDPE, low-density polyethylene |
| Plastic numbered 5 | PP, polypropylene |
| Plastic numbered 6 | PS, polystyrene |
| Plastic numbered 7 | Mixture of various types of plastics |
| Plastic numbered 1 reprocessing rate | 20.9% |
| Plastic numbered 3-7 reprocessing rate | less than 5% |
| Plastic numbered 1 and 2 recycling | Accepted by most recyclers |
| Plastic numbered 3 recycling | Not recyclable in normal collections |
| Plastic numbered 4 recycling | Technically recyclable but not profitable |
| Plastic numbered 5 recycling | Recyclable but not accepted by many recyclers |
| Plastic numbered 6 recycling | Not recyclable, should be thrown in the garbage |
| Plastic numbered 7 recycling | Not recyclable |
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What You'll Learn
#1 and #2 plastics are the most commonly recycled
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. The numbers identify the type of resin used to produce the plastic, and they're important when the materials get recycled.
#1 plastics are made from PET or PETE, which is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. It's also used to make cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and containers for other popular food items. #2 plastics are made from HDPE, which is used to make milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and cleaning product containers.
Other types of plastic are harder to recycle and may not be permitted in your bin, depending on your municipality's guidelines. For example, plastic bags and other soft plastics like LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, are often collected separately from plastics labeled #1 and #2. Hard-to-recycle plastics, including Styrofoam, shrink wrap, and manufacturing scrap, require specialized handling.
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#3, #4, #5, #6 and #7 are harder to recycle
The numbers on recycled plastics, also known as resin codes, indicate the type of resin used to produce the plastic. These numbers range from 1 to 7 and are found within a small triangle made of arrows. While the presence of a resin code does not necessarily indicate recyclability, the numbers help identify the type of plastic and its potential for being recycled.
Plastics numbered 3 through 7 have a reprocessing rate of less than 5%, according to a Greenpeace report. #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7 plastics are harder to recycle due to various reasons, including low recovery rates, toxicity, and a lack of viable end markets.
#3 plastics, while recyclable, are not widely recycled due to their low recovery rate. They are often used in the production of vinyl siding, window frames, and shower curtains. #4 plastics, such as LDPE or low-density polyethylene, are used in bread bags, bubble wrap, and cling wrap. These plastics are often collected separately from #1 and #2 plastics and may not be accepted in standard recycling bins.
#5 plastics, or polypropylene (PP), are used in yogurt containers and other dairy product tubs. While PP can sometimes be recycled, many recyclers still do not accept it. #6 plastics are polystyrene (PS) or Styrofoam, commonly used for disposable coffee cups, takeaway containers, and packing peanuts. Polystyrene is one of the most toxic plastics and is not generally recyclable, accounting for about 35% of US landfill material. It is also linked to human health and reproductive system issues.
#7 plastics are a mixture of various types of plastics that cannot be easily recycled. They are often made from multiple plastic types, and their chemical compounds can be harmful. Due to their complex nature, #7 plastics are assumed to be non-recyclable and non-reusable.
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Plastic #7 is often made from multiple plastic types
Plastic products are often stamped with a number, known as a resin code, which indicates the type of plastic used to make the product. These numbers range from 1 to 7 and correspond to seven different types of plastics. Plastic #7 is often made from multiple plastic types or other types of plastic that are hard to recycle.
Plastics #1 and #2 are the most commonly recycled types of plastic. #1 plastic, or PET, is used for soda, water, and other drink bottles, as well as food containers. #2 plastic, or HDPE, is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and other similar products. These two types of plastic are considered safe and are accepted by most recycling programs.
Other types of plastic, such as #3, #6, and #7, are considered less safe and should be used with caution, especially around food and drink. #6 plastic, or polystyrene, is commonly used for disposable containers, cups, and packing materials. It is difficult to recycle and is known to leach potentially toxic chemicals when heated.
#7 plastic, which falls under the "other" or "mixed" category, includes any new plastics, bioplastics, and different types of plastics that do not fit into the first six categories. It is important to note that not all recycling programs accept #7 plastic, and it is generally recommended to avoid using it, especially for food-related purposes.
In summary, while plastic #7 is often made from multiple plastic types, it is important to be cautious when using and recycling this type of plastic due to its potential health and environmental risks.
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LDPE is labelled with the number 4 and can be recycled
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is labelled with the number 4 and can be recycled. LDPE is a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene, which is the same material used to make HDPE. LDPE is a useful material due to its durability, flexibility, and transparency. It does not release harmful chemicals, making it a safe choice for food storage.
LDPE is commonly used to make plastic bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, cling wrap, and grocery bags. It is also used in the automotive industry, where it is used to make the panels of a car's exterior due to its lightweight and easily mouldable properties.
Despite being technically recyclable, LDPE is a cheap and low-quality plastic, making its recycling financially unviable. Many municipalities do not accept LDPE in curbside recycling bins as it tends to tangle in recycling machinery, risking damage to the equipment. However, when recycled, LDPE can be transformed into bin liners and packaging films.
To recycle LDPE, it is best to check with your local recycling program. Some curbside recycling programs accept rigid LDPE bottles and containers, but not all locations do, and they may not accept flexible or soft plastics. In New York City, for example, large grocery stores are required to have a collection bin for these types of plastics, and they should not be collected in curbside recycling bins.
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PP is labelled with the number 5 and can be recycled
Plastic is everywhere, and while recycling is important, it can be a confusing process. The numbers on plastic items indicate the type of resin used to produce the plastic. Each number corresponds to a different type of plastic, and there are seven standard classifications for plastics.
Polypropylene (PP) is labelled with the number 5 and can sometimes be recycled. It is one of the most common plastics globally, but it is also one of the least recycled plastics. PP is used in food containers like yoghurt pots, syrup bottles, and tubs for sour cream and margarine. It is also used in bottle caps, straws, rope, carpet, and plant pots. It is lightweight and strong, with good protection from moisture and chemicals, and a high melting point. This makes it suitable for holding hot liquids and reheating food without melting.
Despite its recyclability, less than 1% of PP is recycled. When sent to landfills, it can take 20-30 years to decompose and may leach chemicals into the environment. However, recycled PP can be used to make new packaging, and a new recycling process can remove bad smells and chemicals from the material.
Curbside recycling programs often accept PP products, but it is important to check local rules as some areas may not accept it. Additionally, while rigid plastic products are generally accepted, flexible PP like bags or soft packaging is usually not permitted in recycling bins as they can cause issues in the recycling process.
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