Ethan Clarke
Have you ever wondered what the numbers on plastic products mean? These numbers are known as resin identification codes (RIC) and they indicate the type of plastic the product is made from. In 1988, the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) established a classification system to help consumers and recyclers properly dispose of and recycle the many different kinds of plastic based on their chemical makeup. However, the presence of a code on a plastic product does not necessarily indicate whether it is recyclable or not.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of plastic | PETE or PET (#1), HDPE (#2), LDPE, PVC, PP, PC |
| Recyclability | PETE/PET and HDPE are the most commonly recycled plastics; LDPE is difficult to recycle; PVC is recycled less frequently; PP is safe to reuse |
| Use cases | PET: water bottles; HDPE: milk jugs, toys, shampoo bottles; LDPE: soft plastic products, food use; PVC: plumbing pipes, pool toys, vinyl records; PP: takeaway containers |
| Other info | Numbers enclosed in triangles are known as Resin Identification Codes (RIC) or resin codes |
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What You'll Learn
The numbers indicate the type of plastic
The numbers on plastic items are not indicators of recyclability. They are resin identification codes that tell consumers what type of plastic an item is made of. This coding system was established by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) in 1988 to help consumers and recyclers properly dispose of and recycle different types of plastics based on their chemical makeup.
The numbers 1 to 7 are used to identify different types of plastics. Plastics with codes #1 (PETE or PET) or #2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics. PET is found in most water bottles and is not meant to be reused, but it is recyclable. However, only about 25% of PET bottles are recycled in the US. On the other hand, HDPE can be recycled up to 10 times and is accepted worldwide because it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. It is used to make a wide range of products, including milk jugs, toys, shampoo bottles, and plastic lumber.
Plastics with codes #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7 are generally tougher to recycle and are not universally collected by local recycling programs. LDPE, which is used to create most soft plastic products, is identified by the number 4. It is a lightweight plastic that is less toxic than other plastics, making it popular for food use. However, due to its flimsy nature, it is often only used for single-use applications. PP, identified by the number 5, is another lightweight plastic that is known for its excellent heat resistance, making it popular for use in takeaway containers. PVC, identified by the number 3, is a durable plastic that is commonly used in construction, plumbing, and transport. While it is reusable and recyclable, it is not as safe for food use as it has been known to leach chemicals over time.
Number 6 plastic includes polycarbonates (PC) and multi-resin and mixed plastic items such as electronic equipment, glasses frames, and plastic brick toys. These plastics are difficult to recycle, especially through conventional methods. Finally, number 7 plastic is a catch-all category for plastics that do not fit into the other resin codes.
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Plastics with numbers 1 and 2 are easily recycled
The numbers on plastic items are resin identification codes (RICs) that indicate the type of plastic the material is made of. They are usually found inside a small triangle made of arrows, known as the recycling symbol. However, the presence of this symbol does not necessarily indicate that the product can be recycled; it is the number inside the triangle that matters.
Plastics with the numbers 1 and 2 are the most common types of plastic containers and are the most easily recyclable. Type 1 plastic, also known as PET or PETE, is used for water bottles, soda bottles, cooking oil containers, and plastic peanut butter jars. It can be recycled but should not be reused due to the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. Type 2 plastic, or HDPE, is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and detergent containers. It is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted by most recycling companies worldwide. Both types 1 and 2 plastics may be tossed into standard recycling bins and are likely to have a California Redemption Value (CRV) associated with them.
On the other hand, plastics with numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are generally tougher to recycle and are not always collected by local recycling programs. Type 3 plastic, PVC, is a soft and flexible plastic commonly used for plastic tubing, kids' toys, plastic trays, and furniture. While recycling of PVC is slowly increasing, it is not as widely accepted by consumer recyclers. Type 4 plastic is used for produce and grocery bags, which should not be put into recycling bins as they can get tangled in recycling equipment. Type 7 plastic is the most challenging to recycle and is often made from multiple plastic types that are difficult to recycle.
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LDPE is used for soft plastics
The numbers on plastic items are resin identification codes, indicating the type of plastic the material is made of. For example, LDPE plastic is classified under recycling number 4, and HDPE is number 2.
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a soft, flexible, lightweight plastic material. It is used for most soft plastic products globally and is known for its low-temperature flexibility, toughness, and corrosion resistance. LDPE is also less toxic than other plastics, making it popular for food use. It is often used for orthotics and prosthetics, and its flexibility makes it a good choice for pediatric AFOs and flexible socket interfaces.
LDPE is a challenging plastic to recycle. Its flimsy nature makes it difficult to sort from other materials, and it is not accepted in kerbside collections. However, it can be upcycled into fence posts or other materials. LDPE is softer and more flexible than HDPE, with a lower melting point and greater transparency. It is more prone to cracking under pressure and stress.
HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted worldwide. It is frequently used for non-food bottles (such as shampoo or soap), vinyl, and pipes. It is also used for food containers like milk and juice cartons. HDPE is more rigid and durable than LDPE and has better chemical resistance.
PVC is another plastic that is durable and resistant to sunlight, water, and other harsh conditions. It is commonly used in construction, plumbing, and transport. However, it is not suitable for food use as it may leach chemicals over time.
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HDPE is accepted worldwide for recycling
The numbers on plastic items are resin identification codes, indicating the type of plastic the material is made of. They do not necessarily mean that the product is recyclable or recycled.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a popular plastic type due to its strength and flexibility. It is commonly referred to as polyethylene and is slightly different from low-density polyethylene (LDPE). HDPE is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide because it is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle. It is important to recycle HDPE to help protect the planet and save money on plastic disposal.
HDPE is used to make a variety of products, including milk and shampoo bottles, pipes, and wheelie bins. All forms of HDPE are recyclable, including bottles, bags, tanks, films, offcuts, and sheets. However, they are often separated by type as the recycling machinery can differ. For example, plastic bags must be clean and free of debris to be recycled, and not all recycling facilities accept them.
The process of recycling HDPE involves sorting, cleaning, separating, shredding, melting, and creating new products. After being collected and transported to a recycling centre, HDPE products are sorted into clean and contaminated batches. The contaminated HDPE is then rigorously cleaned to remove any contaminants and ensure high-quality material. Further sorting ensures no other polymers are present, and near-infrared radiation (NIR) techniques are used to separate any non-HDPE plastic. The HDPE is then shredded and melted down to refine the polymer, cooled, and formed into pellets. Finally, these pellets are used to create new HDPE products.
Despite being a relatively easy plastic to recycle, some countries are still struggling to achieve high recycling rates. For example, while India, Europe, and South Korea have recycling rates higher than 50%, countries like the US and China have lower rates.
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PVC is durable but not widely recycled
The numbers on plastic items are not related to their recyclability. Instead, they are resin identification codes that indicate the type of plastic the material is made of. For example, plastics with the numbers 1 (PETE) and 2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled, while plastics with the numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are harder to recycle and may not be accepted by local recycling programs.
Now, regarding PVC (polyvinyl chloride), it is important to note that it is a durable and versatile material used in a wide range of applications, such as pipes, cables, flooring, and packaging. It is known for its durability, resistance to chemicals, heat, water, and moisture. However, PVC is not widely recycled, and there are several reasons for this:
Firstly, PVC recycling is complex due to the additives used in its production, such as plasticizers, stabilizers, and fillers. These additives can alter the properties of PVC, making the recycled material less suitable for certain applications. Additionally, PVC waste is often contaminated with other materials, such as adhesives, paints, or metals, which further complicates the recycling process and requires extensive cleaning.
Secondly, there is a lack of infrastructure for PVC recycling in many places. Most PVC is not collected through kerbside recycling programs, and specialized facilities are needed to properly recycle it. Even in Europe, where the rate of PVC recycling is relatively high, only about 27 percent is recycled.
Thirdly, there are environmental and health concerns associated with PVC recycling. PVC can release harmful chemicals when melted down during the recycling process, which can be detrimental to the environment and human health. Additionally, the mechanical grinding of PVC can release microplastics into the air, which can have unknown impacts on ecosystems and human health.
Despite these challenges, it is important to note that PVC recycling is possible and slowly increasing. There are ongoing developments in recycling technology, such as innovative sorting methods, additive-free PVC production, and chemical recycling innovations, which hold promise for improving PVC recyclability. Additionally, recycled PVC has been successfully used to produce a wide range of composites, and it is suitable for recycling even when mixed with various compositions.
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Frequently asked questions
The numbers on plastic indicate the type of plastic the material is made from. This is known as the ASTM International Resin Identification Coding System (RIC).
RIC is a classification system established by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) in 1988. It helps consumers and recyclers properly dispose of and recycle different kinds of plastic.
Not necessarily. The presence of a code on a plastic product does not indicate whether it is recyclable or not. Plastics with #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics. Plastics #3, #4, #5, #6 and #7 are tougher to recycle and are not universally collected in local recycling programs.
PET plastic, found in most water bottles, is recyclable but not meant to be reused. HDPE is used to make milk jugs, toys, and plastic lumber. It is both reusable and one of the most easily recycled plastic polymers.
LDPE is used to create most soft plastic products and is less toxic than other plastics. However, it is often only used for single-use applications. PVC is a durable plastic used in plumbing pipes, pool toys, and vinyl records. It is reusable and recyclable but less frequently recycled.
