Sofia Martinez
Plastic recycling is a complex process. Most plastic products or packages have a small symbol imprinted on them, usually encircled by a number from 1 to 7. These plastic recycling symbols, also known as resin identification codes, help us identify the type of plastic the product is made from. However, it is important to note that the presence of these symbols does not necessarily indicate that the product is recyclable. The recyclability of a product depends on various factors, including the local municipality's guidelines and the availability of specialised handling for hard-to-recycle plastics. Understanding these plastic recycling numbers is crucial to properly sorting and recycling plastic waste, reducing its harmful impact on the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the code | Resin identification code |
| What it indicates | The type of plastic |
| Recyclability | Does not indicate recyclability |
| Numbers | 1 to 7 |
| Plastic numbered 1 | PETE or PET |
| Plastic numbered 2 | HDPE |
| Plastic numbered 3 | PVC |
| Plastic numbered 4 | LDPE |
| Plastic numbered 5 | PP |
| Plastic numbered 6 | PS |
| Plastic numbered 7 | Other |
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What You'll Learn
The recycling symbol on plastic does not mean it is recyclable
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This is officially known as a "resin identification code", and it simply indicates what type of plastic the material is made from. In other words, the number inside the triangle is what counts, because each number corresponds to a different type of plastic.
The presence of a resin code does not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled. For example, plastics #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7 are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected in local recycling programs. Even if plastic can be recycled, these numbers do not automatically mean they are accepted in your local recycling program. Accepted materials in recycling programs vary from city to city, and some types of plastic require specialized handling. For instance, LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is a flexible plastic that has historically not been accepted through most American recycling programs, but more and more communities are starting to accept it. Similarly, PVC is rarely recycled and not usually part of a curbside recycling program. In rare instances, it can be recycled for speed bumps, roadway gutters, and cables.
The recycling process for different types of plastics also varies. Different plastics have varying processing needs, such as different melting temperatures, and they are ultimately recycled into different products. For example, the recycling process for PP involves five steps: collection, sorting, cleaning, reprocessing by melting, and producing new products from recycled PP. The melting process involves two steps: melting PP at nearly 250°C to get rid of contaminant molecules, and removing residual molecules under vacuum and solidification at 140°C.
Therefore, it is important to check with your local municipality about which materials are recyclable and which are not, and to check in frequently as the rules are subject to change.
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Plastic recycling numbers are resin identification codes
Plastic recycling numbers, also known as resin identification codes, are symbols that indicate the type of plastic a product is made from. These symbols are usually a number from 1 to 7 enclosed within a small triangle made of arrows, also known as the "chasing arrows" symbol. It is important to note that the presence of these codes does not necessarily indicate that a product is recyclable.
The different numbers within the resin identification codes correspond to different types of plastic. For example, PET or PETE (#1) is used for bottles of soda, water, and other drinks, as well as cooking oil containers and food jars. This type of plastic is widely recycled and has one of the highest recycling market values. HDPE (#2) is another commonly recycled plastic that is accepted worldwide due to its ease of recycling and versatility. It is often used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and other similar products.
Other types of plastic, such as PVC (#3), LDPE (#4), PP (#5), and PS (#6), are more challenging to recycle and may not be accepted by all local recycling programs. For instance, PVC, a soft and flexible plastic, cannot be recycled, while LDPE and PP are sometimes recyclable. PS, often used for disposable cups and food containers, is rarely accepted due to its breakability.
Finally, the #7 plastic category is a catch-all for all other types of plastic that do not fall into the previous categories, including bioplastics. These plastics are rarely recycled as they are not a specific type, making it challenging to separate and process them. It is important to note that the recyclability of a product depends on the capabilities of local recycling facilities, and individuals should refer to their local municipality guidelines to understand what types of plastic they can recycle.
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PET or PETE is a commonly recycled plastic
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, it corresponds to a different type of plastic.
One of the most common types of plastic is PET or PETE, which is used to make bottles for soda, water, and other drinks. It is also used to make cooking oil containers, plastic peanut butter jars, and containers for other popular food items. PET/PETE products can be recycled and are known as plastic #1.
PET is short for polyethylene terephthalate, the chemical name for polyester. It is a durable, clear, non-reactive, and lightweight plastic. Its low melting temperature makes it easy and sustainable to turn PET packaging into more PET packaging in a closed loop. PET bottles are collected and taken to a recycling plant along with other recyclable materials. The various recyclable materials are separated, and non-plastic waste is removed. High-value recyclable plastics like PET are then separated using automatic systems or by hand to prevent contamination of the recycling process.
The recycling process involves melting the PET and forming it into pellets or flakes, which can then be used to create new products. Recycled PET is perfectly safe for use in food packaging and has been approved by agencies and governments across the world. It can also be drawn into thin yarns and fibres to make polyester fabric, which is popular for its quick-drying and wrinkle-resistant properties.
PET can be recycled through curbside recycling programs, local recycling centres, or bottle bill depots in countries and states with container deposit laws.
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HDPE is another commonly recycled plastic
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 indicate whether the product is recyclable or not, but rather, it tells you what kind of plastic the material is made from.
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is a versatile plastic with many uses, especially in packaging. It carries a low risk of leaching and is readily recyclable into many types of goods. HDPE is accepted worldwide because it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. Most recycling companies will collect HDPE material and take these to large facilities to be processed.
HDPE is often found in milk jugs, juice bottles, detergent and other household cleaner bottles, shampoo bottles, some trash bags and shopping bags, motor oil bottles, butter and yogurt tubs, and cereal box liners. HDPE can be picked up through most curbside recycling programs. However, it is important to check with your local municipality about which materials are acceptable for recycling, as this can vary between different areas.
HDPE film must be separated from LDPE film for recycling. LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is a flexible plastic that has historically not been accepted through most American recycling programs, but more and more communities are starting to accept it. It is often found in grocery bags, bread bags, and other plastic wrappings.
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LDPE, PP, and PS plastics are sometimes recycled
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. LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene), and PS (Polystyrene) plastics are typically labelled as number 4, although they can sometimes be unlabelled. These plastics are sometimes recycled, but it is not always easy to do so.
LDPE is used in the creation of many common products, including plastic wrappings, grocery bags, and bags for bread and newspapers. It is not widely recycled, and most LDPE products end up in landfills. LDPE is difficult to recycle because it can tangle in recycling machinery, requiring workers to stop the machines and remove the plastic by hand. This is time-consuming and may cause damage to equipment, making LDPE recycling unprofitable. However, some companies do recycle LDPE, and it can be used to create new products such as garbage cans and manufactured lumber.
PP is used to make food containers for products like yogurt, sour cream, and margarine, as well as straws, rope, carpet, and bottle caps. It is a highly recyclable material, and the process involves collecting, sorting, shredding, melting, and moulding the plastic into new products. Recycled PP is used to produce items such as plastic pallets, garden furniture, and storage bins. Despite this, PP is not always accepted for recycling and is considered a hard-to-recycle plastic due to its chemical structure.
PS is used to make Styrofoam products such as disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, coolers, and to-go food containers. Like LDPE and PP, PS can be recycled by specialised companies, but it is not always accepted in standard recycling bins.
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Frequently asked questions
The numbers 1 to 7 found on plastic items are resin identification codes that tell you what kind of plastic the material is made from.
No, the plastic recycling symbol does not indicate if a product can be recycled. The numbers help identify the type of plastic, and you need to check with your local municipality about which types can be recycled.
#1 PET/PETE or #2 HDPE plastics are the most commonly recycled plastics. They are used for soda bottles, food containers, and cleaning product containers. #3 to #7 plastics are tougher to recycle and are not universally accepted in local recycling programs.
#3 PVC is a soft, flexible plastic used for household products. #4 LDPE is used for plastic bags and wrappings. #5 PP is used for food containers and bottle caps. #6 PS is used for disposable cups and containers. #7 plastics include bioplastics and are rarely recycled.
Check with your local municipality or recycling facility to understand the accepted types of plastic for recycling. Rinse or wipe off any leftover food or residue from plastic items before placing them in the recycling bin to avoid contaminating other recyclables.
