Ethan Clarke
IKEA's plastic containers are popular for their convenience and practicality. However, some users have noticed clock-like symbols, adhesive residue, and weird markings on their containers. These symbols typically indicate the mould used to form the container, the date it was manufactured, and the material source identifier. The adhesive residue is often left over from manufacturing or protective film during shipping, attracting dust and causing markings. Understanding these markings is essential for proper use and recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Clock-like symbols | Date manufactured, mould used, and material source |
| Triangular symbol with arrows | Recyclable |
| Resin Identification Code (RIC) | Type of plastic used |
| "BPA Free" label | Plastic packaging does not contain Bisphenol A (BPA) |
| "Food Grade Plastic" label | Safe for storing food and beverages |
| Adhesive residue | Left over from manufacturing or protective film during shipping |
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What You'll Learn
Date of manufacture
IKEA's plastic containers may feature various symbols, numeric codes, and labels that convey important information about the product. One of the markings you may find on IKEA plastic containers is a set of "clock-like" symbols or dials, which are usually located on the underside of the container. These dials indicate the date of manufacture of the container.
The top dial represents the year, the middle dial represents the month, and the bottom dial could indicate the mould used for production or, in some cases, the shift during which it was made. This dating system allows manufacturers to quickly identify which mould may require maintenance if a faulty product is found and facilitates batch tracking for quality control purposes.
In addition to these date markings, you may also find recycling symbols and Resin Identification Codes (RICs) on IKEA plastic containers. The RIC is a numeric code ranging from 1 to 7 found within the triangular recycling symbol, indicating the type of plastic used in the packaging. This classification system ensures the plastic is safe for its intended use and aids in efficient recycling processes.
IKEA also uses adhesive labels on their products, which can sometimes leave behind residue that attracts dust and results in discolouration or "weird markings." These labels are designed to be challenging to remove to prevent customers from switching labels in stores to cheat at self-checkout. However, some customers have expressed frustration over the difficulty of removing these labels, suggesting that water-soluble adhesives or printing barcodes directly on the packaging would be preferable.
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Recycling information
Plastic packaging is widely used, from storing meals to carrying food and drinks. However, not all plastic packaging is safe for food storage. Therefore, it is important to understand the symbols, numbers, and labels on plastic packaging.
IKEA plastic containers usually have a triangular symbol made of three arrows. This symbol signifies that the plastic can be recycled. When plastic packaging is no longer in use, it is advisable to recycle it to contribute to the creation of various items that use plastic as a raw material. This effort helps maintain cleanliness and environmental sustainability by reducing plastic waste.
In the centre of the recycling symbol, there is a Resin Identification Code (RIC) numeric code, ranging from 1 to 7, which indicates the type of plastic used in the packaging. This code helps classify the type of plastic for appropriate use and recycling processes. For example, the number "1" stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE/PET), and "2" stands for High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE/PEDH).
In addition to the recycling symbol and RIC numeric code, some plastic packaging includes various labels. For instance, the "BPA Free" label indicates that the plastic packaging does not contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical substance commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin coatings for rust-proof cans. Another label, "Food-Grade Plastic," signifies that the plastic packaging is safe for storing food and beverages.
Some IKEA plastic containers also have clock-like" symbols, which indicate the mould used to form the product. The top two dials indicate the year and month of manufacture, while the bottom dial could be a mould identifier or a shift indicator. The last dial, the material source identifier, traces the quality issue to the date and material source.
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Resin Identification Code
The clock-like symbols on IKEA plastic containers indicate the date and time the item was manufactured. The upper dial gives the year, the middle one the month, and the bottom indicator could be a mould identifier or shift indicator. The last dial is the material source identifier.
Now, onto the Resin Identification Code (RIC). The RIC is a set of symbols for plastic products that identify the resin. It was developed in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) in the United States. The RIC is part of the broader set of recycling codes. The symbol consists of an equilateral triangle, a Resin Identification Number, and an Abbreviated Term for polymeric material. The numbers range from 1 to 7, with 7 meaning 'other plastics'. The different types of plastic resins addressed include:
- Poly (ethylene terephthalate)
- High-density polyethylene
- Poly (vinyl chloride)
- Low-density polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- Polystyrene
The RIC is not a 'recycle code', but it does aid recycling. It is meant to identify the plastic resin used in a manufactured article. The use of the RIC on a manufactured plastic article does not imply that the article is recycled or that there are systems in place to effectively process the article for reclamation or reuse.
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Food-grade plastic
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for determining how materials may act when in contact with food and conducting research on the safety of different types of plastics. HDPE, LDPE, and PP plastics (resins #2, #4, and #5) are the most common and trusted FDA-approved options for food contact and storage. These plastics are known for their chemical-resistant properties and are safe for use in the microwave and dishwasher.
When choosing food-grade plastic, it is important to consider the presence of BPA or Bisphenol A, an industrial chemical commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Concerns have been raised about BPA potentially seeping into food and beverages and causing harmful health effects. However, the FDA continues to authorize its use, as it is generally safe at very low levels, and the human body can metabolize and expel the chemical quickly.
To identify food-grade plastic, look for the Resin Identification Code (RIC) or recycling symbol, usually located on the bottom of the plastic packaging. This code ranges from 1 to 7, with each number indicating the type of plastic and its safety for food storage. Codes 2, 4, and 5 are the safest for food storage, while codes 3 and 7 should be avoided as they may leak chemicals into the food.
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Adhesive labels
IKEA's use of adhesive labels on their products, including plastic containers, is a well-known practice. These labels typically contain important information that helps customers and retailers understand the product's specifications and usage. For instance, the labels might include manufacturing details such as the date and mould used, which can be useful for quality control and identifying potential issues.
Additionally, adhesive labels on IKEA plastic containers may feature recycling information, such as the triangular recycling symbol with arrows and the Resin Identification Code (RIC). The RIC is a numeric code ranging from 1 to 7 that classifies the type of plastic used, ensuring proper recycling and safe usage. Labels may also indicate specific attributes like "BPA Free" or "Food Grade Plastic" to assure customers that the product is safe for food storage.
While the presence of these labels is understandable, some IKEA customers have voiced their concerns about the challenges associated with removing them. In some cases, the labels are large and cover significant portions of the product, making them difficult to peel off without leaving behind adhesive residue. This residue can be tedious to clean and may require the use of a hairdryer, heat gun, or chemicals like hand sanitiser or rubbing alcohol for effective removal.
To address this issue, IKEA could consider using water-soluble adhesives, as suggested by some customers. This alternative would make the labels much easier to remove, reducing the time and effort required by customers. Additionally, printing barcodes directly on the packaging or using non-permanent markers on labels, as seen in their IKEA 365+ label range, could be potential solutions to minimise the hassle of label removal while still conveying necessary information.
In conclusion, adhesive labels on IKEA plastic containers serve a functional purpose by providing critical details about the product. However, improvements can be made in the form of more user-friendly adhesives or alternative methods of conveying information to enhance the customer experience and reduce the struggle associated with label removal.
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Frequently asked questions
These symbols indicate the date the item was manufactured, with the upper dial showing the year, the middle one showing the month, and the bottom indicator showing the mould identifier.
This is the recycling symbol, which signifies that the plastic can be recycled. Found in the centre of the symbol is a Resin Identification Code (RIC) numeric code, ranging from 1 to 7, which indicates the type of plastic used in the packaging.
This label indicates that the plastic packaging does not contain the chemical substance Bisphenol A (BPA), which is commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin coatings for rust-proof cans.
These marks are likely due to a fine adhesive residue left over from manufacturing or protective film during shipping, which causes dust to stick to the residue.
